FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Marcy Dickerson, State Supervisor of Assessments, 701.328.3128
Thursday, April 23, 2009

Fong: Townships & City Boards of Equalization Have Extra Time to Meet

BISMARCK, N.D. – Tax Commissioner Cory Fong announced today that townships and cities that have been affected by the spring flooding have extra time to conduct their board of equalization meetings.

“The recent snow emergencies and flooding have prevented some townships and cities from holding their equalization meetings,” said Fong. “These meetings typically occur on the second Monday or Tuesday of April and it is likely that affected townships and cities will not be able to meet certain requirements of the law.”

State law requires township boards of equalization to provide the assessments to the county auditor by the fourth Monday in April. Cities have ten days after completion of equalization to deliver their assessments to the county auditor.

“While there is no statutory guidance addressing this situation,” said Fong, “it makes sense to try to accommodate officials and taxpayers, given the circumstances.”

Fong suggests townships and cities that need to reschedule their equalization meetings do so as soon as possible, making sure that public notice requirements are met.

“With the cooperation of township, city, and county officials,” said Fong, “it should be possible to hold county equalization meetings within the first ten days of June, as required by law.”

For more information about the township and city board of equalization meetings, contact the Tax Department Property Tax Division at 701.328.3128.

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