MINOT — When Gov. Kelly Armstrong was pitching his property tax reform to state lawmakers earlier this year, there was a lot of talk about the $1,600 credits for primary residences, and the 3% cap on local spending growth, but what flew under the radar for many was how the legislation, which is now law, would force local elected leaders away from doling property tax exemptions promiscuously.

What am I talking about? Look no further than the Fargo school board and Cass County Commission rejecting property tax breaks for a large apartment development in downtown Fargo. The city of Fargo approved the breaks, and Mayor Tim Mahoney spearheaded an aggressive lobbying effort to get the neighboring taxing entities to also approve them, but ultimately the county and the school district demurre

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