Fargo Voters To Decide Tax Increases For Fargodome Remodel and CVB Convention Center Project

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo voters will get the chance to vote on two tax increases in November.

City commissioners unanimously approved putting a quarter cent, 20-year sales tax to remodel Fargodome on the ballot.

It would not be for a convention center.

Last December, voters rejected the plan to add one and remodel the dome at a cost of $140 million.

It needed 60% approval, but received just under 52%.

The dome hosts NDSU Bison football games and the athletic director is in favor of this new effort to remodel the dome.

“People don’t just consume games and events and concerts the way they did 30 years ago. They expect more. They want better. So this renovation is the answer,” said Matt Larson the NDSU Athletic Director.

Commissioners also unanimously approved adding a 3% hotel-motel tax to the November ballot.

Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Charley Johnson says the tax would almost be paid entirely by visitors to the community.

If passed, the city commission would lead the process to build a convention center.

“If passed commissioners would establish a committee to do a request for proposal process seeking a public-private partnership for the project. If passed the city would not begin collecting the new hotel-motel tax until and unless a project was identified and approved by the city commission,” Johnson told the commission.

Since it isn’t a sales tax, the measure only needs 50% approval to pass.

The election will be held on November 5.