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WEST FARGO — Voters here narrowly approved a ballot measure Tuesday, Nov. 8, that will add a half-cent to West Fargo's sales tax structure.
Late Tuesday night, the measure appeared to pass, with 50.3% of voters approving the idea and 49.7% opposed.
The measure, which was designed to support the city's police and fire services, was geared to increase the city portion of sales tax from 2% to 2.5%.
The measure has the potential to generate up to $2.4 million in 2023.
The West Fargo City Commission voted in August to place the half-cent sales tax on the Nov. 8 ballot.
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When the half cent that was approved by voters Tuesday night is added to West Fargo's existing sales tax structure, the change will result in West Fargo's total sales tax becoming the highest in the metro area, increasing from 7.5% to 8%.
In Fargo, the rate of sales tax including state and county taxes amounts to 7.5%. Moorhead's sales tax is 7.38%.
The West Fargo measure was intended to add additional staff to the police and fire departments.
City officials have said using a sales tax to pay for public safety could eliminate some use of property taxes for that purpose.
However, officials have not offered any guarantees that property taxes would be reduced in upcoming years.
Officials said the half-cent sales tax boost approved by voters Tuesday is not intended to fund additional police school resource officers.
