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Attorney for MLGC objects to consent-agenda assessment; county staff points to abatement process
Summary
An attorney representing MLGC/Griggs County Telephone asked the commission to reconsider an assessment of part of MLGC’s Kindred property, arguing state statute 57-34-11 exempts telecom property; county equalization staff said the proper route is a formal abatement process and requested evidence of underground infrastructure.
During a pause in the agenda to allow public comment, attorney Michael Suter told the Cass County commission that MLGC, LLC (and parent Griggs County Telephone) opposes a consent-agenda item assessing a portion of its Kindred property. Suter said aerial photos cited by the county do not show the full picture, that MLGC operates telecommunications infrastructure including underground fiber, and that North Dakota Century Code chapter 57-34 (specifically 57-34-11) provides tax treatment that should exempt telecommunications property from the type of property tax assessment being proposed.
County staff (Matt Stamness of the equalization department) said the item likely should have been on the regular agenda, described the county’s equalization work already completed, and advised that the formal abatement process (filed through the county auditor and routed through local boards when required) is the correct administrative route to resolve the dispute. Stamness requested evidence from the property owner showing underground infrastructure and said abatement proceedings could be initiated immediately (tax years 2024 and 2025 are closed but the abatement process can start). He said the county would work with the property owner and report back.
The commission paused the consent agenda to allow the exchange; no formal change to the consent agenda occurred during the meeting, and staff said they would proceed with the abatement review if the owner files and provides supporting evidence.
