If you build a new home in the right place, you can save hundreds of dollars in property taxes.

That's because the state allows up to $150,000 to be deducted from the value of a new home for property tax purposes for two years.

It's only available in cities and counties that participate in the program - but many do.

The amount of the deduction was recently raised by the state legislature to the current $150,000 level.

But some counties and towns have kept the deduction at the old level of $75,000.

That's the question facing Minot's City Council Monday keep the deduction at $75,000, or double it.

The head of the Minot Association of Builders spoke to a committee this week, encouraging the higher deduction.

(Joel Feist, Minot Assoc. of Builders) "The home building industry in the Minot area is an important industry. It helps with the new home sales. I think it brings more homes on line, it helps people make a decision to get into a new home, it creates a lot of jobs, a lot of tax base for the city of Minot, and continuously provides additional income to the city of Minot coffers and the Ward County coffers."


The committee voted to keep the deduction at $75,000.

But the issue will be considered by the full city council Monday. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list