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Minot council approves Park District half-cent sales tax for primary ballot
Summary
The Minot City Council voted 6–1 to place a half-cent Park District sales tax measure on the primary ballot. Park District presenters said the tax would lower park property tax mills from 38 to 26 and fund maintenance and capital improvements under a 20-year guarantee.
The Minot City Council voted 6–1 on Feb. 2 to place a Park District half-cent sales tax question on the upcoming primary ballot, after Park District representatives presented proposed ordinance and ballot language and answered council questions.
Park District representative Ellie told the council the measure would lower park property tax mills from 38 to 26 — a 12-mill, roughly 40% reduction in the parks general fund mill rate — and provide a 20-year revenue guarantee to fund capital improvements and maintenance across district facilities, including the Roselle Park Zoo, Mesa Arena and Corbett Field. Ellie said the district estimates savings of $155 on a $250,000 home, $248 on a $400,000 home, $404 on a $650,000 home and $528 on an $850,000 home.
"The Minot Park District is proposing a half cent sales tax to provide property tax relief, fund capital improvement projects and maintain our current parks and facilities," the presenter said.
Council discussion centered on distributional effects and local fairness. Alderman Samuelson said he opposed placing the question on the ballot, arguing sales taxes are borne disproportionately by local residents who are already strapped for cash and that the measure shifts tax burden to out-of-town visitors. He stated, "I will be voting no." Alderman Blessum and other council members also raised concerns about consumption taxes hitting low-income households and noted the city's statutory sales-tax authority could approach its limit if other proposals advance.
Council members who supported the decision framed the vote as giving Minot voters the choice. Alderman Olsen said the public had previously rejected a similar measure and "they're bringing it back one more time to give people one more opportunity to vote."
The motion to place the ballot language and ordinance on the primary ballot passed 6–1, with Alderman Samuelson dissenting. The Park District and the City will proceed with the ballot placement; final ballot language and election administration will follow standard county election procedures.
