Property Tax Information - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Property Tax Information

Lawmakers have passed more than $750 million in property tax relief in the past three legislative sessions.

But have you noticed?

Many residents say no.

But House Bill 1242 if passed, would show property owners exactly how much the state has contributed to their property taxes.

The amount of relief would be shown on property tax statements.

Cass County is the only county in the state that is doing something similar.

Representative Ben Koppleman says the purpose is for residents to clearly see where their property tax has been and the state's relief efforts.

(Rep. Ben Koppleman / (R) West Fargo) "The concept is just so they can say, over recent history, I have received a ton of money, relief, from the legislature. And if I still have a problem with the amount my taxes are going up, then I should seek out those who are levying my taxes, those we elect. And say, hey why are you raising my taxes? And decide if I approve of that or not."

Supporters say the average resident doesn't understand the concept of a mill levy or mills, so saying the number of mills taxes decreased has little meaning.

They say showing the relief in dollars and cents would help make the property tax system more understandable.

No one testified in opposition to the bill, however Terry Traynor with the North Dakota Association of Counties says the group is concerned with how the bill may impact the work load for county auditors.