"Ramsey County's third effort at a viable financing plan for a new $1.1 billion Minnesota Vikings stadium won't be ready too soon, Commissioner Tony Bennett said Monday.

"We're working on it. It won't be early in the week," he said, adding that the plan might not be ready until next week.

Sen. Julie Rosen, R- Fairmont, gave the county a deadline of last Friday to present a new plan. County officials couldn't work that fast and plan architect, county finance director Lee Mehrkens, was off late in the week.

The county last summer put forward the first plan: a proposal to increase the county sales tax by a half percentage point to support the issuance of $350 million in bonds. St. Paul City Hall didn't like the plan, nor did legislators who wanted a citizens' referendum. A referendum is likely to scuttle the project."