Red River Floods of 2009

Fargo voters approve flood control tax

by Dan Gunderson, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — Fargo voters overwhelmingly approved a half-cent sales tax Tuesday to fund flood control projects.

The tax increase needed a 60 percent margin to pass, 90 percent of voters said yes.

The half cent sales tax is expected to generate $200 million over 20 years.

Officials don't have a plan yet for permanent flood control, but Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker says the vote shows voters trust city officials to develop a plan.

"Right now it's so easy to be so critical of everything government does," he said. "This is a significant endorsement of the process."

The half cent sales tax takes effect next year.

About 12,700 voters turned out for the special election, a smaller turnout than election officials earlier predicted.