VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – During the June 9th Valley City election, a measure will be on the ballot to support or oppose the extension of an existing one-half (1/2) percent sales tax for 15 years.

This sales tax was previously approved by the voters for permanent flood protection with a sunset of December 31, 2047. This advisory vote would approve extending the sales tax 15 years from that date.

The extension is needed to meet the Bank of North Dakota requirements to provide 30 years of funding to match up with 30-year loans needed for permanent flood protection. Again, this is an extension of time only, not an increase in the sales tax.

The city of Valley City began planning efforts and home buyouts for permanent flood protection in 2012. The overall system planned is an estimated 5.7 miles, consisting of a combination of concrete flood walls and clay levees. Construction of Phase I began in 2015 and in the summer of 2020, the city will have completed Phases I, II and III of permanent flood protection, resulting in a total of 1.2 miles of a completed system or approximately 20%. Funding has been secured for construction of Phase IV, tentatively scheduled for completion in late 2021. This would bring the total project complete to approximately 30%.

Barnes County is administering the June 9, 2020 Election. This election will be strictly Vote-By-Mail. Election Ballots will be sent to voters once the County has received your ballot application. If voters do not receive a ballot application in the mail by May 11th, please contact the Barnes County Auditor’s Office at (701) 845-8500 or auditor@barnescounty.us. Please complete the application and return it to the Barnes County Auditor, 230 4th Street NW Room 202, Valley City, ND 58072. The county will have a drop box available in front of the Courthouse on the north side beginning April 30th for people to drop off their ballots, in case they choose not to mail them in.