This session, North Dakota continued in its efforts to keep property taxes and basic services local while providing substantial permanent relief to taxpayers and reform to the system.
In recent years, state programs such as the 12 percent property tax buydown have been highly publicized, but provided only short-term relief to taxpayers in prosperous times. It is a program that grows exponentially and puts increased pressure on the general fund.
The most impactful property tax relief offered by the state has been paired with reform through the takeover of programs that typically are funded by local taxing districts-cities, counties and school districts.
Most notably, the state removed more than $1 billion from local property taxes previously levied by local school districts for K-12 education.
This session, the Legislature also relieved local governments of the costs associated with mandated social services programs, freeing up local dollars to pay for local issues.
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When considered together, education and social services property tax relief efforts will total more than $1.36 billion in state-paid contributions in the upcoming biennium. This is 39.1 percent of the amount that would have been the responsibility of North Dakota property owners before 2007.
At the end of the day, permanent reform is more predictable and sustainable for all North Dakotans, and that's what legislators delivered.
Jessica Unruh
Beulah, N.D.
Unruh, a Republican, represents District 33 in the North Dakota Senate.
