Morton County Commission - 2026-01-27
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
Morton County Commission held its reorganization meeting, reelecting Nathan Behm as chairman and Andy Zachmeier as vice chairman. The commission denied a property tax abatement request for a vacant lot at 3275 River Place Drive North adjacent to Coldwater Outfitters, citing subjective claims about property value impacts. The commission approved reallocation of $1.78 million in Prairie Dog funds for road and bridge projects including the Kineshiski Bridge replacement, and established a committee to review agricultural land modifier applications affecting over 2,000 farmers and 8,000 parcels.
Key Decisions (17)
Reelection of Commission Chairman
Nathan Behm reelected as chairman of Morton County Commission for 2026 by unanimous ballot.
Election of Vice Chairman
Andy Zachmeier elected as vice chairman of Morton County Commission for 2026 by unanimous ballot.
Commissioner Portfolio Assignments
Portfolio assignments for commissioners approved as presented with no changes from previous year.
2026 County Depositories Designation
Designated four depositories for Morton County funds: Dakota Community Bank (Hebron), First International Bank and Trust (Mandan - main depository), MultiBank Securities/eConnect Direct, and Starion Bank (Mandan).
Treasurer Out-of-State Travel
Approved out-of-state travel for County Treasurer Carrie Hudson Miller to attend NACTFO conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 11-16, 2026, approximately $1,800 budgeted.
Property Tax Abatement 7167 - Vacant Lot at River Place
Denied abatement request from Paul Milner for vacant lot at 3275 River Place Drive North, Riverplace 7th Subdivision. Applicant requested no increase in valuation citing proximity to Coldwater Outfitters commercial operation and alleged property value impacts. Tax director recommended denial due to subjective claims and lack of comparable sales evidence.
City of Mandan Duplicate Assessment Abatements 7168-7170
Approved abatements 7168, 7169, and 7170 for tax years 2023, 2024, and 2025 for land that was assessed on another parcel (duplicate assessment correction).
Farm Residence Exemption Abatement 7171
Approved farm residence abatement 7171 for tax year 2025. Application was received 12/23/2024 and approved by tax director 12/31/2024 but was missed during processing.
Homestead Abatements 7172-7173
Approved homestead abatements 7172 (City of Mandan) and 7173 (Morton County) for tax year 2025.
Veterans Credit Abatements 7174-7177
Approved veterans credit abatements from City of Mandan: 7174, 7175, 7176 for 2025 and 7177 for 2024.
Ag Land Modifier Review Committee Formation
Authorized formation of committee to review and evaluate agricultural land modifier applications, not to exceed five members. Initial members include Commissioners Behm and Tokash, with potential additions from Soil Conservation Service and NDSU Extension.
2026 Morton County Burn Restrictions
Approved burn restrictions banning open burning when North Dakota Rangeland Fire Index is in high, very high, extreme categories or during red flag warnings. Language regarding smoking and outdoor welding/hot work was struck from the proclamation. Violations constitute Class B misdemeanor.
Prairie Dog Funds Reallocation for Road Projects
Approved reallocation of Prairie Dog funds in 2026 road and bridge budget totaling $1,780,000 for construction projects including Kineshiski Bridge replacement (using $1 million flex funding from DOT), Sweet Briar project, chip sealing, and microsurfacing. Kineshiski Bridge is a 3-ton bridge on frontage road north of interstate, north of Glen Holland, east of County Road 88.
Police Service Contracts - Hebron, New Salem, Glen Ullen
Authorized chairman to sign police service contracts with cities of Hebron, New Salem, and Glen Ullen with 5% increase from previous year.
Sheriff Asset Forfeiture Expenditure - Drone Purchase
Approved expenditure of $11,487.68 from sheriff's asset forfeiture funds for purchase of new drone and batteries for existing drone.
Back to Blue Grant Acceptance - Retention Bonuses
Accepted Back to Blue grant funding of $50,951.22 from North Dakota legislature for retention bonuses for 37 sworn personnel. Approximately $1,300 per officer with one-year retention requirement.
Housing Authority Board Appointment
Appointed Commissioner Paul Tokash as portfolio holder to serve on Morton County Housing Authority Board, filling existing open seat as recurring position.
Development Activity (5)
Law Enforcement Center HVAC and Generator Project
Boilers and air conditioning equipment have arrived, generator ordered. Concrete work in garage completed by Northwest Contracting including drain repairs at east and west doors and wash bay. Project completion pending warmer weather.
Kineshiski Bridge Replacement
Replacement of 3-ton bridge. Design complete, right of way acquired, permits ready. Funded with $1 million DOT flex funding. Ready to advertise for bidding.
Mork Bridge Project
Bridge project included in Prairie Dog fund allocation, received flex funding from DOT.
Sweet Briar Project
Road project included in Prairie Dog fund reallocation, yet to be bid.
Youngtown Bridge
One of two remaining 3-ton bridges in county, currently under design, expected to bid later in 2026.
Market Signals (4)
Housing Demand
Morton County Housing Authority has an open board seat, indicating ongoing need for housing oversight and potential housing development activity.
Infrastructure
Morton County received DOT flex funding from reallocated federal funds that other states did not use, enabling acceleration of bridge replacement projects.
Sentiment
Property owner near Coldwater Outfitters claims adjacent commercial operation has negatively impacted residential property values and marketability, though commission found claims too subjective to support tax abatement.
Other
Over 2,000 farmers with 8,000+ agricultural parcels are applying for new ag land modifiers, indicating significant agricultural property tax activity in the county.