GF County property taxes to climb

Property taxes would climb under a proposed 2024 budget adopted by the Grand Forks County Commission on Tuesday. By a 3-2 vote the board said “yes” to a general fund spending plan that exceeds $29 million dollars.

The 6.84 bump in mills would cost the owner of a $230,000 dollar home – based on a five-percent valuation increase – another $121 dollars on the county portion of their tax bill next year.

The budget includes a planned salary increase and the addition of several new employee hires next year.
Commissioner Mark Rustad says some difficult decisions are coming including where to put the Sheriff’s Department when their lease in the Police Building runs out in 2027.  “Next year we have spent everything the state allows us to spend and we have a maxed out credit card.”

Rustad suggested incorporating the GFSO into the jail expansion plans. County Administrator Tom Ford says it may be too late for that as the round one bid package has already been ordered – and round two is ready to go.

A hearing on the budget is set for September 19th.