(FARGO) – After much discussion, the Fargo City Commission narrowly voted to pass a one-quarter of one percent sales tax question onto the voters in November. The funds from the tax would benefit Fargo’s fire and police departments.
“We’ve seen an increase in the population size and calls for service,” said Eric Eisenlohr, President of the Fargo Firefighters Local 642. “As the city grows, the needs grow as well.”
Eisenlohr told commissioners that three areas of community concern, to the department, are being able to maintain departmental growth along with city growth, being able to hire and maintain employees and being able to maintain a high level of response capabilities based on budgetary restrictions. Over the past 10 years, 101 personnel have been hired. Additionally, 23 positions have been added.
Eisenlohr said the one-quarter of one-percent sales tax would generate an estimated eight million dollars annually. West Fargo, he said, recently passed a one-half of one percent tax for police and fire. Funds from the tax would be used to offset the costs of operations, equipment and building expenses – and would provide a benefit to recruitment and retention to both the fire and police staff.
“We have seen a large turnover on the fire department in recent years,” he said.
Fargo City Commissioner and Deputy Mayor Denise Kolpack said the intention of the discussion is not to pit one department against another.
“There is added pressure around the market of a different focus on public safety by other communities who are able to pay more in salaries and benefits,” she said.
Commissioner Michelle Turnberg commended those involved ‘for not just complaining but coming up with an action.’
Commissioner Dave Piepkorn called the move ‘sefish,’ saying the notion pointed to other departments as being ‘clearly not that important.’
He also reflected on the many years of the fire department’s existence.
“You’re taking advantage of what generations of firefighters built,” Piepkorn said. “This will change their perspective of you.”
Mayor Tim Mahoney said the topic hadn’t been discussed with the Finance and City Administration departments, and that he questions the tax.
“I don’t know why we want to add another (quarter-cent) sales tax to the public,” he said.
He also pointed to the addition of three police officers two years ago and putting ‘a considerable amount of capital’ into the fire department.
“I would just argue to wait until 2026, it would be a better time,” Mahoney said. “I think sometimes people get tired of taxes.”
Separate taxes for the FARGODOME renovation and construction of convention space are already on the November agenda.
City Commissioner John Strand said the issue is ongoing every year.
“I’m embarrassed that our cops and firefighters, employees and workforce, need to come up with creative ways to fund their livelihoods,” he said. “I apologize that this is the best you can come up with, that this is where you’re deciding to go to the public, because we’re not delivering.”
The Commission voted 3-2 to bring the vote to the November election, with Mahoney and Piepkorn voting against the issue.
