Jill Schramm Minot resident Travis Zablotney addresses the Minot City Council Tuesday regarding the council president’s budget message.

Supporters of a statewide property-tax repeal measure took issue with the budget message of Minot City Council President Paul Pitner on Tuesday, which included his opposition to the repeal measure.

Pitner, whose written president’s letter was released with the council agenda last week, defended his support for funding $2.5 million in employee salary raises, advancing a railroad quiet zone, putting another $95,000 into economic development and researching a half percent increase in sales tax. Nor did he back off on comments cautioning residents about the loss of local control if cities must depend on the state to make up lost property-tax dollars.

“Fifteen percent of our budget is still local control, and I’m not willing to give that up,” he said. “I believe local control belongs locally. I believe it belongs here on this dais.”

“As you have continued to raise property taxes over the past 12 years, whether directly or indirectly, and will again in 2024, we see the local control that we get with the City of Minot city council,” resident Scott Samuelson said.

If the property-tax repeal gets on the ballot and passes, the City of Minot will get its $28 million from the state, he said.

“Minot taxpayers will have $28 million in their pockets to spend and invest in Minot. All of you continually talk about economic development. This will be the economic boon for the city of Minot, and you get to keep local control,” Samuelson said.

Resident Mike Blessum said taxes will drive away young professionals whose wages can’t keep up despite businesses granting raises.

“Small businesses are doing our part, and we wish we were seeing the same from our elected leaders,” he said. “I like to imagine a future where my adult kids have an extra $3,000 in their pockets to spend in the community. I imagine my in-laws without the burden of a $4,000 tax bill hanging over them on property they already own and a fixed income. I imagine building owners outside of downtown with the cash in their pockets to do their own improvements instead of going to the city and county to get a handout. I like to imagine young medical professionals choosing to come to Minot to put down roots because we have very low income tax and no property tax. Imagine what those investments will be for the future of our city.”

Resident Larry Bellew voiced his concern about a 6.75% increase in tax collections in a preliminary 2024 budget.

“I, too, am disappointed in your president’s letter because you are proposing a half-cent city sales tax. As citizens of this city, we can’t afford any more taxes. Period,” he said.

“It’s all about more spending,” resident Travis Zablotney said of Pitner’s budget message.

“When I read this letter today, I did all I could do to keep my conservative blood from boiling about what you wrote,” he added. “How socialism, more taxes, more government reminds me of Earl Allen – champagne by government, death by taxes. Remember that sign? We need to find a place for it – to put out here to remind you of that when you come to this hall. I’m very disappointed in this.”

“I stand by the letter I wrote. I think it’s progressive. I don’t think it’s socialistic,” Pitner said. “I’m happy to have a discussion, but I stand by this. I believe this is how we move our community forward. We were elected to represent the people who voted for us, and I’ve had more people stand by what I wrote than speak against.”

However, he also welcomed the public input.

“I am happy to see people here,” Pitner said. “I wish more people would be on our budget tours. Those are open meetings. I wish more people would be in the discussions leading up to these meetings.”