County social services bill highlights tax reform efforts

A permanent shift in state property tax relief policy is navigating through the Legislature in a difficult budget climate: a proposed state takeover of county social services funding.

During the interim, a formula for the state taking on all funding and eliminating the 20-mill cap for social services to each county was developed. A legislative committee based the formula on K-12 funding passed in 2013.

The proposed formula could be a tough sell but, if approved, would provide reimbursement to counties based on such factors as total caseload, the county’s size and inflation.

The cost estimate for the 2017-19 biennium in Gov. Doug Burgum’s budget is about $275 million. Payments to counties would be made twice a year under the proposal.

Read more: http://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/county-social-services-bill-highlights-tax-reform-efforts/article_1bcc9930-8eaa-568f-9147-11103161b7fe.html