One West Fargo resident says he isn't totally against a half-cent sales tax in Cass County. He simply wanted to know why special assessments would not work to help pay for the North Dakota diversion.
The half-cent sales tax will be used to raise $220 million for the local share of the flood diversion project.
The man, who did not give his name, was one of about 20 residents who stopped out to Cheney Middle School in West Fargo on Thursday night for the third of four public information meetings scheduled by the county regarding the tax.
County Auditor Mike Montplaisir said that there were three ways to come up with the local share: a city tax in Fargo (a half-cent sales tax was overwhelmingly approved for the project in 2009), a county sales tax or special assessments to property owners.
Special assessments tax property owners based on property value and on a tiered system of proximity to the flood area.
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Using very general calculations, special assessments may be in the range of $200 per year on a $100,000 home.
Whatever the reason, Montplaisier said special assessments were not considered the most viable payment option simply because property cannot be assessed until after the diversion project is completed.
"We would end up borrowing money every year then to help with the cost," Montplaisir said.
Bonding or borrowing money would then drive up the local cost of a diversion project by millions.
West Fargo Mayor Rich Mattern, who has thrown his support behind the sales tax, stressed the impact more flooding could have, not necessarily on West Fargo homes but on residents directly.
"More than 60 percent of the people in West Fargo, that are working work in Fargo," Mattern said.
He added that a lost week of pay due to jobs shutting down during a flood event in Fargo equals a huge loss for any employee.
Cass County Commission Chairman Darrell Vanyo, a West Fargo resident, said the economic impact of flooding in Fargo can be felt across the county.
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"Roughly 70 percent of the county tax base comes from Fargo," Vanyo said.
If you go
- What: Cass County half-cent sales tax informational meeting
- When: 7 p.m. Monday
- Where: Spirit of Life Center, St. Leo's Church, 211 Langer Ave., Casselton
Readers can reach Forum reporter Wendy Reuer at (701) 241-5530
