| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: Rick Clayburgh, Tax Commissioner 701-328-2770 |
| July 31, 2003 | Marcy Dickerson, State Supervisor of Assessments, 701-328-3128 |
Board of Equalization to Hold Tax Assessment Hearings
BISMARCK --- Tax Commissioner Rick Clayburgh announced today that electric and gas companies, railroads, airlines, and pipelines will all have a chance to discuss tentative property tax assessments with the State Board of Equalization. The State Board of Equalization will hold the public hearing on August 5 as they review those companies' tentative property tax assessments.
For 2003, the total tentative taxable value of these combined companies' operating properties in North Dakota is $93,823,000, up 5.2 percent from $89,189,150 in 2002.
"These tax dollars benefit local government," said Clayburgh. "Schools, cities, park districts, counties, and townships receive a percentage of the revenue from these taxes."
By type of company, the tentative taxable values for 2003 as compared to 2002 assessments are as follows:
| 2002 Taxable Valuation | 2003 Taxable Valuation | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric & Gas | $17.57 million | $19.51 million | +11.03% |
| Railroads | 17.60 million | 18.68 million | + 6.17% |
| Air Transportation Companies | 0.44 million | 0.46 million | + 2.95% |
| Pipelines | 50.55 million | 52.28 million | + 3.64% |
| Carbon Dioxide Pipeline | 3.14 million | 2.89 million | - 7.70% |
The Board will meet at 4:00 p.m., on Tuesday August 5, at the State Capitol in the 8th floor Conference Room of the Office of State Tax Commissioner.
Clayburgh said, "Included in the agenda is a hearing on the valuation of the electric and gas companies, railroads, airlines, and pipelines as well as the telecommunications gross receipts tax." Clayburgh added, "The August 5 meeting will not address local assessments for residential, commercial, and agricultural properties. Those discussions will take place during another meeting at a later date."
The State Board of Equalization will conduct a final review and hold a public hearing on those local assessments on August 12. The Board consists of the Governor (chairman), Tax Commissioner (secretary), Agriculture Commissioner, State Auditor, and State Treasurer.
