GEM: Greater Expectations for Minot: Issues

Minot Public Schools Mill Levy Proposal
A proposal for a building fund levy for the Minot Public School District went to the voters on May 12, 2005 and was defeated.

According to the Friends of Education Committee the Minot Public School District is the only one of North Dakota's 12 largest public school districts without a building fund levy. The mill levy would have been utilized for general construction, mechanical construction, emergency lights, lighting, roof replacement, fire alarms and classroom wiring throughout the district.

Greater Expectations for Minot did not take a formal position on the proposal.

Artspace
Artspace, the nation's leading non-profit real estate developer for the arts, is working with Minot to help evaluate the prospects of finding an aesthetic fit for the arts within the community. The Artspace project is a multi-purpose arts facility, which could include performance space, work and living space for artists, as well as other arts organizations and complementary businesses. The project would bring together the arts, civic and business groups within Minot and would create an area that is alive with activity.

Arts and cultural tourism are important elements when looking to grow quality of life in our community and they can contribute in a very revolutionary way. For Minot revitalizing old buildings and putting them back on the tax roles and making them useful again benefits everyone.

Artspace is currently working on a preliminary feasibility study, which taking into account five areas of analysis - the market, the financial data, site selection, concept plan and leadership. Check back soon to learn more about Artspace in Minot!

Dakota Dog Park
Dogs are such an important part of many people's lives today. Being social creatures, dogs like to interact--both with the humans they live with and with other dogs. A dog park is designed as a fenced area where dogs can exercise and socialize without having to remain on a leash.

In summer of 2004, a group of citizens approached the Minot Park District Board about creating a place where they and their dogs could go. Leash laws in Minot Park District parks prohibit off-leash activity with dogs. The board agreed that a place should be provided to let dogs exercise off leash. However, the funds to build the park were not in the capital budget. Therefore, the Board agreed to allow the citizen committee to move forward by funding the Dog Park exclusively through donations and grant money.

Where is the Dog Park?
A nearly 3-acre site is located just east of the Highway 83 Bypass and north of Highway 2 & 52 Bypass West for the dog park.

To learn more about the dog park or how you can become involved contact: Karen Thunshelle #721-1138, Diane Freiberg #720-3916 or Donna Bye #838-0424.

Minot's Sales Tax
In response to years of devastating floods, Minot’s first sales tax was established by a vote of the people in 1986 to provide funding for a joint U.S. and Canadian dam project on the Souris River. The 1% tax paid for Minot’s share of a water project that provided the city with 100-year flood protection.

In 1990, when funding for the dam project was complete, voters agreed to continue the tax until 1998. The proceeds from the tax were used for jobs development (40%), city infrastructure (50%) and property tax relief (10%). In 1995, voters overwhelmingly agreed to continue the 1% tax and the current uses of jobs development, infrastructure and tax relief until 2006.

In March of 1999, voters approved a 1% sales tax to pay for the city’s portion of funding the Northwest Area Water System. NAWS plans to bring Missouri River water to Minot and eventually to the north and northwest region of North Dakota. The additional tax would be collected until the local share of the NAWS project was fully funded.

In June of 2004, voters overwhelmingly agreed again to continue the 1% tax and the current uses of jobs development, infrastructure and tax relief until 2014. Greater Expectations was a lead supporter of the extension of Minot's sales tax.
Minot residents will vote in June on whether to extend a 1% city sales tax.

If this city is to move forward and grow, we must have the tools necessary to do the work. The 1% tax benefits everyone and without it each and every person in Minot and the surrounding areas will feel the impact.