Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Most property taxes are up

Most property taxes are up

Dec 12, 2006 - 04:06:22 CST

By GORDON WEIXEL
Bismarck Tribune

It's that time of year again, when the holiday high is tempered by the realization that property taxes are due as signaled by the letters sent out by county treasurers.

Last week, Morton County's statements were sent out, and this week, Burleigh County property owners will be receiving the sobering news on what they owe for the local government services they receive.

While the mills levied were reduced by most governmental jurisdictions with taxing authority, strong increases in property values will likely mean the bottom line on the tax statement will be higher than last year. How much more a taxpayer owes is dependent on property values, which can vary sharply because of a wide variety of factors, including location and improvements.

"Value is the key," according to Burleigh County Auditor-Treasurer Kevin Glatt. "In the city of Bismarck, existing commercial properties increased an average of 9.38 percent, while existing residential properties were increased an average of 8.55 percent. Other areas and other properties values could vary widely."

Morton Auditor Paul Trauger said agriculture land in the Mandan school district was raised 20 percent because voters voted to eliminate the difference between non-ag land, valued at 100 percent, and ag property, which was taxed at 80 percent of its value.

Bismarck residents saw mill levy decreases across the board, with Burleigh reducing its mills by 5.16, Bismarck 4.22, park district 1.16 and school district 6.62.

Looking specifically at one property in Bismarck, which can be described as "average," Glatt provides some idea of what residents can expect in their tax statement. This home is valued at $143,400, slightly higher than the median sales price of $138,600. This property rose in value from $130,400 by 9.97 percent in the past year. It's total taxes went from $2,686.16 in 2005 to $2,841.90 this year.

Of a Burleigh County tax bill for a Bismarck resident, 56 percent goes to the school district, 22 percent to the city, 13 percent to the county and 9 percent to the park district. This is basically the same at it has been since 1998.

In 1998, that same property that Glatt used for his example was put at a market value of $99,000 and paid property taxes of $2,134.42. Since then, it saw a total tax increase of 33.15 percent. By jurisdiction, this property has seen a 24.15 percent increase in its county tax, 26.49 increase in city taxes, 48.6 percent increase in park district taxes and 36 percent in school district taxes.

The city of Lincoln saw a substantial mill levy increase with the city increasing mills, from 59.73 in 2005 to 74.01 this year. A Lincoln home valued at $84,000 in 2005 likely rose to a market value of $96,000 in 2006 and will see its property tax rise from $1,461 charged last year to $1,680 this year. A break-down shows the city tax rose $94, county $2, Lincoln park district $5 and school district $109.

According to Trauger, Mandan's property value increased 7 percent and the rest of the county was about 5 percent. The county mailed out 19,908 statements and is looking to collect $28,156,578. In Burleigh, about 35,000 statements were sent out totalling $82.3 million.

In Mandan, a house valued at $150,000 in 2005 with a 7 percent value increase, would be valued at $160,500 this year and see its taxes increase from $3,520 to $3,766. On a home in the country realizing a 5 percent value increase, the $150,000 home in 2005 has increased to $157,500 and its taxes have gone from $2,907 to $2,955.

Mandan residents paying property tax see 48 percent go to the school district, 32 percent to the county, 13 percent to the city and 4 percent to the park district. The remainder goes to the water district and state.

Property tax payments are due March 1, with a 5 percent discount provided to those paid by Feb. 15. The discount applies to real property and not special assessments.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

Tax man wrote on Dec 12, 2006 3:47 PM:

" I think the idea is to put some guidelines in place to make sure local districts keep property taxes down if they give them more $. "

What?! wrote on Dec 12, 2006 2:01 PM:

" If I were to do an Evaluation of your post, you might get a "C" for stating some (accurate or inaccurate) figures to back up your information. If I were to do a Valuation of your post, it would be worth $0.00. If you don't know what it is you are talking about, don't post. "

Taxes Out of Control wrote on Dec 12, 2006 11:30 AM:

" Beesh is correct. The bismarck's city budget also showed in Aug. that evaluation were up 10% for homes. The city commissioner's report showed that due to less taxable property in Bismarck since 2005 they needed to raise taxes again. I guess we need to pay $24 million for Bobcat expansion for 100 jobs when Grand Forks got 450 jobs and Fargo got 700 jobs last month and didn't pay 24 million for them! They need to quit giving tax deferments to business if they have to keep taxing the public. The school district also received 7 million extra in 2005 from property taxes besides the 20 million tax voters voted for. Parks and Recreation must have had an increase also with higher evaluation. "

CPA wrote on Dec 12, 2006 11:28 AM:

" How do we know that giving additional state aid to local districts would reduce property taxes? What would prevent a local district from keeping property taxes the same and just increasing their budget? "

Dave wrote on Dec 12, 2006 11:22 AM:

" That's what people get when they keep voting in Republicans that promise not to raise taxes. There's always a way around that pledge. "

Hoeven's plan stinks wrote on Dec 12, 2006 10:26 AM:

" I agree with you guys. Hoeven's plan doesn't really do much. Property taxes in Grand Forks went up nearly 14% last year. So what if the governor wants to give a 10% deduction. I would have still had to pay an increase. Hoeven's plan is short sighted. I like what the Dems have to say. The state needs to better fund schools. That's why property taxes have gone up. "

Sick of property taxes wrote on Dec 12, 2006 10:16 AM:

" That's why we need to better fund K-12 Education. Local districts have had to raise property taxes to fund their schools, because the Republicans in the legislature refuse to do anything about it. The governor's plan is a one-time shot. It's not a long-term solution. "

B in Morton wrote on Dec 12, 2006 10:01 AM:

" My taxes just went up about 10% over 2005. I sure as heck didn't get a 10% raise last year. The govenor's property tax relief plan will cut them by about 10%. Hmmmm, I suppose they'll go up 10% next year, so the tax releif will only be holding the line. "

Sick of property taxes wrote on Dec 12, 2006 9:54 AM:

" Because the Republicans in the Legislature refuse to fund schools appropriately, property taxes are going up again. This is getting ridiculous. Republicans are not for tax breaks in this state. "

Beesh wrote on Dec 12, 2006 7:32 AM:

" New business tax deferments get deferred to the property owners. "

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