Bismarck City Commission votes “no” to discuss future of Extra Territorial Area

You can be subject to the rules of a city without ever having a say in how they’re made — and that’s the situation for many homeowners in Burleigh County’s Extraterritorial Area (ETA), just beyond Bismarck’s borders. Though they follow city zoning regulations, they can’t vote in city elections. This week, residents pushed back, asking for a voice. But when a proposal to hold a joint public input meeting came up, it failed.

Editor’s Note:A Bismarck vote considered and failed wouldn’t be news in Minot but for the topic. Extra-territorial rights area growing area of discord, and in Minot they’ve found powerful advocates in the legislature. Missed in the coverage from Bismarck is the fact that residents in a city’s ETA do not pay property taxes to the city or a city park district if formed.

Michael Anhalt

KFYR

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