City staff told the Stark County Commission on Sept. 4 that the Dickinson City Commission is drafting a resolution to place a 1% public-safety sales tax on the June ballot, estimating roughly $7 million a year in new revenue and proposing to split proceeds 80% to the city and 20% to the county.

City representative Mr. Dossinger, who addressed the commission, said the measure would follow North Dakota sales tax rules about taxable items and that motor-vehicle purchases are not included under state law. He said the city would draft the formal resolution and asked the county to consider its position once the city has a finalized proposal. “We got approved at the last city commission meeting for discussion to move forward with it,” Dossinger told commissioners; he said he expected to return in October with a formal resolution for the county’s consideration.

Commissioners asked how the county’s share could be used. Dossinger said county funds would come to the county commission to spend on public-safety needs such as the sheriff’s department, rural fire departments, jail needs, emergency management and EMS. Commissioners discussed options for using county proceeds to offset property taxes or reduce sheriff’s budget allocations. “If we can focus on that thing, I think I would certainly listen to that conversation,” Chairman Messer said, noting public interest in reducing property taxes when new sales tax revenue arrives.

Commissioners also discussed the proposed split and asked whether the city and county might negotiate a different allocation; Dossinger said staff suggested 80/20 but that city and county officials could negotiate allocation and that the city was aware of other county funding commitments such as airport support and possible library requests.

The city representative confirmed the timetable: the ballot measure would go on the June primary ballot after the city drafts and approves a resolution. Commissioners asked for the city to return to the county with a formal resolution and more detailed information on taxable items and proposed county uses; Dossinger said he expected to return in October.