City Of Mandan Proves That The Problem With Property Taxes Is Local Control
Back during the debate over Measure 2, which would have abolished property taxes if approved by voters on the June ballot, opponents calling themselves “Keep It Local ND” won the argument by suggesting that property taxes ought to be something local governing entities control.
The problem is that property taxes are such a cause of consternation in North Dakota because local governing entities do a horrendous job of controlling them. Case in point, the City of Mandan. As I posted yesterday, the city has been considering giving a property tax exemption to Walmart which is planning on building a store in the community. Walmart doesn’t need the exemption. They’re going to build in the community regardless of whether or not they get a property tax exemption, but some in city leadership want to give it to them anyway.
And it turns out that Walmart will get their exemption. The city approved a 2-year, 100% property tax exemption. A SAB reader who was in the room says the exemption passed by a 3 – 2 vote, with the other 2 commissioners favoring a partial exemption which would have lasted for 5 years.
According to the Bismarck Tribune report, the Walmart is expected to pay roughly $201,000 in property taxes per year once the exemption is over, meaning this exemption represents about $402,000 in property tax burden all the property owners in Mandan who didn’t get a special deal from the city council must pay.
This is shameful. Not even the flimsy excuse of “economic development” applies here. This is nothing other than elected leaders handing out special deals because they can.
Tags: mandan, North Dakota News, walmart
