July 1, 2023

A North Dakota League of Cities report indicates Mandan’s consolidated mill levy ranks fifth lowest of the state’s 13 largest cities.

The share of property taxes consists of Morton County, Mandan Public School District, City of Mandan, Mandan Parks and Recreation, Lower Heart Water Resource District and State of North Dakota. The City’s portion of the total property taxes is 22%, which is lower than the average (26%) of the 13 largest cities.

The Assessing Department is sharing legislative changes to the Homestead Property Tax Credit for senior citizens or disabled persons and Disabled Veterans Tax Credit.

Homestead Property Tax Credit. Beginning in 2023, the applicant’s total income, plus the income of the spouse and any dependents for the calendar year preceding the assessment date may not exceed $70,000 after deduction of eligible medical expenses. There is no asset test to qualify. Previously, the total income amount was capped at $42,000 and assets could not exceed $500,000.   

To qualify for the Homestead Property Tax Credit the applicant must be 65 years of age or older in the year the application is made or permanently and totally disabled. The applicant must also reside in and have an ownership interest in the property for which the credit is claimed. 

The Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC has created a new resource designed to provide interested business and community members with a listing of various volunteer and elected service opportunities in the community: runbisman.com. For those specifically interested in elected service, the site also includes a list of business people who have served in office and are willing to speak to those interested in what it means to serve along with a checklist of things needed to declare candidacy.

This resource will be updated and revised over time, and is a great first step for those wishing to better serve our community. 

North Dakota has an incredible opportunity for small businesses with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. A free, practical business training program with access to capital and personalized support services.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses recruitment is designed for business owners who are ready to take the next step for their business, are passionate about growing their business, creating jobs in their communities and who generally meet these criteria:

• Small business owner or co-owner.
• Business revenues over $75,000 in the most recent fiscal year.
• Business in operation for two or more years.
• Business with two or more employees (including the owner).

Classes are delivered in-person or online. All costs are fully covered by the Goldman Sachs Foundation. 

Small business owners are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by July 7 with classes beginning in September. Click here to apply.

Automotives of all types, including motorbikes, ATVs, UTVs, snowmobiles, etc. are not allowed on or inside the levee or Mandan Park District property. Levee erosion and property damage are major concerns regarding use of these vehicles on the restricted properties. The public is asked to abide by signage in the areas.

The Roughrider Trail is located on Highway 1806 south of Mandan, following the old 1900s Northern Pacific Railroad bed. This is an unpaved trail for ATVs, snowmobiles, mountain bikes, etc. Entry to the trail can be gained at the Little Heart Rifle Range, Eckroth Bottoms and Fort Rice area.

Reisenauer is new building inspector

Carolyn Reisenauer was recently promoted to a building inspector position with the City of Mandan. Reisenauer has been employed by the City since 2013 and most recently served as a Senior Permit Technician.

Over the past year she’s been obtaining certifications that allow her to complete inspections of commercial and residential construction, working side by side with her predecessor Jon Benz before he retired at the end of May.

Earlier this year, Rochelle Nelson joined Public Works as an administrative assistant. In this role, she will support all divisions of Public Works by receiving and processing calls for service, processing payments and invoices, and more.

Nelson was born and raised in Bismarck, graduating from Bismarck High School. She has a professional background in the food industry, childcare, and medical field.

For a list of current job openings, visit city-of-mandan-nd.hireonthego.com. 

As of June 22, all permits and approvals needed to proceed with the project were obtained. Contractors have begun clearing, grubbing and other prep work on both sides of the river.

BNSF has created a website for its Missouri River Bridge project. Updates will be posted periodically to bnsfbismarckbridge.com. Visit the website to sign up to receive updates.

The City of Mandan has grass collection sites located throughout the city with no user fee for citizens. Grass collection bins are taken to the City landfill and turned into compost material that is used to cover up the landfill for the next 20-30 years. Recycling these clippings allows the landfill to minimize use of top soil needs, saving taxpayers money.

No plastic bags or garbage. Plastic bags and garbage placed in the grass clippings collection bins contaminates the load. Contaminated loads must then be dumped at the landfill and cannot be used as compost. This shortens the life of the landfill and in turn costs taxpayers money. Garbage bins are located at each grass collection site for plastic bags. Residents may reuse old trash bins to haul clippings back and forth to the collection sites to help eliminate contamination.

Branch Collection. Branches 4 inches in diameter or smaller can be taken to the grass collection site at 8th Ave SE & Hwy 1806 South only. Branches from incidental tree trimming should be placed next to the grass collection bins. Large loads of branches or branches greater than 4 inches in diameter must be taken to the City landfill.

Spread mowing out. Mowing occurrences spread throughout the week aids in reduction of overtime hours. Mowing only on the weekends causes the collection sites to fill quickly, with extra time spent Mondays for emptying and returning bins.

The Community Beautification Committee (CBC) continues to recognize properties that enhance the aesthetic appeal of the community. Nominations can be submitted year-round. Both residential and commercial properties located within city limits are eligible for the program. Projects must be street facing, river view or other publicly viewable areas and/or landscapes.

Projects must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Landscape maintenance or enhancements (existing or new).
• Structural maintenance or enhancements (existing or new).
• Overall aesthetic improvements.
• Appealing; attention-getting seasonal or holiday displays. 

Mandan Municipal Code Sec. 115-4-7 requires trees or shrubs that overhang sidewalks, streets or other public places in a way that interferes with traffic or travel must be trimmed by the owner of the abutting property or the property on which the tree or shrub grows. This includes trees and shrubs in boulevards and city right-of-way and any that hang within 14 feet of a street or 10 feet of a sidewalk as measured vertically.

Trimming overhanging branches is important to allow staff to perform proper street maintenance, such as snow plowing or sweeping all the way to the curb line, without causing damage to City owned equipment like street sweepers, snow plows, firetrucks, etc. Overhanging branches may also damage garbage trucks, school buses and parcel delivery vehicles.

Learn more at cityofmandan.com/trees or contact Public Works at 701-667-3240 with questions or concerns.

The annual Morton County & Mandan calendar will be mailed in December to approximately 16,100 addresses in Morton County.

Businesses and organizations interested in reaching residents, businesses and visitors are invited to participate. There’s an opportunity for a premier sponsorship and 24 business card size ads.

Please contact Communications Specialist Kari Schmidt by email or call 701-667-3478 to claim your ad or ask questions.

2023 Mandan Photo Contest entries due Aug. 18

Photographers of all ages and experience levels are invited to enter Mandan’s third annual photo contest by capturing special features in the community and surrounding areas in Morton County. The contest is open through Aug. 18, 2023. 

Mandan's summer events and all the fun things to do make for great opportunities to take photos to enter in the contest!

Category winners will receive $100 in Mandan Bucks gift certificates.

Residents can sign up to receive news and announcements via text message from the City of Mandan!

Messages may include information on garbage and recycling collection schedule changes, volunteer opportunities, office closures, etc.

Users may receive up to three messages per month and have the ability to opt-out at any time.

1806 & Co, 503 E Main Street Suite 4

Carol's Beauty Salon, 114 Second Ave NW