Pelican Rapids council approves $5,000 tax abatement for twin-home developer

Pelican Rapids — The Pelican Rapids City Council on Feb. 24 approved Resolution 2026-03, granting a $5,000 property tax abatement for up to five years for a twin home built by Mike Carlson of Develop Pelican.

The decision followed a brief public hearing recessed from the regular council meeting. Danielle, a city staff member who spoke during the hearing, said the developer completed the required paperwork before construction and that the county recently assigned the parcel number needed to finish the application. "What, um, they what they're asking council to consider would be tax for $5,000 for up to five years, whichever happens first," Danielle said.

No members of the public were present to comment during the hearing. After reconvening the council meeting at about 6:04 p.m., council members moved and seconded adoption of the resolution; the council approved the item by voice vote and the clerk recorded the result as "motion carried." The transcript records the vote as a voice vote with affirmative responses but does not list an individual roll-call tally.

Why it matters: The abatement reduces the developer's property tax obligation by $5,000 and will be applied for up to five years under the terms described in the applicant's documentation; city staff said the paperwork complies with the normal process and that this request mirrors a prior abatement granted for a similar property.

Next steps: The resolution was adopted at the meeting; the council did not record additional conditions or further study. Any changes to the approved abatement would require a subsequent council action.