quick google for an indepth explaination of a mil from whatis.com (http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci862852,00.html)

per mil symbol

The per mil symbol is used in mathematics, and especially in economics, to indicate parts per thousand. The symbol resembles a fraction with zero in the numerator and a double zero in the denominator ( ).

Suppose m and n are two integer s. The ratio or quotient m / n is converted to a per mil value by multiplying by 1000, and then reducing the result to decimal form. Thus, for example, to convert 3/50 to a per mil value, we first multiply by 1000, getting (3000/50) , and then reduce this to its simplest form, obtaining 60 . If we have 3/5 and want to convert it to a per mil value, we follow the same procedure, obtaining (3000/5) which reduces to 600 .

If we have a decimal number and want to convert it to a per mil value, we multiply it by 1000. Therefore, 0.06 is 60 , while 0.6 is 600 .

Per mil values are sometimes used to indicate the extent to which a quantity increases or decreases. Such values can be greater than 1000, indicating an increase to more than twice the original value, or negative, indicating a decrease in a value. For example, suppose an aircraft is traveling at 50 meters per second (m/s). If its speed changes to 125 m/s, it is an increase of 75 m/s which is 1.5 times the original speed, so the speed is said to change by +1500 . If the speed changes from 50 m/s to only 10 m/s, it decreases by 4/5, or 800 , of the original speed, so the speed is said to change by -800 .

Per mil values are sometimes used to express the extent of an annual tax levy on a property, particularly real estate. For example, if the levy is 15 in a particular area, that means $15 per $1000 of assessed value. A $300,000 house would thus be assessed an annual tax of $300,000 x 15 , or $4500.

Thanks Dakotadj.  I forgot to mention...an argument you'll hear from the east side of the state is the "our sales tax revenue generated from mall sales etc..." that is shared by the rest of the state is the same as the oil production tax.  Well, Williston certainly doesn't need to be concerned with that right now as we are currently the 5th largest city in sales revenue in the state and with the addition of one retail or supply chain such as Lowe's, we'd actually surpass Minot in this area. 

Join me at Leadership Williston this year (starts Oct. 8th) and you'll see city and county taxes and government in general in a whole new light.  The city mils have been maintained at a lower rate in order for the schools and county to take the bulk of the taxes.  However, the city infrastructure is at a higher demand as well as keeping city employees, thus something HAD to give.  If you get a chance, which you will as it will soon be published, you'll see that our city mils (taxes) are the fifth lowest of the bigger cities in the state.  In my opinion, once that information is published, people will re-think some things.

According to my knowledge and my personal opinion, here's something that we REALLY need to focus on, and REALLY follow through with what dakotadj is saying...we get next to nothing back from the state for what we pay in oil exploration taxes.  We are capped and get back roughly 3 percent or somewhere around 5 million dollars (someone correct me if I'm wrong).  This is crap considering what it costs to be an oil production center.  Take a look at the cost of keeping up our county roads.  Why are we supposed to pay for this? Considering what we contribute already to the state in oil exploration taxes, why can't we get a bigger chunk of that back from the state?

The uphill climb we face?  The number of legislators representing the eastern part of the state versus the west.  I believe we have good legislators representing us but we are far outnumbered and the interests of the eastern side of the state wind up taking presidence. 

If you have wealthy neighbors that contribute heavily to our current senators, talk to them about these issues.  We need to put pressure on the head honchos in the state and let them know we want better representation from THEM.  Otherwise taxes will remain an issue and could perhaps send us the other direction.

-- Edited by Steve Powell at 13:15, 2008-09-12

Exercise your right as a voter in Williams county and the state of North dakota, go on line find your contact numbers for the state representatives and govenor and bang on thier desk. There is as much oil in dakotas as anywhere and like Alaska, North Dakota should not even have state tax if they took their fair share of the benefits of black gold.   bitching to me and the online world doesn't get it done .. copy in your local representatives with the same bitch and encourage your friends and family to give thier input ..  God Bless America, Our military troops, the people, friends and family who were lost in 9-11 tragedy

VKO...have you studied the mil levies?  Compared them to other cities in the state?

Well, we're capped on how much oil exploration taxes we get back which is a crock of you know what. 

I'm just curious to get the thoughts of the residents when they read today's article in the Herald.  What are your thoughts, what do you first think about when you read that article?