Although I have been involved in party politics and other grassroots activities over the last 25 years, this is my first time in elected office. Taking the leap into the city council race this spring was a new experience. Campaigning involves fundraising, candidate questionnaires, interviews, and public speaking, which is necessary to show your political brand and inform voters.

During a campaign you explain your positions and you make statements that effectively become campaign promises. Property taxes are on the minds of ND residents because preliminary bills are increasing and the constitutional measure is on the November ballot. My #1 priority during the campaign was to provide relief to property owners. The people of Minot have been particularly strapped by huge long-term infrastructure projects (flood protection and NAWS), as well as growth from the oil boom. Increased property values and increased local spending have strained personal budgets to the breaking point.

Our budget hearing and work session occurred this week. Council members were able to hear from the public on the budget and bring amendments to adjust spending and taxation levels before final passage in October. I am proud to say we are delivering on our promise to bring relief. In addition to some smaller initiatives, I proposed returning $3.6 million in general fund reserves to property owners by reducing our overall levy amount. As a result, a $300k home should see an approximate $200 decrease in the city portion of their property tax bill. This moves our city toward a more sustainable trajectory.
Much more work remains to bring meaningful and necessary long-term change to our local governments. I am proud of the work our council has done so far. I am encouraged by our unity and desire to meet the service needs of our city and its employees while doing what we can to push our tax levy downward. I am hopeful that the other priorities we laid out in our campaign become promises kept in the years to come.