Breaking news tonight from the Burleigh County Commission.
On a unanimous 5-0 vote, Burleigh County Commissioners voted to deny the request by the City of Bismarck for letter of support to extend the Bismarck Renaissance Zone past the May 1st, 2016 expiration date.
For taxpayers in Bismarck and Burleigh County this is a HUGE victory in the name of tax fairness and against discriminatory tax policies that amount to little more than corporate welfare.
If you live in Bismarck or Burleigh County, please contact your county commissioners by visiting their contact information page and tell them to stand their ground!
They are certain to get pressure from the city and special interest groups to reverse this decision. There are many developers that will not like this action as it cuts off a primary tax incentive subsidy for their projects. But Bismarck and Burleigh County taxpayers now know that their county commission is willing to do the right thing. Be sure to thank them and support them for this decision.
Tell them you have their backs!
For those of you not in Bismarck or Burleigh County, keep an eye on this issue and how you community reacts when it comes time for their Renaissance Zone to be renewed or expanded. The state legislature pass SB 2329 last year to allow cities to massively expand this corporate welfare program.
More updates on this will be issued if needed.