County Decides to Seek Sales Tax - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

County Decides to Seek Sales Tax

Language that would be placed on the November ballot asking voters in Ward County to approve funding for new construction the ease the space crunch issue faced by county officials is one step closer to being complete.

    Tuesday, a committee charged with providing direction to the Ward County Commission recommended a plan that would establish a half cent sales tax in the county for 10 years -- with the hopes of bringing in about 35 million dollars or more to complete a new building -- a jail expansion -- renovations at the courthouse, plus provide funds that could be used for infrastructure around the county.
    The County Commission approved the plan -- but that doesn't mean it is finalized yet.
    Over the next 20 days, tweaks can be made...and it will take one more vote before the deadline at the end of August to appear on the November ballot.

 (John Fjeldahl) "It is a step we have to take one way or another.  If the voters turn this down we can't ignore this anymore.  With the Sheriff, Judicial, rent...we have to move one way or another either by building and funding it this way or purchasing a current property...which still requires funding."

    There was concern at placing a dollar figure in the ballot language because the thought was it would scare voters away from support, so as written today no total number would be included.