BOWMAN, N.D. (AP) _ Some residents in southwestern North
Dakota's Bowman County are questioning a proposed 12 percent tax
hike given the county's large reserve fund.
The county has $21 million in reserve, though Commissioner Lynn Brackel says
some of the money already is allocated to projects and future
needs.
The commission is proposing to raise property taxes for fiscal
2013 to cover rising costs. Resident Pam Hestekin says such a hike
would burden some people, especially those on fixed incomes.
Brackel says the county is faced with the rising cost of social
services for residents, along with retirement and health insurance
for county employees.
The budget isn't final yet. Commissioner Bill Bowman says the
county is looking into using federal money to ease the property tax
burden.
