CHAMBER JOINS COALITION TO INFORM NORTH DAKOTANS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPERTY TAX
Media Contact:
Anna Nelson
701-570-0747
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2024
CHAMBER JOINS COALITION TO INFORM NORTH DAKOTANS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPERTY TAX
Williston, N.D. - The Williston Area Chamber of Commerce (WACC) has joined the Keep It Local Coalition to oppose the proposed initiated ballot measure seeking to eliminate property tax in North Dakota. The coalition, which consists of more than 60 organizations statewide, including nine chambers, shares a mission of informing North Dakotans about the far-reaching consequences of this measure.
“The passage of a proposed initiated ballot measure to eliminate property taxes would be detrimental to North Dakota residents and businesses. Contrary to its name, it would not eliminate any tax burden but rather shift the tax and fee structure,” said Anna Nelson, President of the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce.
Replacement of the $1.3 billion of property taxes collected annually throughout North Dakota would have to come from our state, taking away the local control we have always enjoyed and setting us up for a tax war. Most concerning for the Bakken, this replacement funding would likely come from the Gross Production Tax, resulting in significantly decreased funding for the communities and infrastructure in the oil-producing counties that generate this revenue.
Currently, property taxes fund vital public services, including schools, police and fire departments, ambulance services, road maintenance and snow removal, public parks, and libraries, all of which often have no or limited ways of raising operational funds outside of property taxes.
If the measure were to pass, instead of local officials listening to the concerns of their constituents and ensuring their annual budget fits the needs of the community, local government will need to go to the state legislature to request funds for a new school, additional firefighters, a sewer system, a police station, roads, etc.
The Keep It Local Coalition urges North Dakotans to consider the ramifications of this proposed measure and to support efforts to preserve local control and maintain the quality of life in their communities.
For more information on the Keep It Local campaign, visit https://www.keepitlocalnd.org or follow us on Facebook [keepitlocalnorthdakota], Twitter [keepitlocalnd] and LinkedIn [Keep it Local ND].
For media inquiries or for more information, please contact:
Anna Nelson, WACC President: anna.nelson@willistonchamber.com, 701-570-0747 (c), 701-577-6000 (o)
Thank you for your consideration.
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