The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1919-04-03


Residences used as homes at SO per
cent of their value after deducting ST.
600 exemption.
Ward county and present city assessor,
informs the Independent that it will
the second floor for apartments which
figure out just method of taxation
for some of the buildings in Minot.
Take for instance building the first
floor of which is-occupied by store,
the second floor for apartments which
are rented and the third floor for the
owners home. The lower floor must
be assessed at 100 per cent Of it's val
ue; the apartments at so per cent and
the third floor or home at so per cent,
less the $1,000 exemption. This is 60
ing to make the work of the assessor
much harder than usual.
Mr.. Wheeler staes that farm taxes
will be some higher this year, tho just
how much higher, he is not prepared
to say at this time. In Ward county,
last year, the average valuation of
farm lands was about $18 an acre and
the assessors assessed on basis of 25
per cent, or $3.50 an acre on the av-
eerage. Ihe Federal department. has
been holding an inquiry for months re-
garding the value Of farm lands in
this vicinity and many farmers have
been called in as witnesses. AS a re-
suit of the inquiry, it has been ascer,
tanned that the average valuation of
farm land in this vicinity is $25 an
acre. If this is the basis Mr.. Wheeler
will accept this year, farm lands will
be assessed on the full value of S25
an acre, or at the rate Of $4,000 a
quarter and as the increase in the tax
alton is apt to run up to four mills.
which is expected to increase the farm
taxes about SIG quarter, exclusive
OF any hail tax, or whatever may be
assessed against the land in the form
OF special assessments for bonding
funds. g
Land in years past has been assess-
cd at too low figure in the Red river
valley. Addison Leach, old time as
SCISSOR from Cass county, who attend
ed the meeting, stated that land in
That county had been assessed on the
basis of $50 an acre. whereas four sec
tons OF land in the vicinity of Fargo
sol sold for $112 an acre the other day
lhls. of course, makes the state taxes
on land in western North Dakota
higher for the state has to raise iust
SO much money. The land in the west
has always been assessed at nearer it's
actual value.
All subdivisions are allowed to in.
crease their taxes this year no more
than 10 per cent Of the amount last
year. By subdivisions is meant cities
villages, townships. park systems anG
the counties. Schools are allowed te
levy up to 20 per cent more than las
year. 'e's
City taxes can be expected to be
more this year. Take for example =
city lot worth $4,000 with a $50 OOC
nulfdlng located thereon. Last ven,
the lot was assessed at S2,5OO or 3
fourth of its value. while the buildino
was assessed at SIS, 900, or fourth 81
ITS value, making a total of $1,000 as.
sessed valuation. This year the lo1
ahd the building are to be assessed =,
Iuli ~ valuation: or $4,000, making :
alHerence in the ass essed valuation q
$4,000. Providing the state taxes in
crease up to the maximum of fon
mills, the taxes on such building anl
lot would be about 500 more than .
year ago, exclusive of any special as
! sessments.