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By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer

CHELSEA – After almost six years of implementing a 1-percent sales and use tax, the city of Chelsea voted to extend it at a regularly scheduled Chelsea City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 1 at Chelsea City Hall.

The city voted to approve an ordinance during the meeting to extend the tax, which generates funds for projects at Chelsea’s five schools.

“I’d like to make sure everyone understands that this is not a new tax,” Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer said. “This is a continuation of the 1-cent sales tax that was passed in October of 2019. It is simply a continuation of that.”

The tax increase was originally approved in August 2019 and was seen to net an estimated $1.5 millions per year, which would be managed by the council but pinned for education.

When the ordinance went into effect, residents and visitors in the city of Chelsea began to pay a total of 10 cents sales tax on every dollar spent in the city, with half of the amount being collected by the city.

After a resident worried that the increased tax amount would turn into a “sports tax,” Picklesimer made sure to let residents know that academic concerns would be prioritized with this matter.

The extension of the sales and use tax rate was favored unanimously by the council, with all five members and the mayor voting “yes.”

In other news, Picklesimer read a proclamation during his report that Friday, April 18 is declared as “Two Lights for Tomorrow Day.” The day signifies the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War and the eventual two-light announcement from Paul Revere of the impending danger that the British soldiers were en route to the countryside. 

The council also approved a proposed resolution aiming to indemnify elected and appointed officials for all claims, litigation matters and proceedings that arise from the performance of any official’s duties.

In addition, the Chelsea City Council passed a motion to approve a proposed resolution that authorizes the Mayor to execute a three-year renewal agreement for an employee assistance program at Uprise Health, which will be provided to the city’s employees for $2,736 per year.