McKenzie County navigates property tax equalization
By M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
McKenzie County property owners can expect to see adjustments in their tax assessments following the Board of County Commissioners’ June 3 Meeting.
Tax Equalization Director Katie Paulson presented her recommendations for the county-wide equalization process. While commercial property values are deemed stable, residential properties will see a modest increase to align with market realities, and agricultural land values will experience a slight decrease.
Paulson opened her presentation by reiterating the North Dakota Century Code requirement for assessment values to be between 90 and 100 percent of recommended market values. She explained that the county utilizes the median ratio, a standard assessment tool, to compare market prices with assessment valuations, as it is “the least skewed by really high or really low ratios.”
For commercial properties, Paulson delivered good news. “Our commercial median ratio came in at 90.9 percent,” she stated, indicating that the adjustments made in 2024 to commercial valuations were effective. “The commercial changes that we approved last year...were the right move, because our sales came in saying that we were okay.” Therefore, no additional market commercial changes were necessary.
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