The City of Valley City Assessor’s Office will soon be mailing assessment notices to all property owners in Valley City.

Due to a recent change in state law, the Assessor’s Office is now required each year to send an assessment notice for every parcel in Valley City.  The notice will show both the current proposed assessment and the previous year’s assessed value.

The purpose of this notice is to provide full transparency for the property owner regarding the proposed property value. The assessment notice will replace the estimated tax statement normally sent out in August.

Residents with questions about their property value notice are encouraged to contact the City Assessor’s Office by calling 701-845-8122 or visit valleycity.northdakotaassessors.com.

Hey There,

• This Saturday, March 21st, at 6:00 PM, the Valley City Fire Department (VCFD) will host its annual fundraiser at the Valley City Eagles Club. Join us to support a great cause! 
• March 20, 2026 at 9:46 Central Time in the Northern Hemisphere is the Spring Equinox.  It is the first day of spring and the time of the year when there is nearly equal time of sunlight on each side of the equator.
• The Valley City Volunteer Firefighters held their annual Spouse and Significant Other Banquet and Awards Night. There was a great turnout and good food, made complete by a ‘fire call’—away they all went to serve! Thank you and congratulations to all the firefighters, especially those who achieved awards.     
• Over the past six years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) Board. The entire MRES staff is made up of wonderful, caring people who are exceptionally good at their jobs, providing reliable and affordable power to our 61 members. Thank you to the employees and board members for your kindness and acceptance over the years. The hospitality you showed me at my final board meeting was truly beyond anything I would have imagined.
• The Hi-Line Train Set in the Barnes County Museum continues to grow! Thanks to Bill Cochran, a water tower and a model of the Valley City Barnes County Public Library have been added. Bill also included a “gun pit,” where Company F would have been stationed to guard the Hi-Line Bridge from sabotage during WWII.  As a vital transcontinental transportation conduit, the bridge was critical to the war effort. Huge kudos to Jeff Bergner, who works diligently to keep the trains running. Thank you, Bill, Jeff, and Wes, for your great work!
• While reading the news the other day, I found it interesting that so many candidates around the country are bypassing their party’s endorsements in favor of running directly in the primary.
• Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing this column.
• “Golf isn’t about being perfect. It’s about how well you handle the imperfections.”   ~ Rory McIIroy

Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,
Dave Carlsrud

Greetings Everyone,

• Likely, during my lifetime, there were stretches of mild February weather like we’ve had the last couple of weeks, but I don’t remember them per se. Perhaps the most interesting part to me was the duration. The amount of thick ice in the alleys that melted was amazing. Whatever thoughts we may have about the phenomenon, we can be grateful for “lots of good weather in the bank”.
• The 2026 Winter Olympics are nearly in the books. Two commentators were discussing which Olympics is more difficult: summer or winter. One said, “The Winter Olympics, because the contestants often have something attached to their feet.” Interesting! The skeleton competition is especially crazy; they go head-first on a tiny sled, holding their chins just an inch off the ice while traveling 80 to 90 mph. Congratulations and thank you to all who competed!
• If you think your garbage pickup has been missed, please wait until after 3:00 PM to call the Transfer Station at 701-845-0314. Collection times can vary due to uncontrollable events. For water, electric, or street issues after hours, please call Public Works at 701-845-0380, and an after-hours operator will connect you to the appropriate department for assistance.
• The Christian season of Lent and the Muslim season of Ramadan began last Wednesday, February 18.
• The American Public Power Association (APPA) 2026 Legislative Rally will take place February 23-25 in Washington DC. Missouri River Energy Services (MRES), along with APPA, monitors public power legislation at the state and federal levels to maintain favorable rates for us. Watch for an update next week regarding some specific issues for which we will be lobbying.
• * Please continue watching for the Disaster Mitigation Survey and complete the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BarnesCountyMHMP.  For further information, please contact  Daniel Schwartz at dschwartz@nexusplanco.com  or Jessica Jenrich at jjenrich@barnescounty.us. Thank you.
• Thank you to all who provided material and to Sue for proofing this column.
• “If you don’t know what tomorrow holds, you need who holds tomorrow.”                 ~ Jesse Jackson

Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,
Dave Carlsrud

The Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting will begin on Tuesday December 9th, 2025 at 4:00 PM CT, at City Commission Chambers, 220 3rd ST NE, Valley City, ND.
Members of the public may choose to view the meeting live online by clicking on this link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81241976703 or listen by calling (1-346-248-7799)
Webinar ID: 812 4197 6703 DATE: December 9th, 2025 Time: 4:00 P.M.

1. Call meeting to order
2. Roll call.
3. Approve minutes from October 14th, 2025 meeting.
4. Building /Fire Inspector Report
5. Public Hearing – Conditional Use Permit for family daycare -648 3rd ST SW
   Recommendation to City Commission
   Declare Public Hearing Open
   Motion to Close Hearing
   Approve Conditional Use Permit for family daycare located at 648 3rd ST SW
   Roll Call: Erickson Carlblom Carlsrud Durheim Tykwinski Jacobson Schell
6. Public Hearing -Variance to increase number of children at daycare – 648 3rd ST SW
   Recommendation to City Commission
   Declare Public Hearing Open
   Motion to Close Hearing
   Approve variance to increase the number of children at daycare located at 648 3rd ST SW
   Roll Call: Tykwinski Carlblom Erickson Carlsrud Durheim Jacobson Schell
7. Public Hearing – Variance application to allow home occupation in garage located at 648 3rd ST SW
   Recommendation to City Commission
   Declare Public Hearing Open
   Motion to Close Hearing
   Approve variance application to allow home occupation in garage located at 648 3rd ST SW
   Roll Call: Durheim Carlblom Carlsrud Erickson Tykwinski Jacobson Schell
8. Public Hearing – Conditional Use Permit for home occupation of gunsmithing located at 648 3rd ST SW
   Recommendation to City Commission
   Declare Public Hearing Open
   Motion to Close Hearing
   Approve Conditional Use Permit for home occupant of gunsmithing – 648 3rd ST SW
   Roll Call: Carlblom Erickson Durheim Tykwinski Carlsrud Jacobson Schell
9. Adjourn

• Remember the Barnes County Salvation Army Service Unit is in the midst of its annual “Red Kettle Campaign. Please give what you can and “ring the bell”, it is heartwarming. For information, call Lenora at 701-840-1357 or Naomi at 701-541-1418. Thank you.
• Our change of seasons this year has been another unique experience, a longer fall, comfortable temperatures followed by snow, ice and cold! Over the weekend while Sue and I were walking, we were grateful to see the natural beauty of the very white blanket of snow. Hopefully it is about the right depth to ski, snowmobile and insulate water pipes.
• That there were more occurrences, please STOP for school buses when stop arms are displayed. Thank you.   
• December 7th was the 84th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The 1941 attack was a surprise military strike by the Empire of Japan on the United States Pacific Fleet at its Pearl Harbor Naval Base at Oahu, Hawaii. Two thousand Americans were killed and another thousand injured. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt announced a declaration of war December 8th entering the United States in World War II. Thank you to ALL veterans and remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
• Might you have some family and friends come to mind and wonder how they are doing? Tomorrow is not promised, how about calling someone and saying “hello.” it could make the day for you both.
• Parents and high school seniors who are customers of Valley City Public Works are encouraged to visit the Missouri River Energy Services website to apply for a $1,000 general college scholarship. The scholarship is for careers in energy, is renewable up to four years and applications are due in March.
• As winter was mentioned prior, driving slower is appropriate most of the time. Last week I was cruising along enjoying great road conditions, out of nowhere I was on “black ice” and breaking traction. Review winter driving tips and be safe.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave Carlsrud

On Thursday, November 20, 2025 starting at 6pm, the Valley City Fire Department will be conducting training exercises at 1010 2^nd St SE and 567 Viking Drive. There will be a presence of fire trucks and law enforcement officers. Once the training is complete, these properties will be allowed to burn down. Throughout the night police and fire officials will continue to check for hot spots. Please contact Scott Magnuson with any questions at 701-845-3351.

City Hall and Public Works offices will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

The Transfer Station will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 27. Thursday’s garbage will be picked up on Friday, November 28. Please have garbage out by 7 a.m. to ensure pick up.

The Valley City Planning and Zoning Commission has an immediate opening for a commissioner to fulfill the remainder of a five-year term ending in 2029.

Those interested are asked to submit name, address, phone number to the City Assessor (tdrabus@valleycity.us) by December 19, 2025. You may be contacted for additional information depending on the number of individuals that express interest in serving.

• Seven member board
• Must reside in City limits
• Meetings held on second Tuesday of every month, plus special meetings as required
• Regular attendance is expected
• $40 stipend per meeting
• Planning and Zoning Commission has authority to hear applications for conditional use permits, zoning ordinance amendments, rezoning of property, and land subdivision/platting, and to make recommendations to the Board of City Commissioners regarding the approval or denial of applications. P&Z has final decision making authority on variances from zoning requirements, and imposition of fines for violations of the zoning code.