Grand Forks Fire Chief Gary Lorenz will be in Bismarck on Monday for a House Appropriations Committee hearing on a budget bill for the state Information Technology Department.
He'll testify in favor of funding a statewide interoperable radio network for public safety departments across the state. As Fire Chief, Lorenz said he's able to offer real-life experiences where such a radio network would come in handy.
The Senate will have its first hearing in the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee regarding Senate Bill 2275, which complements House Bill 1066, to provide non-oil producing communities in eastern North Dakota with infrastructure funding.
The House Finance and Taxation Committee heard HB 1066 last Tuesday, Jan. 15. Grand Forks City Administrator Todd Feland and Finance Director Maureen Storstad attended that House hearing. During a Friday Legislative Committee meeting, Feland said the city is considering sending representatives to the Senate hearing.
City Assessor Paul Houdek will submit testimony on behalf of the city of Grand Forks for a hearing Thursday, regarding House Bill 1182 to limit increases in property assessments for property tax purposes.
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"Which will inevitably lead to property not being equalized," Houdek said in the city's Friday Legislative Committee meeting. "Some neighborhoods will be undervalued, some neighborhoods will be overvalued."
Houdek and other city officials said they'll keep an eye on other property-related bills, including House Bill 1487 which is related to freezing residential property taxes for eligible seniors.
