The City of Fargo held a special municipal election today with voters deciding whether or not to increase sales and lodging taxes to fund a FARGODOME remodel and the addition of a 90,000-square-foot conference center.
For the tax increases to pass, 60% of voters needed to approve them. That threshold was not met, with only 51.73% of voters supporting the tax increases to fund the FARGODOME Reimagined project, according to preliminary, unofficial election results.
“The people of Fargo have spoken. But the fact remains that the FARGODOME needs critical upgrades and our community needs a conference center. Right now, we cannot compete with neighboring cities in attracting conferences and conventions that would elevate Fargo’s economy and generate tax revenue. We will regroup and decide next steps over the coming months,” Mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney said.
“After years of hearing from people across the community about the lack of a conference center, City Commissioners unanimously voted to give residents the chance to vote on adding one to the FARGODOME. If the project had been approved, out-of-town visitors would have shouldered the majority of the cost of a conference center through a 3% increase to our hotel tax,” Mayor Mahoney added.
Fargo Dome Authority member Dave Suppes noted the efficiencies that would have resulted from attaching a conference center to the FARGODOME.
“While we respect the voters’ wishes, we are certainly disappointed with today’s results. The Fargo Dome Authority remains convinced that including the conference center proposal on this vote was the best option for our community at this point in time. Having this facility on the same site as the FARGODOME would have saved taxpayer money in operating and staffing the entire facility in a time of workforce challenges,” Suppes said. “We should look to Grand Forks, a neighboring community that is improving the amenities at its conference center. We need to be on par with regional cities so we can compete.”
Along with a conference center, the $140 million project would have added restrooms, enhanced crowd circulation and created more concessions and seating options at the City-owned FARGODOME. It would have also updated accessibility in the 31-year-old facility to comply with changes in The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“FARGODOME patrons know the venue needs accessibility updates and more restrooms, especially for women. Without more concessions, the FARGODOME is losing sales revenue,” said FARGODOME General Manager Rob Sobolik. “These updates would have been paid for by FARGODOME users through the facility’s Permanent Fund and by residents and visitors through a 0.25% sales tax increase. We felt that having specific funding sources for the FARGODOME updates and another funding source for the conference center made the most sense for this project.”
A total of 7,968 voters cast ballots (4,122 yes; 3,846 no) in today’s special election, according to the unofficial results. “The City of Fargo wants to acknowledge all the voters who took part in this democratic process. We are listening, and we will have conversations with City Commissioners, Fargo Dome Authority members and facility staff on what this vote means for our community and for the FARGODOME going forward,” said City Administrator Michael Redlinger. “I would like to express my appreciation for the efforts of the City Auditor’s Office and the poll workers who made this election possible.”
On Monday, Dec. 18, the Special Election Canvassing Board will meet to review and certify the results of today’s special election.