No Fargo Property Tax Cut

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Property taxes will not be going down in Fargo.

City commissioners voted against commissioner Tony Gehrig’s proposed 20% cut.

The commission decided not to vote in favor of the reduction because they think public departments may need the money more.

Gehrig says the property tax rate went up 12 percent last year, and he says that’s the highest increase on record.

He also says the city doesn’t need the 12 percent increase to keep up with city services.
 
Chad Bowden is self–employed and does odd jobs like delivering phone books.

He doesn’t agree with Gehrig’s plan to cut property taxes in Fargo.
 
“He should have been more realistic on that. I think five to seven percent might have been more doable,” said Bowden of Fargo.
 
He says the money could be better spent on public services like education.

Jim Lundy has lived in Fargo for over two decades.

He says he wouldn’t mind the extra cash from such a cut.
 
“The less we have to pay in taxes the better it’s going to be but as long as you can keep up with the upkeep that the taxes cover, then fine,” said Lundy of Fargo.
 
During his campaign for the commission seat, Gehrig promised to try and reduce property taxes.

It’s an idea many are leery of.
 
“If they can help the schools out more, that would be way even better. Having four boys of my own you know that’s what I go for,” said Louie Sulaica of Fargo.
 
 
During the vote to cut property tax, Commissioner Mike Williams was the only one to support Gehrig on the cut.

He also said he’s open to exploring the idea more.