AFP-North Dakota Supports “Dickinson Watchdogs” in Fight to Lower Local Property Taxes

Local Stadium Plans Would Make Property Tax Relief Difficult

DICKINSON, ND. – The North Dakota Chapter of Americans for Prosperity today announced its support of the local taxpayer group, Dickinson Watchdogs, in its fight to lower local property taxes.

“Dickinson local elected officials have an opportunity to reduce property taxes, but instead, they are choosing to spend tax dollars,” said AFP-North Dakota State Policy Director Dustin Gawrylow. “A stadium may very well be a good thing for the community, but with all the talk of high property taxes, this seems like a very inopportune time to be creating more costs for taxpayers.”

So far, Stark County has committed $500,000 to the stadium effort, the Dickinson School District has committed $300,000 to the effort, and voters on November 4 will decide if the city should pony up $6 million via the existing sales tax toward construction of the new stadium.

“We have argued in Fargo and Grand Forks that funds from existing and new sales taxes should be utilized for the sole purpose of local property tax reductions,” Gawrylow continued.  “When local officials would rather seek out new ways to spend current revenue sources than to reduce the tax everyone is complaining about, there is a problem.”

AFP-North Dakota has contended that local plans for sales tax increases, and retention of current sales can only be justified for the purpose of lowering local property taxes in a revenue neutral manner.

“The outcome of this vote in Dickinson may very well determine the state legislature’s future efforts to help local governments out on the property tax issue,” said Gawrylow. “If the residents of Dickinson approve a plan that prevents their property taxes from being reduced at the local level, they will find a tough audience at the state legislature.”

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org