| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: Rick Clayburgh, Tax Commissioner 701-328-2770 |
| July 29, 2004 | 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 3 as they review those companies' tentative property tax assessments.
For 2004, the total tentative taxable value of these combined companies' operating properties in North Dakota is $101,515,060, up 12.89 percent from $89,925,550 in 2003.
"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 2004 as compared to 2003 assessments are as follows:
| 2003 Taxable Valuation | 2004 Taxable Valuation | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric & Gas | $18.57 million | $23.64 million | +27.31% |
| Railroads | 18.68 million | 18.09 million | - 3.16% |
| Air Transportation Companies | 0.46 million | 0.45 million | - 2.23% |
| Pipelines | 52.20 million | 59.32 million | + 13.63% |
| Carbon Dioxide Pipeline | 2.89 million | 2.65 million | - 8.34% |
The Board will meet at 4:00 p.m., on Tuesday August 3, 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 3 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 10. The Board consists of the Governor (chairman), Tax Commissioner (secretary), Agriculture Commissioner, State Auditor, and State Treasurer.
