By Jennifer Vogel, Minnesota Public Radio News

In the summertime, tourists descend upon the small, southeastern Minnesota city of Lanesboro and triple its official population of 754. Those visitors put wear and tear on the water and sewer systems and the roads.

City Administrator Bobbie Jo Vickerman reasons that it hardly seems fair that local residents should foot the entire bill for repairs.

That’s why, as of Jan. 1, businesses will begin to charge a half-cent local sales tax on goods they sell, a move overwhelmingly supported by residents in a recent referendum.

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