Fargo residents approve sales tax

Voters in North Dakota's largest city have approved the extension of a half-cent sales tax to fund infrastructure and flood protection in a narrow vote that likely falls just short of requiring an automatic recount.

The Fargo measure passed by an unofficial 63 votes Tuesday, out of nearly 22,000 that were cast. City Auditor Steve Sprague tells The Forum newspaper that a recount would have been required had the margin been 55 votes.

The results must still be certified as official.

The half-cent sales tax expires this month. If the vote results stand, the tax will return Jan. 1 and last for 20 years, generating an estimated $11 million per year initially.