The Minot Park Board on Tuesday approved a $14.35 million preliminary budget for 2022 that includes a 6.9% property-tax increase.

The park district’s current 43.13 mills would go to 45.66 mills, amounting to a $22.77 increase in 2022 on a $200,000 home.

“We have not increased our general fund levy since 2016,” said Parks Director Ron Merritt. The only increase came with the absorption of the City of Minot’s Recreation Department, which was offset by a mill decrease on the city side.

“We have been spending reserve funds,” Merritt said. “We are now down to the point where we can’t pull reserves any more. It’s about as low as we want it to get.”

The district’s proposed $14.35 million budget is down from $14.45 million in 2021. Included in the budget are work on the South Hill Complex concessions and press box, the zoo’s leopard exhibit and payments on a paving district at the Outdoor Recreation Area.

Merritt said a 45.66-mill levy will enable park operations to continue as usual.

“People are getting a lot for that. We are proud of what we have done in the last few years,” he said.