Home Rule Charter language approved, sent to GF Co. Commission

The Grand Forks County Commission will decide August 16 whether to put the question of a Home Rule Charter to a public vote.

Home Rule would give the county more leeway on adopting laws and policies – and open potential revenue streams like a local sales tax.

Today (Thu), the Commission’s Home Rule Committee unanimously approved final language of the Charter, including two possible questions on the Nov. 8^th ballot.

The first would ask if the County should approve a Home Rule charter.

County administrator Tom Ford says the second question would ask if the charter should include a half-cent sales tax, with “60 percent… dedicated to the financing of expansion, renovation, construction, acquisition and maintenance of infrastructure needs of Grand Forks County including a…County correctional center, juvenile detention center and law enforcement center; 20 percent dedicated to property tax relief; and 20 percent dedicated to … County roads, bridges an culverts, and providiong for a sunset of Dec. 31, 2048.”

A recent survey showed 65 percent agreed or strongly agreed that the County should proceed with home rule. Thirty-seven percent said they would support a half-cent sales tax, while 42 percent said they would support no tax.

The county jail and juvenile detention center are strained by aging issues, and the Sheriff’s Office needs a new home.