Collected and spent
In 2022, Ward County spent about $49.8M. This is a Census of Governments estimate across all of its funds.
Spent
$49.8M
Fiscal year 2022 · Census of Governments estimate, all funds · spending
Where the money comes from
One tax.
Property tax
58.98 mills
Source · North Dakota certified 2024 levy documents, Ward 2024 property tax. Read on July 23, 2026.
Details
Ward 2024 property tax — county levy derived from an official 2024 Ward County tax statement (county line ÷ net taxable; statement total 341.760 reconciles exactly). Single-source derived — held modeled. Mills apply to taxable value = 4.5% of true and full value for residences (50% assessed × 9% residential factor, per the ND Tax Commissioner); the state's own levy is the separate 1.00 Medical Center mill; independent park districts (Fargo 35.58 / Bismarck 32.68 / Grand Forks 36.79 / Minot 46.44) are separate governments, unrostered pendingWhere it goes
Ten service lines.
Health and human services
$12.6M
Public works
$10.9M
Corrections
$6.6M
Other
$5.5M
Police
$5.1M
General government
$4.8M
Courts
$2.3M
Debt service · past obligation
$1.1M
Library
$0.5M
Parks and recreation
$0.2M
Bars in both tables share one scale. Hatched lines pay for past obligations, not current services.
Source · 2022 Census of Governments - Estimated service split source. Read on October 20, 2026.
Who decides
The board oversees county money. It checks bills, approves the county budget and sets county taxes. 5 Commissioners, all elected at large.
John Fjeldahl
Commissioner, at large
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Jim Rostad
Commissioner, at large
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Miranda Schuler
Commissioner, at large
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Ron Merritt
Commissioner, at large
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Jason Olson
Commissioner, at large
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Source · Ward County, Board of Ward County Commissioners, Ward County, ND. Read on October 10, 2026.
Details
Board of Ward County Commissioners, Ward County, ND (read 2026-10-10)When decisions happen
The county auditor drafts the budget. The board holds a hearing where taxpayers may speak. Then it adopts the budget and sets the levy.
Each yearThe board sets the county tax levy by its October meeting.
Next electionThe next general election is November 3, 2026.
Commissioners serve staggered 4-year terms.
How to reach it
Auditor / Treasurer's Office: 701-857-6420
Phone
Board of Ward County Commissioners, 225 SE Third St., Minot, ND 58701
Mailing address
Source · North Dakota Legislative Assembly, N.D.C.C. §11-23-04 and §11-23-05, County budget. Read on October 10, 2026.
Details
N.D.C.C. §11-23-04 and §11-23-05, County budget (read 2026-10-10)Also on this tax bill
A Ward County address pays these governments too. Which school districts and cities apply depends on the address.
On every bill in Ward County
On some bills, depending on the address
School districts: 10
Lewis and Clark Public School District 161Not in Who Taxes Me yet
Kenmare Public School District 28Not in Who Taxes Me yet
United Public School District 7Not in Who Taxes Me yet
Sawyer Public School District 16Not in Who Taxes Me yet
South Prairie Public School District 70Not in Who Taxes Me yet
Max Public School District 50Not in Who Taxes Me yet
Minot Public School District 1School districtGlenburn Public School District 26Not in Who Taxes Me yet
Surrey Public School District 41Not in Who Taxes Me yet
Nedrose Public School District 4Not in Who Taxes Me yet
Cities: 1
Sources
Spent
2022 Census of Governments - Estimated service split source. Read on October 20, 2026.
Taxes
North Dakota certified 2024 levy documents, Ward 2024 property tax. Read on July 23, 2026.
Details
Ward 2024 property tax — county levy derived from an official 2024 Ward County tax statement (county line ÷ net taxable; statement total 341.760 reconciles exactly). Single-source derived — held modeled. Mills apply to taxable value = 4.5% of true and full value for residences (50% assessed × 9% residential factor, per the ND Tax Commissioner); the state's own levy is the separate 1.00 Medical Center mill; independent park districts (Fargo 35.58 / Bismarck 32.68 / Grand Forks 36.79 / Minot 46.44) are separate governments, unrostered pendingWho decides
Ward County, Board of Ward County Commissioners, Ward County, ND. Read on October 10, 2026.
Details
Board of Ward County Commissioners, Ward County, ND (read 2026-10-10)When decisions happen
North Dakota Legislative Assembly, N.D.C.C. §11-23-04 and §11-23-05, County budget. Read on October 10, 2026.
Details
N.D.C.C. §11-23-04 and §11-23-05, County budget (read 2026-10-10)How to reach it
Ward County, Board of Ward County Commissioners, Ward County, ND. Read on October 10, 2026.
Details
Board of Ward County Commissioners, Ward County, ND (read 2026-10-10)What it does
2022 Census of Governments - Estimated service split source. Read on October 13, 2026.
To act on what you have read
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