The city council conducted a public hearing on the proposed preliminary budget, which is still under development. Following the hearing, council members discussed key financial adjustments and plan to continue deliberations at their October 6 meeting. The initial draft proposed a tax levy of $29.5 million, a significant increase from the current $24 million. However, revisions suggested in the mayor’s budget message—delivered by Mark Jantzer, now serving as mayor—helped lower the figure. Further refinements by council staff have brought the projected levy down to $24.33 million. n nAccording to Finance Director David Lakefield, homeowners with unchanged property assessments could see a 2% reduction in their city tax portion due to growth in the tax base and rising valuations. n nAmong Jantzer’s recommendations was a proposal to reduce the share of sales tax allocated to economic development from 15% to 10%, while redirecting an additional 5% toward property tax relief. The plan also includes eliminating $500,000 previously earmarked for economic development initiatives. n nRyan Ackerman, chair of the Minot Area Chamber EDC board, emphasized the importance of sustained investment in economic growth. While agreeing that Minot should aim for a low-tax, low-regulation environment, he stressed that external competition requires proactive efforts. He cautioned against a hands-off approach, stating that deliberate investment is essential to attract industry and capital. n nKevin Black, a member of the State Board of Higher Education, and Minot State University President Steve Shirley highlighted how past economic development spending contributed to expanding health education programs in the region. n nResident Roscoe Streyle praised the impact of MACEDC’s Task Force 21 and echoed Pete Hankla, its chair, who advocated for stable, predictable funding through sales tax. Hankla underscored the need for consistency, noting that economic projects lost by Minot do not disappear—they relocate elsewhere. n nJarid Lundeen, a local business owner, spoke about creating opportunities to retain young talent, emphasizing that investing in the future is vital for upcoming generations. n nState Senator Jose Castaneda observed that the declining allocation of sales tax to economic development over time suggests progress in economic expansion. However, he argued that the funding remains necessary despite improvements. n nBeth Feldner, a former member of the city’s Economic Development Review Committee, expressed concern over how the council handled the committee’s findings, particularly criticizing actions led by committee chair Mike Blessum. She warned against shifting sales tax revenue away from economic development, stressing that Minot must remain competitive for new projects. She clarified that the request isn’t for more funding, but for maintaining appropriate funding sources. n nTravis Zablotney, another resident, questioned the effectiveness of current economic development strategies. He pointed out that demand for agricultural labor exceeds that for dental professionals, suggesting funding priorities may not align with actual workforce needs. He raised concerns about whether new businesses benefit local entrepreneurs and whether such efforts generate meaningful employment. n nLianne Zeltinger supported reallocating more sales tax revenue to public safety and cited several city expenditures—such as wayfinding signage and airport terminal design—as examples of potentially misdirected spending. She called for improved strategic thinking from the council and urged a reassessment of municipal priorities. n nSeveral taxpayers voiced concerns about property tax burdens. Rachel McFall, accompanied by her husband Justin and their newborn, recalled the positive impact of a previous tax relief measure. She appealed to the council to consider young families struggling to manage expenses. n nDeanne Regalado shared her financial strain, stating, “We are tired. Our buckets are empty. We have no more money.” She criticized non-essential infrastructure projects and called for reduced taxation and government intervention. n nIn other news, the city has narrowed the search for its next city manager to three finalists, two of whom are current city employees. The candidates are interim city manager Tom Joyce, Finance Director David Lakefield, and David Kees. n nJoyce began his role as assistant city manager in January 2024. A retired Air Force colonel, he previously served as deputy to the Garrison Commander at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. His academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in American government from the University of Virginia (1986), a master’s from Purdue University (1991), and advanced military degrees from Air Command and Staff College (2000) and Air War College (2005). n nLakefield, a certified public accountant, joined the city in April 2017. Prior to that, he operated Liberty Tax Service starting in 2003. His professional experience spans education at Minot State University and nine years with the Minot Police Department. n nDetails about Kees were not available at the time of publication. The city received 53 applications for the position. n
— news from minotdailynews.com
— News Original —
Council hears from public on budget, economic development
The council held a public hearing on a preliminary budget that remains a work in progress. The council spent time discussing the budget following the hearing and plans to continue discussion at its Oct. 6 meeting. n nThe preliminary budget released to the city council called for a levy of $29.5 million, up from $24 million in the current budget. The president’s budget message delivered by Mark Jantzer, now mayor, made adjustments that brought the levy down, and additional adjustments made by the council and staff since then have reduced the projected levy to $24.33 million. n nWith tax base expansion and other valuation growth, a homeowner with no property assessment change would see the city portion of the tax bill decline by 2%, Finance Director David Lakefield reported. n nAmong the president’s recommendations, Jantzer suggested reducing the percentage of sales tax dollars going to economic development from 15% to 10% and increasing sales tax dollars for property tax relief by 5%. It also proposed eliminating $500,000 for economic development projects. n nRyan Ackerman, board chair for Minot Area Chamber EDC, spoke about the need for continued economic development funding. He said he agrees that Minot should strive to be a community with a low tax, low regulation environment that relies on the market, but he noted all else must be equal. n n“Of course, we aren’t equal to anyone else, and that’s why we need to work to make Minot more attractive and conducive to industry and to investment. The laissez faire or hands off economic policy – that’s not going to help Minot,” he said. “We have to work at this. We have to invest in this.” n nKevin Black, a member of the State Board of Higher Education, and Minot State University President Steve Shirley spoke about the benefits that economic development spending has had in bringing health education programs to Minot. n nResident Roscoe Streyle spoke of the benefits he’s seen with MACEDC’s Task Force 21, and agreed with Pete Hankla, Task Force 21 chair, who said economic development needs a reliable source of funding that sales tax can provide. n n“We need that stability,” Hankla said. n nMinot businessman Jarid Lundeen spoke about creating opportunities for young people to stay. n n“It’s so important for future generations to realize we have to invest in that future,” he said. n nState Sen. Jose Castaneda, Minot, said the shrinking percentage of sales tax that has been going to support economic development over the years indicates those efforts are working to grow the economy. n n“If you don’t need it, get rid of the penny. But I really do believe we need it,” he said. n nBeth Feldner, who had served on the city’s Economic Development Review Committee, voiced concern about the handling of the committee’s recommendations by the council, particularly member Mike Blessum who chaired the review committee. Despite the sales tax delivering value for economic development, the council made moves to shift the sales tax away from economic development, she said. n n“We cannot afford to lose momentum now. The projects that don’t happen here don’t just vanish. They pick somewhere else to be. Minot has to compete for these projects,” Feldner said. “We’re not asking for more dollars. It’s just that we do not believe property tax or general fund dollars are where economic development should be funded from.” n nMinot resident Travis Zablotney questioned whether existing economic development efforts have moved the needle. He noted the need for farm workers is even greater than the need for dental workers, suggesting economic development dollars for jobs aren’t going where they can make the most difference. n n“Who are we really helping when we bring businesses in? How many of these businesses are entrepreneurs from the local area?” he asked. “I think without entrepreneurship in Minot, we’re not going to create meaningful jobs.” n nMinot resident Lianne Zeltinger supported directing more sales tax money to public safety and listed a number of areas within city government – from wayfinding signage to airport terminal design – where dollars could have been spent more wisely. n n“We need better thinking from this city council,” she said. “This is the time to reassess our priorities.” n nThe council also heard from taxpayers concerned about the property taxes. n nRachel McFall, joined by her husband, Justin, and their infant child, spoke about the benefit of last year’s tax break by the council. n n“The actions you took in 2004 resulted in cash directly back in the pockets of newlyweds who could really use it. So, today, as a couple who just welcomed a newborn baby, we ask you to remember us and all the other young families who are trying our best to live within our means in this community,” she said. n n“We are tired. Our buckets are empty. We have no more money,” said resident Deanne Regalado. “We don’t need fancy signs. We don’t need parking garages that nobody uses. We need less taxes and we need less government in our lives.” n nTwo city employees are among three finalists for the position of Minot’s next city manager. n nThe finalists are interim city manager Tom Joyce, Finance Director David Lakefield and David Kees. n nJoyce joined the city of Minot as assistant city manager in January 2024. He is a retired Air Force colonel who previously served as the deputy to the Garrison Commander at the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. n nHis education includes a bachelor’s degree in American government from the University of Virginia in 1986, a master’s degree from Purdue University in 1991, a master’s in military operational art and science from Air Command and Staff College in 2000, and a master’s of strategic studies from Air War College in 2005. n nLakefield, a certified public accountant, joined the city in April 2017. n nHe previously owned and operated Liberty Tax Service since 2003. His career has included as an educator at Minot State University and nine years with the Minot Police Department. n nInformation regarding Kees had not been released as of press time. n nThe city received 53 applications for the position. n nCouncil hears from public on budget, economic development