PROPERTY

Moorhead won’t hold ‘fire sale’ for acquired lots

Officials here are assuring private developers that the city will not be holding a “fire sale” for over 50 undeveloped plots of land acquired by the city last year.

By By Erik Burgess, Forum News Service , April 10, 2013

Proposal would refocus tax breaks

A proposal to revamp North Dakota property tax subsidies would give tax breaks only to a North Dakota resident’s primary home. The Legislature’s Taxation Committee is considering the idea. It may be introduced in the Legislature next year.

March 27, 2012

Letter to the editor: Unfairness of property taxes is the real issue that matters

Lloyd Omdahl’s headline this week was “Tax repeal would create inequities among counties.” Oh really. He talked about the plight of the “spenders” or “takers” at the county level and below. Let me set a visual image for you — it’s like a state candy store, all the public officials from the counties on down are the only ones there, milling around. There is a certain level of stress in that favorite candy jars are low or empty.

By Leon L. Mallberg , September 01, 2011

Tax issues on land can get complicated

In North Dakota, if three siblings, A, B and C, are tenants in common of a section of land, can A and B sell their “shares” to person C without tax penalty to person C? Or does the entire section have to be sold, then repurchased by person C? And in the second case, what tax liability would C incur?

By Teri Finneman , August 15, 2011

Measure would ban all property taxes in N.D.

Backers of a constitutional amendment to abolish North Dakota property taxes believe they have enough petition signatures to put the idea on the ballot, even though the number they thought they needed has risen.

By By Dale Wetzel, The Associated Press , March 26, 2011

Mass. town approves plan to shame property owners

WEBSTER, Mass. (AP) — The health board in a Massachusetts town has approved a plan to shame owners of rundown buildings into fixing and securing their properties.

March 01, 2011

Lawmaker wants cap on N.D. property tax rises

BISMARCK (AP) — North Dakota lawmakers are taking another run at limiting the growth of local property taxes. Fargo Rep. Jim Kasper is asking the North Dakota House’s Finance and Taxation Committee to support 3 percent annual caps on the increase of a landowner’s property tax bill.

February 02, 2011

Letter to the editor: Consider putting an end to property taxes in N.D.

You may have heard of the movement to abolish property tax in North Dakota. Some have looked at the idea with excitement; some are confused, while others have concerns. Whatever your initial take on the matter, it’s safe to say that you probably never had a chance to vote on whether your property will be taxed. That all could soon change.

By Eldon Stahl , May 28, 2010

Property tax initiative OK’d

Supporters of abolishing North Dakota property taxes may begin gathering petition signatures to put the idea on the ballot. Secretary of State Al Jaeger has approved the ballot initiative for circulation. It would change the North Dakota Constitution to eliminate property taxes, starting in January 2012.

March 31, 2010

Letter to the editor: Jamestown setting example on property tax relief

It seems the Jamestown City Council has decided that tax dollars are better spent on infrastructure than on corporate welfare programs (euphemistically called economic development). A quick economics lesson: economic development is a form of “rent-seeking.” Instead of looking for private investors to build a local economy, businesses and community interests join forces to draw out public dollars from taxpayers as a way to fund projects that would normally be funded by venture capital. Venture capital is simply start-up investment funding, it does not have to be from large out-of state firms. So-called “economic development corporations” have been popping up like weeds.

By Dustin Gawrylow , March 23, 2010

Measure would abolish N.D. property taxes in 2012

A proposed constitutional amendment would abolish property taxes in North Dakota, starting in 2012.

March 17, 2010

Bismarck Bobcat properties for sale

Bobcat Co. has put three Bismarck properties up for sale. The company closed its manufacturing plant in the city in December. Bobcat spokeswoman Laura Ness Owens said the three properties being sold are the main factory, a smaller manufacturing building nearby and two acres of land northeast of the site.

March 08, 2010

It’s true: Property taxes are unfair

A group of angry citizens, “Empower the Taxpayer,” has embarked on a crusade to initiate a measure for a vote of the people on the question of repealing all property taxes in North Dakota. They claim that the property tax is unfair. They are absolutely right.

By Lloyd Omdahl, columnist , March 01, 2010

Letter to the editor: What would it be like without property taxes?

Have you ever thought what it would be like if you did not have to pay property taxes?

By Keith Colville , February 16, 2010

Minn. man accused of red pine damage

A 51-year-old Backus, Minn., man has been charged with first-degree criminal damage to property for driving 6-inch nails into about 500 red pine trees that were sold at auction.

By By Bethany Wesley, Forum Communications Co. , December 08, 2009