West Fargo City Commissioner expresses relief after voters approve sales tax hike

(Fargo, ND) -- A West Fargo city commissioner is expressing relief after voters approved a sales tax increase, with the additional funds going toward police and fire services.

"We didn't want to keep increasing property taxes to pay for this, so that is why we came up with this idea of increasing sales tax instead. But of course not everybody is going to agree with that, so I think that's why it was a bit controversial and close. But I think it really was good that it passed," said City Commissioner Mandy George. 

George says she thinks "it's the right thing for the city". She realizes not everyone agrees with her, but says the city has grown so fast that funding needed for police and fire is exceeding what the city can raise through property taxes. The measure implementing the half cent sales tax hike passed by one percentage point. The measure is expected to generate up to $2.4 million dollars next year. 

"I had no idea if it would pass or not. I'm glad it did," said George. 

Original Air Date: 
Thursday, November 10, 2022