III.1. 2023 Budget Meeting, 2023 Tax Levy, 2023 HRA-EDA Levy; BishopNovember 30, 2022 Council Report 2022-109
2023 BUDGET MEETING, 2023 TAX LEVY
2023 HRA/EDA LEVY AND GENERAL AND
SPECIAL REVENUE FUND BUDGETS
Proposed Action
The primary purpose of tonight’s meeting is to hold a public hearing on the proposed 2023
budget and tax levy. The 2023 property tax levy must be approved by December 28, 2022.
The following motion can be approved after the public hearing: Move to Adopt Resolution 2022-
081 Approving the 2023 Tax Levy, 2023 HRA Levy and Adopting the 2023 General and Special
Revenue Fund budgets.
Overview
The City’s Financial Management Plan and related budget projections were presented on June
14th. Based on information available at that time the tax levy for 2023 would be approximately
$19.25 million or a 6.10% increase from the 2022 Levy.
A draft version of the 2023 Budget and Tax Levy was prepared by staff and presented to City
Council on July 12th. The City also hosted a budget engagement session on August 15th that
reviewed this version of the budget and tax levy. The budget presented included the addition of
two full time employees and relied on general fund surplus to pay for capital projects. The tax
levy presented was $18,860,814 a $720,714 or 3.97% increase from 2022. City Council directed
staff to look for options to reduce this amount before the preliminary levy was adopted.
On September 6th City Council approved a preliminary tax levy of $18,766,224, which is a
$626,124 or 3.45% increase from 2022. The preliminary levy was reduced by using $50,000 of
park franchise fees to pay the debt levy for Burnes Park and the delayed start of the fire command
officer position.
The budget in its current form recommends spending in the general fund at $17,188,440 and a
total tax levy of $18,766,224. In addition, a proposed HRA/EDA levy of $451,531 is also being
recommended.
Primary Issues to Consider
•The 2023 levy must be certified to Hennepin County by December 28, 2022.
Supporting Information
• Tax Levy and Budget Overview
• HRA/EDA Levy Overview
• Truth in Taxation Statements Summary
• Resolution 2022-081
• 2023 General Fund and Special Revenue Fund Budgets
• 2023 Tax Levy Summary
• Association of MN Counties – “Why Property Taxes Vary from Year to Year”
Nick Bishop, CPA
Finance Director
Tax Levy and Budget Overview
The Final 2023 levy would be set at $18,766,224, a $626,124 or 3.45% increase from 2022.
Based on preliminary tax capacity information, city taxes on a median value home ($361,000)
will be $2,188, a $148 or 9.3% increase from 2022.
The two largest areas supported by the levy are public safety and capital projects & debt. This is
a breakdown of City property taxes:
Median
Value Home
($361,000) Percentage
Public Safety 869$ 39.8%
General Government 315$ 14.4%
Public Works 247$ 11.3%
Parks and Recreation 154$ 7.0%
Arts Center 40$ 1.8%
Activity Center 40$ 1.8%
Pavilion 40$ 1.8%
Capital projects & debt 483$ 22.1%
Total 2,188$ 100.0%
Public Safety is comprised of police, fire and inspection departments. In total they make up
39.8% of the levy.
The Police Department’s Mission is to serve the community with Honesty, Integrity and
Respect. They accomplish this through community engagement, relationship building
and providing education and youth initiatives. They also responded to 21,432 calls for
service in 2021. They work diligently to prevent and deter crime. The Police Department
will add one position in 2023 funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.
The Fire Department makes a positive difference everyday by providing quality fire
response, prevention services, emergency medical, hazardous materials handling and
emergency preparedness. In 2021, they responded to 1,585 calls. Their average response
time is 4.6 minutes. The Fire Department will conduct a staffing study in 2023 funded by
general fund surplus and add one position starting on July 1.
Inspections – this is the smallest department within public safety and accounts for 1.3%
of the tax levy. The Inspections Department budget is primarily funded through charges
for service. The 2023 budget includes revenues of $735,550 and expenditures of
$1,062,119. The Inspections Department will add one position in 2023 funded by
increased fees related to new development.
Capital projects and debt is the next largest portion of the levy making up 22.1%. It supports
street reconstruction, capital projects at municipal buildings and equipment purchases.
The City is completing a street reconstruction plan paid for through bond issuance,
special assessments and user charges for water, sewer and storm-sewer. All streets in
Hopkins are planned to be reconstructed by 2031. The current capital improvement plan
calls for a one year break in projects in 2024. Continuing this program ensures the future
preservation of our streets and helps maintain the quality of life Hopkins residents have
come to expect.
In order to fully realize the benefits of Southwest Light Rail the city invested in 8th
Avenue and created the Artery. The Artery is a bike, pedestrian and vehicle connection
and community space between a future light rail transit station and the City’s historic
downtown. The $5.7 million project leveraged $2.6 million of grants from Metropolitan
Council, Hennepin County and Three Rivers Park District.
The City has also invested in the Blake Road Corridor. The City is adding several
pedestrian friendly amenities including: multi-use trails, landscaped boulevards and
upgraded street lighting. The Road will also be upgraded to handle future traffic and
development demands. The $16 million project will receive reimbursements from
Hennepin County ($8 Million) and utilize Municipal State Aid of ($3 million).
The City’s share of the Artery project and Blake Road reconstruction were funded with
debt. They also took advantage of limited outside funding sources in order to make
needed improvements. Delaying the projects would likely result in higher costs and a
larger City-share of the overall cost.
The Arts Center levy being proposed is $347,697 or 1.8% of the total levy. The Arts Center is a
premiere cultural and artistic destination drawing over 250,000 visitors annually. The City
believes that it is an excellent economic development tool that helped make Mainstreet vibrant
and authentic. With this levy, the Arts Center will continue to be an asset to the Community.
The Activity Center is a separate facility that is included in the general fund budget. The general
fund levy amount being used for the Activity Center is $343,392 or 1.8% of the levy. The
Activity Center’s mission is to provide pathways to “Experience the Upside of Aging”. It is a
gathering place for mature adults. It is also used as a rental facility and community space.
The Pavilion levy being proposed is $340,000 or 1.8% of the levy. In 2018, the Pavilion was
upgraded and expanded. The City needed to complete a project to replace a 27-year old
refrigeration system that was unreliable, developing leaks and being phased out by the EPA. The
City was able to increase the scope of the project to include remodeled locker rooms, shower
rooms, expanded lobby, remodeled offices, remodeled concession stand and expanded restroom
facilities after receiving contributions from Hopkins School District ($1.0 Million) and Hopkins
Youth Hockey Association ($1.0 Million). The project still required bond proceeds of $3.1
million to complete. The debt service for the bonds will be paid with a Pavilion levy through
2033.
HRA/EDA Levy
The HRA/EDA Levy is the main revenue sources for the City’s Economic Development Fund
and plays an important role in the City’s continued efforts for redevelopment.
There are levy limits based on 0.01850% of the City’s estimated market value. The market value
used for the 2023 Levy is $2,440,709,800, resulting in a maximum tax levy of $451,531 which
would be an increase of $60,229 or 15.39% from 2022. The HRA/EDA was set at the maximum
allowed in 2018-2020 and lesser amounts in 2021-2022.
Tax Year
Maximum
Allowable Levy
HRA/EDA
Levy $ Increase
%
Increase
2018 331,367 331,337 21,137 6.81%
2019 350,154 350,154 18,817 5.68%
2020 367,951 367,951 17,797 5.08%
2021 407,727 378,070 10,119 2.75%
2022 434,750 391,302 13,232 3.50%
2023-Proposed 451,531 451,531 60,229 15.39%
For the proposed levy, taxes on a median value home (361,000) will be $53, a $10 or 23.3%
increase. The HRA/EDA levy is a separate levy and appears on tax statements under Other
Taxing Districts.
Economic Development Fund
The Fund coordinates the economic development processes not directly funded by specific
project budgets and also supports Artstreet, the Arts Center, the Façade Improvement program,
and marketing efforts. The main revenue sources of the fund are the HRA/EDA tax levy and
excess tax increment financing. The 2023 budget includes a $30,000 increase for marketing.
Truth in Taxation Summary
Based on preliminary levies, the total taxes on a median value home in Hopkins will increase by
$432 or 9.1%. Hennepin County and Hopkins Public Schools adopted preliminary levy increases
of 4.5% and 10.2%, respectively.
Actual 2022 Preliminary 2023 % Increase
Median Value Home 315,000 361,000 14.60%
Hennepin County 1,220.23 1,282.32 5.09%
City of Hopkins 2,002.68 2,188.24 9.27%
School District 270 1,261.76 1,429.36 13.28%
Metropolitan Council 68.56 70.08 2.22%
Other Special Taxing Districts 216.19 231.44 7.05%
4,769.42 5,201.44 9.06%
TOTAL TAX COMPARISON
Hennepin County provides Cities with summarized data from Truth in Taxation statements. The
following chart shows the percentage of each property type that will see a decrease or increase in
total taxes based on preliminary levies. Residential properties, which includes single family
houses, condominiums, townhomes and duplexes, will see the largest increases.
Residential Apartment
Commercial/
Industrial
Decrease/No Change 6.92% 52.85% 64.44%
Increase .1% - 4.9%21.73% 17.16% 15.56%
Increase 5.0% - 9.9%34.26% 15.71% 11.85%
Increase 10.0% - 14.9%26.33% 5.71% 1.48%
Increase 15.0% and Over 10.76% 8.57% 6.67%
*based on total taxes
CITY OF HOPKINS
Tax changes are caused by both the preliminary property tax levies and changes to estimated
market values. The value of residential has grown at a faster rate than the value of apartments and
commercial/industrial properties. This causes a shift of property taxes to residential. Most Cities
in Hennepin County are experiencing the same value and tax changes. This chart shows the
changes in total taxes for residential properties in Hopkins and Suburban Hennepin County.
City of
Hopkins
Suburban
Hennepin
County
Decrease/No Change 6.92% 7.93%
Increase .1% - 4.9%21.73% 19.63%
Increase 5.0% - 9.9%34.26% 32.47%
Increase 10.0% - 14.9%26.33% 27.26%
Increase 15.0% and Over 10.76% 12.71%
*based on total taxes
RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY PROPERTIES
CITY OF HOPKINS
Hennepin County, Minnesota
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-081
RESOLUTION APPROVING 2023 TAX LEVY, 2023 HRA LEVY
AND ADOPTING THE 2022 GENERAL AND
SPECIAL REVEUNE FUND BUDGETS
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOPKINS, MINNESOTA,
That the following sums of money be levied for the current year collectible in 2023 upon the
taxable property in the City of Hopkins, for the following purposes.
General Levy
General Operations $14,873,478
Special Levies
Debt Levies
2014A GO Bonds 100,000
2015A GO Street Reconstruction Bonds 255,000
2015B GO Tax Abatement Bonds 125,000
2016A GO Improvement Bonds 102,000
2016B GO Tax Abatement Bonds 37,411
2016C Equipment Certificates 205,000
2017A GO Street Reconstruction Bonds 940,000
2017B GO Tax Abatement Bonds 111,860
2018A GO Equipment Certificates 80,535
2018A GO Improvement Bonds 435,000
2019A GO Bonds 315,000
2019B GO Refunding Bonds 118,300
2020A GO Bonds 194,993
2020B GO Refunding Bonds 322,537
2021A GO Bonds 212,717
2022A GO Bonds 337,393
Subtotal Special Levies 3,892,746
Total Levy $18,766,224
HRA/EDA Levy
Housing & Redevelopment Authority Levy $ 451,531
This levy is made based on current law and the 2023 General Fund Budget of $17,188,440.
That based upon staff analysis of specials assessments currently levied for Permanent Improvement Bonds,
alternative revenue sources for the Capital Improvement Bonds and Equipment Certificates, and available reserves
within all debt service funds listed below, that the debt service levies for 2023 for the following issues be levied at
amounts less than that provided by the bond covenants.
Net Debt
Bond Issue Service Levy
$1,895,000 G.O. Improvement Bonds of 2014A (B2964) $ 100,000
$4,100,000 G.O. Street Reconstruction bonds of 2015A (B3031) $ 255,000
$4,335,000 G.O. Improvement Bonds of 2016A (B3123) $ 102,000
$1,875,000 G.O. Bonds of 2016C (B3020) $ 205,000
$11,795,000 G.O. Street Reconstruction Bonds of 2017A (B3198) $ 940,000
$3,170,000 G.O. General Obligation Bonds of 2017B $ 111,860
$6,715,000 G.O. Bonds of 2018A (B3024) $ 435,000
$3,285,000 G.O. Tax Abatement Bonds of 2018B (B3023) $ 0
$12,185,000 G.O. Bonds of 2019A (B3025) $ 315,000
$2,015,000 G.O. Refunding Bonds of 2019B (B3026) $ 118,300
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the following amounts are budgeted for the Special Revenue Funds:
State Chemical Assessment $65,000 TIF 2.9 Oaks of Main $8,591
Economic Development $519,236 TIF 2.11 Super Valu $3,700,000
TIF 1.2 Entertainment District $16,046 5th Avenue Flats $0
Parking $158,610 TIF 1.4 – Marketplace & Main $215,828
Hopkins Race & Equity Initiative $6,000 TIF 1.5 – Moline $2,487,887
Communication (Cable TV) $293,596 Arts Center $1,104,132
Depot Coffee House $263,224
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is hereby ordered and directed to transmit a certified
copy of this resolution to the County Auditor of Hennepin County, Minnesota.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins on this this 30th day of November, 2022.
_______________________________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
City of Hopkins
General Fund Revenue Budget
For the Year Ending December 31, 2023
RECOMMENDED
November 30, 2022
Department 2022 Budget 2023 Budget
% Increase
(Decrease)
Property Taxes 13,304,739 14,020,781 5.38%
Intergovernmental Revenue
Local Government Aid 880,066 925,794
Intergovernmental Revenue - Other 622,000 705,000
Total Intergovernmental Revenue 1,502,066 1,630,794 8.57%
Licenses, Permits & Fines
Court Fines & Penalties 176,000 176,000
Building Permits & Inspections 475,500 557,000
Inspection Fines & Citations 2,500 3,000
City Clerk - Business Licenses 7,000 8,000
PD - Liquor, Animal Licenses & Penalties 98,300 101,800
Fire - Licenses & Permits 2,300 4,000
Public Works - Licenses & Permits 19,415 19,415
Planning & Zoning - Licenses & Permits 1,000 1,000
Total Licenses, Permits & Fines 782,015 870,215 11.28%
Charges for Service
Finance Department 5,500 5,500
Assessing 3,000 3,000
Inspections 109,400 175,450
Police 35,000 35,000
Fire 10,500 10,500
Public Works 3,150 3,150
Activity Center 90,000 94,300
Total Charges for Service 256,550 326,900 27.42%
Miscellaneous Revenue
Franchise Fees 296,200 296,200
Miscellaneous 15,250 20,250
Finance Department 3,000 3,000
Police 500 500
Fire 3,500 3,500
Public Works 5,300 5,300
Activity Center 4,500 11,000
Total Miscellaneous 328,250 339,750 3.50%
Total Revenues 16,173,620 17,188,440 6.27%
City of Hopkins
General Fund Expenditure Budget
For the Year Ending December 31, 2023
RECOMMENDED
November 30, 2022
Department 2022 Budget 2023 Budget
% Increase
(Decrease)
City Council 104,699 105,851 1.10%
Administrative Services 912,950 1,020,031 11.73%
Finance 462,665 488,794 5.65%
Legal 225,000 225,000 0.00%
Municipal Building 380,901 380,832 -0.02%
Assessing 244,158 256,089 4.89%
City Clerk 219,803 245,466 11.68%
Inspections 904,960 1,062,119 17.37%
Police 6,417,543 6,958,766 8.43%
Fire 1,616,824 1,633,390 1.02%
Public Works 3,509,559 3,632,027 3.49%
Recreation 295,475 306,993 3.90%
Activity Center 466,388 486,192 4.25%
Planning & Zoning 204,784 170,842 -16.57%
Community Development 118,711 126,848 6.85%
Tuition Reimbursement 19,200 19,200 0.00%
Contingency 50,000 50,000 0.00%
Transfer to Other Funds 20,000 20,000 0.00%
Total Expenditures 16,173,620 17,188,440 6.27%
City of Hopkins
Special Revnue Funds Budget
For the Year Ending December 31, 2022
RECOMMENDED
November 30, 2022
Revenues
Fund No.2021 Budget 2022 Budget
% Increase
(Decrease)
203 State Chemical Assessment 65,000 65,000 0.00%
204 Economic Development 506,302 571,531 12.88%
211 TIF 1.2 Entertainment District 30,000 45,000 50.00%
214 Parking 130,500 143,250 9.77%
216 Hopkins Race & Equity Iniative 6,000 6,000 0.00%
217 Communications (Cable TV)243,000 233,000 (4.12%)
219 Depot Coffee House 254,169 248,224 (2.34%)
229 TIF 2.9 Oaks of Main 250 250 0.00%
231 TIF 2.11 Super Valu 2,370,000 2,820,000 18.99%
232 5th Avenue Flats - - 0.00%
233 TIF 1.4 - Marketplace & Main 206,300 226,000 9.55%
234 TIF 1.5 - The Moline 1,015,000 2,515,000 147.78%
250 Arts Center 1,087,458 1,164,132 7.05%
Expenditures
Fund No.2021 Budget 2022 Budget
% Increase
(Decrease)
203 State Chemical Assessment 65,000 65,000 0.00%
204 Economic Development 502,072 519,236 3.42%
211 TIF 1.2 Entertainment District 9,046 16,046 77.38%
214 Parking 162,030 158,610 (2.11%)
216 Hopkins Race & Equity Iniative 6,000 6,000 0.00%
217 Communications (Cable TV)271,945 293,596 7.96%
219 Depot Coffee House 254,169 263,224 3.56%
229 TIF 2.9 Oaks of Main 8,591 8,591 0.00%
231 TIF 2.11 Super Valu 2,150,000 3,700,000 72.09%
232 5th Avenue Flats - - 0.00%
233 TIF 1.4 - Marketplace & Main 201,410 215,828 7.16%
234 TIF 1.5 - The Moline 944,101 2,487,887 163.52%
250 Arts Center 1,027,458 1,104,132 7.46%
Fund
Fund
City of Hopkins
Tax Levy
For the Year Ending December 31, 2023
RECOMMENDED
November 30, 2022
Actual Preliminary % Increase
Purpose FY2022 FY2023 (Decrease)
General Operations
General Fund 13,219,739 13,935,781 5.42%
Capital Levy 50,000 - -100.00%
Arts Center 339,317 347,697 2.47%
Pavilion Fund 418,000 340,000 -18.66%
Equipment Replacement - 250,000 100.00%
Permanent Improvement 110,000 - -100.00%
Total General Operations 14,137,056 14,873,478 5.21%
Debt Levy 4,003,044 3,892,746 -2.76%
Total Levy 18,140,100 18,766,224 3.45%
A publication of the Association of Minnesota Counties
THE MARKET VALUE OF A PROPERTY MAY CHANGE.
• Each parcel of property is assessed at least once every five years and a sales ratio study
is done to determine if the property is assessed similarly to like properties. If not, the
Commissioner of Revenue may issue an ‘order’ that would affect the taxable value of a
parcel.
• Additions and improvement made to a property generally increases its market value.
THE MARKET VALUE OF OTHER PROPERTIES IN
YOUR TAXING DISTRICT MAY CHANGE, SHIFTING
TAXES FROM ONE PROPERTY TO ANOTHER.
• If the market value of a property increases more or less than the average increase or
decrease in a taxing district, the taxes on that property will also change.
• New construction in a taxing district increases the tax base and will affect the district’s tax
rate.
THE STATE GENERAL PROPERTY TAX MAY CHANGE.
• The state legislature directly applies a State General Property Tax to commercial/industrial
and season/recreational property classes.
Fourteen Reasons
WHY PROPERTY TAXES VARY
FROM YEAR TO YEAR
A publication of the Association of Minnesota Counties
THE CITY BUDGET AND LEVY MAY CHANGE.
• Each year, cities review the needs and wants of their citizens and how to meet those needs
and wants. This is called ‘discretionary spending’ in the city budget. Also included in the
budget is non-discretionary spending which is required by state and federal mandates
and court decisions and orders.
THE TOWNSHIP BUDGET AND LEVY MAY CHANGE.
• Each March, townships set the levy and budget for the next year.
THE COUNTY BUDGET AND LEVY MAY CHANGE.
• Each year, counties review the needs and wants of their citizens and how to meet those
discretionary needs and wants. In addition, also included in the county budget is non-
discretionary spending which is required by state and federal mandates and court
decisions and orders. As much as sixty to eighty-five percent of the county expenditures
are used to deliver mandated services.
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT’S BUDGET AND LEVY MAY
CHANGE.
• The Legislature determines basic funding levels for K-12 education and mandates services
that schools must perform. On average, approximately seventy percent of school costs
are paid by the state.
• Local school districts set levies for purposes including safe school and community
education, etc.
A SPECIAL DISTRICT’S BUDGET AND LEVY MAY
CHANGE.
• Special districts such as the Metropolitan Council, hospital districts, watershed districts,
drainage districts, etc. set levies to balance their budgets.
SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS MAY BE ADDED TO YOUR
PROPERTY TAX BILL.
• Water lines, curb and gutter, and street improvements that directly benefit your property
may be funded, in whole or in part, through a special assessment that is added to your tax
bill.
A publication of the Association of Minnesota Counties
VOTERS MAY HAVE APPROVED A SCHOOL, CITY/
TOWNSHIP, COUNTY, OR SPECIAL DISTRICT
REFERENDUM.
• Local referendums may be held for local government construction projects, excess operating
levies for schools or many other purposes.
• Referendum levies may be spread on the market value or the tax capacity of a property
depending on process and type of referendum levy.
FEDERAL AND STATE MANDATES MAY HAVE CHANGED.
• Both the state and federal governments require local governments to provide certain services
and follow certain rules. These mandates often require an increase in the cost and level of
service delivery.
AID AND REVENUE FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL
GOVERNMENTS MAY HAVE CHANGED.
• Each year the state legislature reviews and adjusts the level of funding for a variety of aids
provided to local governments including Local Government Aid and County Program Aid.
The formulas for how aid is determined and distributed among local governments may have
changed.
• While direct aid and revenue from the federal government to local governments has declined
greatly in recent years, federal revenue continues to be a key portion of the local government
revenue stream and that revenue stream may have changed.
THE STATE LEGISLATURE MAY HAVE CHANGED THE
PORTION OF THE TAX BASE PAID BY DIFFERENT
TYPES OF PROPERTIES.
• A change in class rates will require a change in the tax rate to raise the same amount of money.
OTHER STATE LAW CHANGES MAY ADJUST THE TAX
BASE.
• Fiscal disparities, personal property taxes on utility properties, limited market value, and tax
increment financing are example of laws that affect property taxes.
CATEGORICAL AID: Aid given to a local unit of government to be used only
for a specific purpose.
CIRCUIT BREAKER: See “Property Tax Refund.”
CLASS RATES: The percent of market value set by state law that establishes
the property’s tax capacity subject to the property tax.
COUNTY PROGRAM AID: State property tax relief aid to counties, distributed
with a formula based on needs (households on foodstamps, age of the
population, number of serious crimes) and tax base equalization for counties
with smaller tax bases.
EDUCATION AID: The total amount of state dollars paid for K-12 education.
This aid is paid to the school districts.
FISCAL DISPARITIES: A program in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and on
the iron range in which a portion of the commercial and industrial property
value of each city and township is contributed to a tax base sharing pool. Each
city and township then receives a distribution of property value from the pool
based on market value and population in each city.
GENERAL PURPOSE AID: Aid given to units of government to be used at their
own discretion. Examples are Local Government Aid and County Program Aid.
HIGHWAY AID: Motor fuels tax and license tab money the state distributes
to counties, cities and townships for highways and bridges.
HOMESTEAD: A residence occupied by the owner.
INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX: A state tax on the income of residents and non-
residents with Minnesota sources of income that is deposited into the state
general fund.
LEVY: The imposition of a tax, associated with the property tax.
LEVY LIMIT: The amount a local unit of government is permitted to levy for
specific services under state law.
LIMITED MARKET VALUE: A state imposed limit on property value increases
for the purpose of calculating property taxes.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID (LGA): A state government revenue sharing
program for cities with low property wealth or high service burdens that is
intended to provide an alternative to the property tax.
LOCAL SALES TAX: A local tax, authorized by the state, levied on the sale of
goods and services to be used for specific purposes by the local government.
LOCAL TAX RATE: The tax rate usually expressed as a percentage of tax
capacity, used to determine the property tax due on a property.
MARKET VALUE: An assessor’s estimate of what property would be worth
if it were sold.
MARKET VALUE AGRICULTURE CREDIT: A state credit to reduce the property
tax paid by agricultural homesteads to the local taxing jurisdiction.
MARKET VALUE HOMESTEAD CREDIT: The Market Value Homestead Credit
(MVHC) program was eliminated during the 2011 Special Session for taxes
payable in 2012 and beyond. The credit was replaced with a market value
exclusion (defined below). This guide describes the (MVHC) reimbursement
program. The program was designed to provide state-paid property tax relief
to owners of certain qualifying homestead property.
MARKET VALUE HOMESTEAD EXCLUSION: The exclusion reduces the taxable
value of qualifying homesteads. Despite the decreased taxable value, taxes
will increase on most properties including apartments and businesses and
is independent of any action taken by local governments. The exclusion
provides for a portion of each home’s market value to be excluded from its
value for property tax calculations. The amount of value excluded is directly
proportional to the MVHC the home received under the old law. In this way,
each home contributes a smaller amount to each taxing jurisdiction’s tax
base. The tax rate tends to be a little higher because of the reduced tax base,
which is why taxes increase for the other types of property. The tax burden
on any given homestead could be lesser or greater depending upon the mix
of properties in the jurisdiction and the level of the tax rate.
PROPERTY TAX: A tax levied on any kind of property.
PROPERTY TAX REFUND: A partial property tax refund program for those
who have property taxes out of proportion with their income. This program
is available to homeowners and renters.
SALES RATIO STUDY: A study conducted by the
Department of Revenue of open market property sales, which is then
compared to local assessments to ensure that local assessments adequately
reflect the market.
STATE GENERAL PROPERTY TAX: A state-imposed property tax on commercial,
industrial, and seasonal recreational properties.
STATE SALES TAX: A state tax (6.5%) levied on the sale of goods and services
that is deposited into the state general fund.
TAX CAPACITY: The valuation of property based on market value and class
rates, on which property taxes are determined.
Revised October 2014
Glossary of Terms
Association of Minnesota Counties
125 Charles Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55103-2108
Main Line/Switchboard: 651.224.3344 Fax: 651.224.6540
www.mncounties.org