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– Stutsman County auditor Casey Bradley said 11 townships in Stutsman County will have their mill levies increased to the maximum 36 mills after they failed to pay off one-year old balances to the county last week.

Bradley said between 12 townships, about $446,000 dollars was one-year overdue. One township came in and paid off its overdue balance before the Thursday deadline. Bradley said according to North Dakota Century Code, if any township is one year overdue on bills to the county, then the county can increase the levy to the maximum of 36 mills.

The county and township budgets have been hit hard with road repair and upkeep costs the last few years as wet springs and snowy winters are forcing more road work. Most of the overdue bills are for road work and upkeep performed by the county. Stutsman County has a total of 64 townships.

“Some are sitting very well and have no issues,” said Bradley, “But some have substantial problems. … We understand their problems, but we have them as well.”

According to Bradley, Stutsman County is looking at about $18 million worth of emergency road repair work next year.