Morrill County hears from taxpayers on proposed levy hike

BRIDGEPORT—Morrill County officials faced a full house Monday night over a proposed tax request that would raise the county levy and add about $358,000 to the asking.

The hearing at the courthouse was required after the county exceeded its state growth limit. Chairman Jeff Metz sat with Commissioners Susanna Batterman and Josh Schmidt. Assessor John Erickson, Clerk Candice Pannis, Sheriff Milo Cardenas, Attorney Kirk Fellhoelter and budget consultant Caleb Johnson also attended.

Johnson said the county wants $4,811,395.14 in property taxes. Assessed value fell 0.23 percent. A rate of 0.298660 per $100 would raise the same money as last year; the proposed rate is 0.322698.The operating budget would rise 5.79 percent.