Eddy County Tax Equalization Meeting held

As part of the taxpayer appeal process required by the state of North Dakota, the Eddy County Board of Equalization held the Eddy County Tax Equalization meeting on Tuesday, June 5. This meeting was part of an informal appeals process which offers taxpayers the opportunity to appeal the current year’s assessment of property. To begin this appeals process, a taxpayer would first contact the local tax assessor before April 1 and the local boards (township, city or district) by the second week in April. Once these steps are complete, taxpayers may appeal to the county board, which meets during the first ten days in June.

Eddy County Tax Director Kristy O’Connor presented a tax equalization report to the Eddy County commissioners and explained that this year’s sales of commercial lots presented challenges during the tax assessment and equalization process. O’Connor worked with state officials and other county tax directors in order to give a reasonable assessment. O’Connor informed the commissioners that the 2018 assessments for the City of New Rockford and the City of Sheyenne were approved by their respective boards of equalization.

The value of agricultural land in Eddy County increased from $524.59 to $543.68. The county soils committee reviewed the land valuations and approved a 2 percent increase in value per the North Dakota State University 2018 assessments. The township boards approved the assessments. O’Connor also said that approximately 3,185 acres of land were inundated, which reduced the valuation by $1,167,595. and the tax assessments by $12,388.

Eddy County Road Superintendent Irvin Loe reported that they will be closing Eddy County Road 7 while replacing culverts. The county crew has been identifying spots that need graveling soon.

Residents have commented that the county roads are in much better condition now that county crews are utilizing the new roller/packer. People are saying the roads are better than they’ve been in a long time.

The small trees in the ditches need spraying before they become a problem.

The commissioners informed Loe of a complaint by a New Rockford citizen. A rock had been shot out of a lawnmower with force, denting his car. He was concerned about his children playing in his yard and how the rock could just as easily have hit one of them. Loe agreed that it was a difficult place to mow because of the loose rock and rough terrain. He said they will spray to kill the weeds rather than continuing to mow there.

Eddy County Auditor, Patty Williams told the commissioners that it was time to look at wage increases for employees, along with cost of living adjustments (COLA). Williams said the Bureau of Labor Statistics recommends a 2.5 percent COLA increase, and Social Security recipients are expected to receive a 2 percent COLA increase. After discussion, the commissioners approved the 2.5 percent COLA increase, plus the additional next step increases, which in most cases would also be 2.5 percent.

Current Eddy County Emergency Manager Kristy O’Connor presented the commissioner with the Eddy County Hazard Mitigation plan, which they reviewed and approved.

In other business, the commissioners reviewed an estimate from Trojan Construction and Seamless Gutters for work on the Social Services building. They also approved a building permit request from T-Mobile to add new antenna and cable to their existing tower and to add a concrete pad or a steel platform, upon which they will build cabinets to house ground equipment. They will not be extending the height of the structure or adding lighting to the tower.

The commission also approved a Gaming Site authorization request from the New Rockford Golf Club for a pull-tab and prize board dispensing device.

The next meeting of the Eddy County commission will be held on Tuesday, June 19 at 8:30 a.m.