Hutchinson residents may soon be able to vote on a sales tax proposal that would help fund a $29 million expansion of the city’s 62-year-old sports arena.

A committee of community leaders asked the City Council on Tuesday to put the tax increase up for a public vote in April.

The council didn’t vote on the request but will discuss it at least one more time in January. The Hutchinson News reports the council agreed to let city staff begin drafting a ballot resolution for the group’s consideration.

The proposed renovations would be financed largely by a 0.35 to 0.4 percent increase in the city’s sales tax for about 10 years, or until bonds are paid off. A 0.35 percent increase is expected to generate more than $3 million a year.