Sales tax to improve Fargodome will probably not be adopted, accommodation tax increase tends to be approved – InForum

FARGO — Voters have weighed in on two ballot measures that sought to impact both the city’s sales tax rate and the cost of getting a hotel room in Fargo.

While the prospects for a twenty-year, quarter-cent sales tax intended to fund renovations to the Fargodome — an events center at 1800 N. University Drive — looked bleak, the proposed new lodging tax to fund a convention center was still too close . calling hours after the polls close on Tuesday, November 5.

Proponents of the sales tax for the Fargodome sought to modernize the building, adding more accessible seating, building additional restrooms and improving circulation by growing and offering additional concession options.

The ballot measure needed to gain support from 60% of voters, but preliminary election results show a likely defeat: 52% against and 48% in favor, with more than 49,000 votes counted, which may not include all mail-in results.

This sales tax would have funded $110 million of the project. In addition, the Fargodome planned to contribute $30 million of its savings to the $140 million project.

Fargo Dome Authority Chairman Dave Suppes, Fargodome Director Rob Sobolik and Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney will host a press conference at 9 a.m. Wednesday morning to discuss the outcome of the vote and next steps.

Also on the November ballot was a separate measure promoted by Visit Fargo-Moorhead, asking voters for the green light to

build a large-scale convention center, financed by increasing the city’s hotel tax from 3% to 6%.

The lodging tax measure needed a simple majority, or more than 50%, of voters to pass.

On Tuesday, voters wavered over the decision, but at 10:45 p.m., preliminary election results showed 52% in favor and 48% against. More than 49,000 votes had been counted, which may not include all mail-in results.

If passed, this additional tax would be in effect for 25 years and generate approximately $3 million per year.

“We feel pretty good. If this passes, it will be a good thing for Fargo… if the vote holds and the measure passes, the hard work will begin,” said Charley Johnson, president and CEO of Visit Fargo-Moorhead.

With voter approval, the city of Fargo will begin planning for the new convention center.

The money raised from doubling the lodging tax would be used to help pay for the construction and operation of a $40 million convention center, which could have between 75,000 and 100,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space, as well as an adjacent hotel or hotels with 140,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space. 200 rooms.

This is the second round for both ballot measures.

The proposals were bundled together during a special election last December.

That measure

failed; just under 52% of voters approved it.

The pair both had to pass with a margin of 60%.

After that vote, the two projects parted ways and passed independent ballot measures on this year’s November ballot.

Reporter working the night shift . I cover the Fargo City Council, Cass County Government, and the area’s underserved populations.