North Dakota could become the first state to eventually end property taxes on people’s homes under a proposal from the state’s new governor that combines conservative fiscal policy with the state’s enormous oil wealth.
Kelly Armstrong would start with $483 million from the state’s general fund and a portion of earnings from the state’s $11.5 billion oil tax savings with the ultimate goal of wiping out primary residential property taxes in years to come.
While officials must be content with griping in most states, North Dakota's voter-approved, oil-derived Legacy Fund generates hundreds of millions of dollars of earnings that would be key to funding Armstrong's plan for property tax relief.
For homeowners like Bismarck retirees Pat and Julie O’Dell, Armstrong’s plan would eventually end their annual property tax bill of over $3,000 for the modest duplex they have lived in for 33 years.
Property taxes will never win popularity contests, especially for homeowners on a fixed income who can face big bills when tax deadlines approach.
