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A $36.73 million property tax request in the Minot Public School District's proposed 2026-27 budget could mean somewhat lower tax bills for many Minot property owners.
The Minot School Board approved a budget on first reading on Wednesday, Aug. 5. A public hearing is set for Thursday, Sept. 10, at 5:30 p.m. at the Minot Area Workforce Academy.
Although the district is looking at a dollar levy that is about 1.38% higher than the current year, the district's overall valuation also has increased and the mill levy is down about 5 mills.
"The reduction in mills is due in part to the retirement of the district's 2016 flood recovery bond," Business Manager Laura Dokken said. "Recent legislation also requires school districts to reduce mills proportionately across all capped funds in order to remain eligible for state gap funding. The proposed levy reflects these required adjustments while allowing the district to capture its full 3 percent property tax cap authority."
Based on the proposed 130.88 mill levy, district calculations show the tax per $100,000 of residential property at about $588.94, a reduction of $23 from the previous year. Commercial property would see a reduction of $25.57, to $654.38 per $100,000 in value. Cropland in the district would see a tax of $6.54 per acre valued at $1,000, down 26 cents.
The numbers reflect consistent valuations year to year. Any changes property owners might have seen to property assessments this past year could impact actual taxes.
The Minot district's general fund levy of $16.5 million, or 58.92 mills, accounts for the largest share of the overall $36.73 million and 130.88-mill levy. Other levies for board discretion, tuition and miscellaneous funds add $6.63 million or 23.63 mills to the general fund tax. Sinking and interest (debt service) accounts for $12.8 million or 45.67 mills, and a special reserve levy of 2.66 mills would generate $745,249.
The district would be eligible for $302,221 in gap funding from the state under the proposed budget. It received about $83,000 this past year, Dokken said.
Dokken also noted the district ended its fiscal year June 30 with $131.2 million in revenues, or 98.27% of the amount budgeted, and $129 million in expenditures, or 96.3% of the budget's proposed spending. The resulting operating surplus was $2.1 million.
The 2026-27 budget projects $130.8 million in revenue and $131.49 million in expenses, which is a $690,062 deficit, she said.
The board will have opportunities to consider budget adjustments before a final budget is due to Ward County on Oct. 10.