State lawmakers approved a property‑tax package that changed credits and local taxing limits, prompting concern from Fargo officials about its effects on municipal budgets.

Representative Austin Foss, who worked on tax committee language, summarized the main items: "We are increasing that primary residence tax credit to $1,600 ... You will still have to declare your primary residency every year," he said. Foss also noted the credit does not apply to special assessments and that the package limits taxing districts to 3% annual growth in levies unless the political subdivision holds a vote to raise it for up to four years.

Forum speakers described other changes: renters who qualify for the homestead or disabled‑veterans credits will see the renter refund maximum increase to $600. Municipal officials told forum participants the caps and the requirement to re‑declare primary residency annually will complicate local budgeting and could constrain the ability to fund personnel; a Fargo commissioner said city inflation is typically higher than the 3% cap and that the cap could be restrictive for growing cities.

The forum also covered changes to mill‑levy voting rules. One participant noted the prior mill‑levy authorization lasted 10 years and could be placed on special‑election ballots; under the new rules those votes are limited to general elections and must be renewed every four years, which a commissioner called a potentially destabilizing constraint for school funding and long‑range planning.

Ending

Local officials at the forum urged continued dialogue with state legislators during the interim to clarify implementation details — particularly how the new caps interact with existing local revenue needs and how annual residency declarations will be administered.