Ward County taxpayers should see little or no change in their county property taxes for 2022 in the $54.7 million budget approved by the county commission earlier this month.

Direct county expenses account for $48.8 million of the budget. The remainder provides funds for the Assiniboine River Basin, Garrison Diversion, State Fair, senior citizens organizations, Soil Conservation Service, Souris River Joint Board and Ward County Water Resources Board.

County commissioners trimmed a 10-mill tax increase included in a preliminary budget to lower the projected mill levy to 61.85 mills, which compares to 61.88 mills levied for the 2021 budget.

The levy amounts to about $557 on a $200,000 residence outside of Minot. Because Minot residents do not pay the county library tax, the county tax would be $521 on a $200,000 home.

However, property owners who see valuation increases could see corresponding tax bill changes. The median home value in Minot has increased from $182,000 to $187,000, although the resulting difference in the county portion of the tax is estimated to be less than $1. Farmland values also have risen, but less than 1%.

In other business, the county commission set a special meeting next Wednesday to interview applicants for the vacant facilities director position. The county Human Service Zone board meets Friday to interview candidates for zone director.

Current Ward County Human Service Zone Director Melissa Bliss will be retiring Nov. 30. She has worked for the human service zone or its predecessor, Ward County Social Services, for 38 years, including the last seven as director.