Minot council adopts 2026 budget, lowers levy and directs economic-development sales tax to property-tax relief

The Minot City Council adopted the 2026 budget on second reading Tuesday, approving a plan staff described as “just under $217,000,000” while directing that remaining economic-development sales-tax dollars be transferred to the general fund to reduce the city property tax levy.

Councilors passed the ordinance on a 6-1 vote after a lengthy public and council debate and a series of amendments and procedural motions over two evenings of discussion.

Why it matters: Finance Director Lakefield told the council the budget as presented would levy “just over $22,000,000” and, as drafted at first reading, would translate to a city property tax burden of roughly $968 annually for a home at the $249,000 median sale price cited in the assessor’s report. Councilors said the final package balances near-term property tax relief with one-time uses of reserves for capital needs and enterprise equipment purchases.

Major actions and amendments - Sales-tax ordinance (first-penny economic-development change, item 7.1): The council debated competing motions…