Ward County’s handling of tax equalization and abatement requests prompted the City of Minot to raise a concern at a local government liaison committee meeting Thursday.

City Tax Assessor Ryan Kamrowski said the county’s decisions since 2021 to reduce valuations for Trinity Health and for Dakota Square Mall on two occasions were not based on facts and findings.

“It is our position that these decisions not only are detrimental to the financial stability of all jurisdictions involved but just undermine the entire property tax valuation system,” Kamrowski said.

He acknowledged there can be differences of opinions on values but noted decisions should not be arbitrary.

“All we ask is that you make decisions based on actual data that’s provided,” he said. “Just lowering the assessed value because it’s asked for is not sustainable for us.”

County Commissioner Miranda Schuler asked about the types of submitted valuation data the city accepts and that commissioners, acting as the board of equalization, should be looking for when considering requests.

Minot Public School Board member Scott Louser, a Realtor, clarified the types of valuation estimate reports generated by Realtors, noting certain quickly produced documents are worthless.

Ward County Tax Equalization Director Noreen Wilkie agreed some documents submitted by applicants have been inadequate but better information isn’t always produced when requested.

Data to generate a useful valuation estimation is accessible but only if the Realtor puts in the time necessary to obtain it, Louser explained.

City Manager Harold Stewart said ensuring assessed values are accurate will be even more critical with the new 3% cap on property tax increases. Taxes need to be fair and be fairly distributed across the community, he said.