Minot voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, June 3, to decide whether to approve a half percent sales tax for Minot Park District.

The Minot City Council voted Monday to set the date and approve an ordinance and ballot language. The 6-1 council vote exceeded the five-vote supermajority needed for passage. Council member Scott Samuelson cast the only vote against.

The park district cannot impose a sales tax except through the city, which has the legal taxing authority. The cost of a special election is roughly estimated at $11,000, according to information provided previously to the council.

If approved by voters, the park district will voluntarily reduce the 38-mill state cap on its general fund to 26 mills for 20 years. The 20 years is a change from the five years originally proposed by the park board. The current annual savings amounts to $135 on a $250,000 home.

According to information provided at a joint park board and city council meeting in November, the park board is estimating it can initially collect $6 million annually from a half percent tax. The tax would be used for construction of a new indoor turf facility next to the Maysa Arena and other park expenses. Once the bonds on the facility are repaid, the tax will remain dedicated to the district’s general fund for operations and future capital projects. The tax would not sunset.

Steve Moen of rural Minot voiced concern with the park board using sales tax to construct a building that he said most residents won’t use.

“I’ll be paying the sales tax, and I have no way to vote on it,” he added. “A lot of people who live out in the country are going to find other places to shop, especially for big ticket items like cars and tractors.”

David Lakefield, city finance director, clarified that the sales tax wouldn’t apply to big ticket items. The city’s current sales tax ordinance restricts the amount of tax that can be collected on purchase of an item.