Walaker Supports Extension Of Sales Tax For Flood Protection

If Fargo voters do not approve an extension of the half cent city sales tax for flood protection and infrastructure in next month's primary, Mayor Dennis Walaker said they will be voting on it again soon.

 

 

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If Fargo voters do not approve an extension of the half cent city sales tax for flood protection and infrastructure in next month's primary, Mayor Dennis Walaker said they will be voting on it again soon.

"If it fails, and I don't want to go there, if it fails, I'll guarantee one thing, they'll have another opportunity in November," said Walaker.
 

Walaker said the $10 million to $11 million the sales tax would raise annually for the next 20 years is needed to finish protecting the city to 44-and-a-half feet, and that is not cheap.

"They're talking about $247 million to do that. No matter how you cut that, that's an awful lot of money. To restrict the efforts that have been made today, and the projects that are sitting there waiting for funding, I think is poor public policy."

Fargo City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn voted against placing the measure on the ballot. He said Walaker's comments sound like a threat.

According to Piepkorn, revenue from Fargo's existing sales tax should be enough to pay for flood protection and infrastructure needs.

The measure needs 60 percent approval to pass.

(KFGO file photo)

 

Don Haney

   

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