Minot council rejects property‑tax exemption for child‑care centers; approves Shirley Court lighting, sets special election date

Acting Mayor Mark Janser presided over the Minot City Council’s regular meeting on Monday, April 21, where the council rejected a proposed property‑tax exemption for child‑care centers, authorized the city to fully fund replacement lighting on Shirley Court, and set a special election date to fill the vacant mayor’s seat.

The council also closed a public hearing and directed staff to proceed with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement planning process; heard a detailed presentation from Finance Director Dave Lakefield on a new, more transparent budget process; and received a report from a committee that reviewed the city’s retail liquor‑license cap.

The vote that drew the most public attention was on a proposed resolution to exempt child‑care centers from property tax. Dozens of residents, church leaders and child‑care operators spoke at the public hearing, urging the council to approve a temporary exemption to help centers cope with tight margins and workforce pressures. Opponents argued the city would simply shift the tax burden onto other property owners or that the exemption was too broad.

“Please do what I see is the right thing. Vote in favor of families, in favor of churches, and in favor of our future,” said Steve Oster, a lifelong Minot resident and church representative, during public comment. Sarah Saye, who identified herself as an owner of two child‑care centers in Minot, told the council that a sudden tax bill “would be a big burden” on low‑income families who rely on the centers and on centers’ already thin financial margins.

City Assessor Ryan Kamrowski told the council that his office would review exemption applications under North Dakota Century Code §57‑02‑08 and that the assessor would tax only the square footage used for child care if a facility did not qualify for an exemption. Kamrowski said his office would notify property owners in June, review submissions through the summer and that any change could surface on tax bills issued later in the year.

After roughly an…