WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) - City commissioners in Williston are considering imposing a 1 percent dining and lodging tax to fund downtown parking improvements and other upgrades, possibly even paving the way for a convention center.
The state Tax Department estimates a 1 percent tax on restaurant meals, alcohol drinks and hotel rooms could generate $1.2 million per year, the Williston Herald reported (https://bit.ly/Oo9NP2 ).
“The estimate does not factor in additional growth - the city can make assumptions about future growth in these areas,” Tax Department analyst Kathy Strombeck said. “Statewide growth in total taxable sales and purchases is assumed to be approximately 10 percent per year.”
Williston’s population has more than doubled since the 2010 Census because of the oil boom in western North Dakota, with estimates reaching more than 30,000 people.
The City Commission earlier this month approved a 126-page plan to guide development downtown. The plan identifies about 43,000 square feet of ground-level space that’s available for new retail businesses, to go with about 14,500 square feet of commercial and retail space under development.
It also cites challenges to development, such as potential problems with traffic and parking.
The plan was created with the help of a consultant and focus groups that included residents, professionals, developers, business owners, college and high school students, arts volunteers, and city officials and staff.
“These focus groups attempted to determine what was needed in the downtown, what downtown users wanted to see changed and what they thought would make downtown more user-friendly,” City Planner Rachel Ressler said.
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Information from: Williston Herald, https://www.willistonherald.com
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