V.1. Resolution Approving the 2025 Tax Levy, 2025 HRA Levy and Adopting the 2025 General and Special Revenue Fund Budgets; Bishop
CITY OF HOPKINS
City Council Report 2024-146
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Nick Bishop, Finance Director
Date: December 2, 2024
Subject: Hold 2025 Truth in Taxation Hearing and Approve 2025 Tax Levies and
Budgets
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
MOTION TO Adopt Resolution 2024-069 Approving the 2025 Tax Levy, 2025 HRA Levy
and Adopting the 2025 General and Special Revenue Fund Budgets.
OVERVIEW
The tax levy being recommended is $20,648,105, a $969,166 or 4.92% increase from
2024. City taxes on a median value home ($378,800) will be $2,254, a $63 or 2.88%
increase from 2024.
The tax levy being proposed has been reduced by $135,450 since the preliminary levy
was adopted on September 3rd. $105,450 of the reductions were based on staff review
and refinement of submitted budgets and have no service impacts. The remaining
$30,000 reduces Climate Solution Fund grants expenditures from $150,000 to
$120,000.
The final levy can be adopted any time after the close of the public hearing but must be
adopted and submitted to Hennepin County by December 28th.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
• Tax Levy and Budget Overview
• HRA/EDA Levy Overview
• Truth in Taxation Statements Summary
• 2025 Tax Levy Summary
• 2025 General Fund and Special Revenue Fund Budgets
• Truth in Taxation FAQ’s – Hennepin County Assessor’s Office
• Resolution 2024-069
Finance Department
Tax Levy and Budget Overview
The Final 2025 levy would be set at $20,648,105, a $969,166 or 4.92% increase from
2024. City taxes on a median value home ($378,800) will be $2,254, a $63 or 2.88%
increase from 2024.
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
($378,800) Percentage
Public Safety 861$ 38.2%
General Government 344$ 15.3%
Public Works 276$ 12.2%
Parks and Recreation 159$ 7.1%
Pavilion 49$ 2.2%
Arts Center 41$ 1.8%
Activity Center 41$ 1.8%
Capital projects & debt 483$ 21.4%
Total 2,254$ 100.0%
Public Safety is comprised of police, fire and inspection departments. In total they make
up 38.2% 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 25,706 calls for
service in 2023. They work diligently to prevent and deter crime.
The Fire Department makes a positive difference everyday by providing quality fire
response, prevention services, emergency medical, hazardous materials handling and
emergency preparedness. In 2023, they responded to 2,262 calls. Their average
response time is 4.6 minutes.
Inspections – this is the smallest department within public safety and accounts for 0.8%
of the tax levy. The Inspections Department budget is primarily funded through charges
for service. The 2025 budget includes revenues of $971,275 and expenditures of
$1,265,343.
Capital projects and debt is the next largest portion of the levy making up 21.4%. 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 2030. 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 Pavilion levy being proposed is $448,500 or 2.2% 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.
The Arts Center levy being proposed is $380,000 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 $378,899 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.
HRA/EDA Levy Overview
The HRA/EDA Levy is the main revenue source 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 2025 Levy is $2,847,535,300, resulting in a maximum tax levy
of $526,794 which would be an increase of $39,141 or 8.03% from 2024. The proposed
levy is $511,646 a $23,993 or 4.92% increase from 2024.
Tax Year
Maximum
Allowable Levy
HRA/EDA
Levy $ Increase % Increase
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 451,531 451,531 60,229 15.39%
2024 497,414 487,653 36,122 8.00%
2025-Proposed 526,794 511,646 23,993 4.92%
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 2025 budget includes
the additions for 1/3 of the planner position focusing on micromobility, bike and
pedestrian planning one mural project and increased marketing. The planner position
and mural project were previously funded through federal grants.
Truth in Taxation Summary
Based on preliminary levies, the total taxes on a median value home in Hopkins will
increase by $157 or 2.98%. Hennepin County adopted a preliminary levy increase of
5.5% and Hopkins Public Schools adopted a preliminary levy decrease of 2.7%.
.
Actual 2024 Preliminary 2025 % Increase
Median Value Home 369,300 378,800 2.57%
Hennepin County 1,266.90 1,351.55 6.68%
City of Hopkins 2,191.22 2,270.29 3.61%
School District 270 1,493.21 1,460.52 -2.19%
Metropolitan Council 67.69 74.00 9.32%
Other Special Taxing Districts 269.23 289.26 7.44%
5,288.25 5,445.62 2.98%
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. The changes are
caused by preliminary tax levies, changes to estimated market value and changes to
the homestead market value exclusion program. Residential properties include single
family houses, condominiums, townhomes and duplexes. Apartments will see the
largest decreases.
Residential Apartment
Commercial/
Industrial
Decrease/No Change 20.83% 8.93% 5.84%
Increase .1% - 4.9%37.18% 62.50% 60.31%
Increase 5.0% - 9.9%30.18% 12.50% 29.18%
Increase 10.0% - 14.9%7.96% 7.14% 3.11%
Increase 15.0% and Over 3.85% 8.93% 1.56%
*based on total taxes
CITY OF HOPKINS
Most Cities in Hennepin County are experiencing similar trends. This chart shows the
changes in total taxes for residential properties in Hopkins and Hennepin County.
City of
Hopkins
Suburban
Hennepin
C ounty
Hennepin
County
Decrease/No Change 20.83% 22.77% 19.01%
Increase .1% - 4.9%37.18% 39.68% 35.38%
Increase 5.0% - 9.9%30.18% 29.14% 31.30%
Increase 10.0% - 14.9%7.96% 6.30% 10.45%
Increase 15.0% and Over 3.85% 2.11% 3.86%
*based on total taxes
RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY PROPERTIES
City of Hopkins
Tax Levy
For the Year Ending December 31, 2025
RECOMMENDED
December 2, 2024
Actual RECOMMENDED % Increase
Purpose FY2024 FY 2025 (Decrease)
General Operations
General Fund 14,426,326 15,321,075 6.20%
Capital Levy - 445,000 100.00%
Arts Center 345,000 380,000 10.14%
Pavilion Fund 440,000 448,500 1.93%
Equipment Replacement 360,000 180,000 -50.00%
Permanent Improvement - 50,000 100.00%
Parking - 75,000 100.00%
Total General Operations 15,571,326 16,899,575 8.53%
Debt Levy 4,107,613 3,748,530 -8.74%
Total Levy 19,678,939 20,648,105 4.92%
Actual Recommended
FY2024 4.92% Increase
City Taxes 2,191$ 2,254$
Dollar Increase 3$ 63$
Percentage Increase 0.14%2.88%
Tax Calculation for a Median Value Home
City of Hopkins
General Fund Revenue Budget
For the Year Ending December 31, 2025
RECOMMENDED
December 2, 2024
Department 2024 Budget 2025 Budget
% Increase
(Decrease)
Property Taxes 14,511,326 15,406,075 6.17%
Intergovernmental Revenue
Local Government Aid 1,081,012 1,084,775
Intergovernmental Revenue - Other 797,000 810,000
Total Intergovernmental Revenue 1,878,012 1,894,775 0.89%
Licenses, Permits & Fines
Court Fines & Penalties 176,000 176,000
Building Permits & Inspections 563,000 693,500
Inspection Fines & Citations 3,000 3,000
City Clerk - Business Licenses 8,900 12,400
PD - Liquor, Animal Licenses & Penalties 101,800 110,150
Fire - Licenses & Permits 4,000 4,000
Public Works - Licenses & Permits 19,615 19,615
Planning & Zoning - Licenses & Permits 2,000 4,000
Total Licenses, Permits & Fines 878,315 1,022,665 16.43%
Charges for Service
Finance Department 8,500 8,600
Inspections 175,450 274,775
Police 35,000 35,000
Fire 10,500 10,500
Public Works 3,150 3,000
Activity Center 118,500 154,500
Planning & Zoning - 16,000
Total Charges for Service 351,100 502,375 43.09%
Miscellaneous Revenue
Franchise Fees 346,200 620,600
Miscellaneous 25,250 45,000
Finance Department 3,000 3,000
Police 500 500
Fire 3,500 3,500
Public Works 10,600 8,000
Activity Center 14,000 14,000
Total Miscellaneous 403,050 694,600 72.34%
Total Revenues 18,021,803 19,520,490 8.32%
City of Hopkins
General Fund Expenditure Budget
For the Year Ending December 31, 2025
RECOMMENDED
December 2, 2024
Department 2024 Budget 2025 Budget
% Increase
(Decrease)
City Council 133,033 156,598 17.71%
Administrative Services 536,656 661,290 23.22%
Communications - 240,000 100.00%
Information Technology 644,926 718,226 11.37%
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 133,530 107,000 -19.87%
Finance 732,254 616,129 -15.86%
Legal 250,000 265,000 6.00%
Municipal Building 404,690 407,462 0.68%
City Clerk 339,242 327,542 -3.45%
Inspections 1,208,270 1,265,343 4.72%
Police 7,185,841 7,519,164 4.64%
Fire 1,709,014 1,982,178 15.98%
Public Works 3,858,812 4,289,317 11.16%
Recreation 276,441 276,735 0.11%
Activity Center 554,334 609,694 9.99%
Planning & Zoning 196,248 247,455 26.09%
Community Development 129,312 125,357 -3.06%
Tuition Reimbursement 19,200 19,200 0.00%
Contingency 50,000 25,000 -50.00%
Transfer to Depot/ACE Program 60,000 61,800 3.00%
Total Expenditures 18,421,803 19,920,490 8.14%
City of Hopkins
Special Revnue Funds Budget
For the Year Ending December 31, 2025
RECOMMENDED
December 2, 2024
Revenues
Fund No.2024 Budget 2025 Budget
% Increase
(Decrease)
203 State Chemical Assessment 65,000 65,000 0.00%
204 Economic Development 557,706 591,646 6.09%
212 MN Public Safety 439,095 453,901 3.37%
214 Parking 125,000 164,000 31.20%
216 Hopkins Race & Equity Iniative 6,000 6,000 0.00%
217 Communications (Cable TV)230,000 30,961 (86.54%)
219 Depot Coffee House 203,832 285,611 40.12%
231 TIF 2.11 Super Valu 2,820,000 2,820,000 0.00%
233 TIF 1.4 - Marketplace & Main 226,000 245,000 8.41%
234 TIF 1.5 - The Moline 2,515,000 1,770,000 (29.62%)
250 Arts Center 1,172,650 1,232,470 5.10%
260 Sustainability 385,000 345,000 (10.39%)
Expenditures
Fund No.2024 Budget 2025 Budget
% Increase
(Decrease)
203 State Chemical Assessment 65,000 65,000 0.00%
204 Economic Development 520,278 555,646 6.80%
212 MN Public Safety 439,095 453,901 3.37%
214 Parking 159,894 161,185 0.81%
216 Hopkins Race & Equity Iniative 6,000 6,000 0.00%
217 Communications (Cable TV)281,487 30,961 (89.00%)
219 Depot 183,832 270,611 47.21%
231 TIF 2.11 Super Valu 2,875,266 2,900,000 0.86%
233 TIF 1.4 - Marketplace & Main 214,948 44,768 (79.17%)
234 TIF 1.5 - The Moline 2,530,195 1,729,914 (31.63%)
250 Arts Center 1,144,097 1,219,259 6.57%
260 Sustainability 385,000 345,000 (10.39%)
Fund
Fund
Hennepin County Assessor’s Office
300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487
hennepin.us
Truth in Taxation FAQ’s
Tax Questions
Why did my taxes go up?
There are several items that affect your property taxes. Items that typically have a large impact include:
• Changes to the tax levy (amount of money a government wants to collect from property taxes) made by the city,
county, school district or special taxing districts.
• Changes to the market value of your property.
• Changes in the market values for the area or a shift in values for a certain type of property.
• Legislative changes to the property classification rates, state aid formulas and other tax laws.
• Legislative unfunded mandates (usually seen as an increase in local government tax levy).
• New taxes approved by referendum.
Why did my taxes go up more than my neighbors?
Properties within the same neighborhood may show different value changes based on physical characteristics.
There are numerous factors to be considered in each property, which will cause value to change differently. Some
of the factors that can affect value are location, condition, size, updates or remodeling, quality of construction,
number and type of amenities such as baths and fireplaces, basement finish, garages, decks, porches, and many
others. Property information may have been corrected, resulting in an increase or decrease in value different from
your neighbor.
My neighbor doesn’t keep his house up and I do—And I get penalized for it in the form of higher
taxes. Why? It’s not fair!
Property taxes are calculated using the market value. Market values are based on what your home could sell for
on the open market. A home that is well maintained should sell for more than a home that is not.
Who do I talk to about why my taxes increased or how to lower my taxes?
There are three entities that have a role in determining your property tax.
• The State Legislature establishes property classes and class rates, determines levels of state aid to local units
of government, sets the state general tax rate, and mandates unfunded programs to local government.
• Local units of government determine their tax levy amount.
• The county assessor assigns each property a market value and property classification as provided by state
statute.
The property tax is the result of actions taken by all three entities. The times and dates for the appropriate budget
meetings impacting your property are on the TNT notice. The purpose of these meetings is for the taxing
authorities to gain feedback and guidance to help finalize their budgets.
Are there any programs out there, where can I get some property tax relief?
https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/property-tax-refund
Minnesota has two types of property tax refunds for homeowners: the regular property tax refund and the special
property tax refund.
You may be eligible for one or both, depending on your income and the size of your property tax bill.
• The regular property tax refund is based on your household income and the amount of property tax you pay
on your principal residence.
• The special property tax refund requires your net property tax to have increased by more than 12% and at
least $100. The special property tax refund is not based on income.
• Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral Program: This program allows people 65 or older to defer a portion of
their homestead property taxes and is also administered by the State of Minnesota.
Is it likely that the amount on my proposed property tax notice will be different than the
amount on my tax statement?
The amount on the proposed tax notice is an estimate. The actual amount will likely differ due to:
• New school referendums could cause the estimate to be higher or lower than the estimated tax amount
depending on if the referendum passes or not.
• Change in homestead classifications.
• Jurisdictions lowering their levy. The statement currently contains the maximum levy the taxing authorities can
pass, this is usually very close to the actual tax amount, but it could change based on input received at the
meeting.
• Special assessments and other non-tax charges that may be billed on the tax statement.
Value Questions
How can you raise my value this much?
There is no limit on the amount your property value can increase in any given year. Values are based on the
market and what the property would sell for as of January 2 nd of each year.
I haven’t done anything to my house in 10 years, but my value and taxes keep going up. Why?
The estimated market value is what the assessor estimates your property would likely sell for on the open market.
The estimated market value on your property indicates the value as of January 2, 202 4, for taxes payable in 2025.
Property values can increase or decrease depending on the market even if no improvements have been made to
the property.
I just bought my property and want to know why you have my value more than my purchased
price. I want to appeal the value, what is my option? Is it too late to appeal my value?
The sale itself may not be a good, arm’s length transaction. The sale could have been a purchase of a foreclosure
or a transaction between related parties. Refer to the sales verification document to guide you in more specific
questions about the sale.
Every spring, value notices are mailed out to property owners. Some cities have local board meetings and others
have open book meetings. If your city has a local board meeting, you have from the time you receive your notice
to the date of the meeting to appeal your value. If your city has an open book meeting , you have from the time
you receive your notice until mid-May to appeal your value.
Once this window has passed the only option is to appeal to tax court.
• Depending on the type of appeal, you may take your case to either the Small Claims Division or the Regular
Division of Tax Court. You have until April 30 of the year in which the taxes are payable to file an appeal with
the Small Claims Division or the Regular Division of Tax Court for your valuation and classification.
• For more information, contact the Minnesota Tax Court:
• Phone: 651-539-3260 or for MN Relay call 1-800-627-3529
• On the web: https://mn.gov/tax-court/forms/
Why do I have an improvement on my property when I didn’t do anything?
This is the assessor’s estimate of the value of new or previously unassessed improvements made to your property.
This amount is included in the estimated market value of your property.
How do you assess my property and what is it based on? How do I know it’s fair?
Assessors value properties using a mass appraisal process to review sales of similar properties in the area over a
set time period. This “estimated market value” represents what your property would sell for in an “arms -length”
sale on the open market.
To estimate a property’s 2024 market value, the assessor reviews property sales from October 1, 2022, to
September 30, 2023. They adjust the prices for market trends to estimate the market value of your property on
the next assessment date, January 2, 2024.
Property owners can also look at the Hennepin County website and see what neighboring properties are valued at
and what nearby properties have sold for.
The building right next door to mine is valued lower but it is the same, why?
There are multiple reasons why two similar buildings may be valued differently. First, the building may be the
same, but the use is different which could constitute a different value. Or the outside of the structures are similar,
but the inside of one of them may have gone through a major remodel and the interior quality of construction
may be superior. Also, the site the structures sit on could be different in size or even location such as on a lake
versus the non-lakeshore one across the street.
Why is my value increasing when the market is declining?
To estimate a property’s 2024 market value, the assessor reviews property sales from October 1, 2022, to
September 30, 2023. They adjust the prices for market trends to estimate the market value of your property on
the next assessment date, January 2, 2024.
Sales that have occurred between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, will be analyzed and reviewed for the
2025 assessment for taxes payable in 2026. The Notice of Valuation and Classification will be sent out in the
spring of 2025 and any changes to the market will be reflected on that notice.
Homestead Questions
Why is my property non-homestead / Why is my property changing from homestead to non -
homestead?
If there has been a change in the ownership or occupancy of your property, this could be why the status
changed. Even something as simple as a name change can affect your homestead status. Please note, anytime
there is a change in ownership and occupancy, a new application is required. You can apply for homestead at:
www.hennepin.us/homestead
I just purchased my home, and it isn’t showing homestead on my notice or the public website?
why?
Our systems can take up a couple of weeks to update, but just to confirm, have you reapplied for homestead at
this new web address? Anytime there is a change in ownership and occupancy, a new application is required. If
needed, you can apply for homestead at: www.hennepin.us/homestead
Why is my Homestead exclusion going down? Why do I no longer have a homestead credit on
my taxes?
For a homestead residence valued at $95,000 or less, the exclusion is 40 percent of market value, yielding a
maximum exclusion of $38,000, at $95,000 of market value. For a homestead valued between $95,000 and
$517,200, the exclusion is $38,000 minus 9 percent of the value over $95,000. The exclusion is therefore phased
out for properties valued at $517,200 or more. Typically, the homestead exclusion will save you no more than a
few hundred dollars on your annual property taxes.
The homestead credit that was applied to your taxes was replaced by this homestead market value exclusion and
is now applied prior to taxes being calculated.
Classification Questions
Why is my classification Residential Lakeshore when I don’t live on a lake?
The classification of a property is based on the use of the property. It is possible for a property that has deeded
access to a lake to be classified as residential lakeshore because the property has the ability to use the lake/dock.
The tax rate for a residential classification and a residential lakeshore classification is the same at 1% up to
$500,000 and 1.25% over any value over $500,000.
My neighbors have an AG property classification, why don’t I when I have 2 acres of field? What
can I do to get AG class? If I can get AG class how much will my taxes go down?
Per MN Statute 273.13 subd. 23, In order for a property with a house on it to get the agricultural classification, the
property must have at least 10 acres in production on the property. The statute also defines what qualifies as ag
production. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/273.13 The tax rate for agricultural classification will be
determined by if it is homestead or not. If it is homestead, the rate is 0.5% and non-homestead is 1%.
Why is my property classified as seasonal? What does that mean?
The seasonal class is for properties that are not the primary residence of the owner and is not rented to anyone
else. This property is typically a ‘cabin’. This class cannot change back to residential unless the original owner
files for homestead or it sells. This cannot be homesteaded by a relative of the original owner.
Miscellaneous Questions
Why did my mortgage payment go up?
It would be our recommendation that the property owner call their mortgage company to find out the specifics,
but it could be that their escrow amount has changed. This change could be because of the taxes or their insurance.
No specific questions, homeowner just wants to vent about taxes and value.
Be polite and let them talk. Answer questions as needed and do your best to address their concerns.
The value of my property increased 10% even though interest rates are higher than they have
been in years. Inflation is high, prices are high – when is this going to stop and start to go down
again?
Assessors value properties using a mass appraisal process to review sales of similar properties in the area over a
set time period. This “estimated market value” represents what your property would sell for in an “arms -length”
sale on the open market.
To estimate a property’s 2024 market value, the assessor reviews property sales from October 1, 2022, to
September 30, 2023. They adjust the prices for market trends to estimate the market value of your property on
the next assessment date, January 2, 2024.
If outside factors such as interest rates start to affect the sale prices, we will follow those sales once we see the
market show the affect.
My business is terrible this year, why is my value so high?
Any current adverse impacts to business operations are not directly relevant to the valuation of the real property
in the same year. Market sales and data from the previous period are considered when setting the current value.
Contact
Assessor’s Office
Office: 612-348-3046
Assessor.AO@hennepin.us
Website
https://www.hennepin.us/residents/property/property-taxes
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2024-069
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2025 TAX LEVY, 2025 HRA LEVY AND ADOPTING
THE 2025 GENERAL AND SPECIALREVENUE FUND BUDGETS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Hopkins hereby
approves the following sums be levied for 2024 upon the taxable property in the City of
Hopkins, for the following purposes:
General Levy
General $16,899,575
Special Levies
Debt Levies
2014A GO Street Reconstruction Bonds (3011A) 68,000
2014A GO Improvement Bonds (3011B) 29,000
2015B GO Tax Abatement (3013) 105,000
2015A GO Street Reconstruction Bonds (3014) 240,000
2016A GO Improvement Bonds (3017) 85,000
2016B GO Tax Abatement Bonds (3018) 10,000
2016C GO Bonds (3020B) 125,000
2017A GO Street Reconstruction Bonds (3021) 990,000
2017B GO Tax Abatement Bonds (3022A) 158,020
2018A GO Street Reconstruction Bonds (3024A) 80,000
2018A GO Improvement Bonds (3024B) 295,000
2018A GO Equipment Certificates (3024C) 52,794
2019A GO Street Reconstruction Bonds (3025A) 92,000
2019A GO Improvement Bonds (3025B) 252,889
2019A GO Capital Improvement Bonds (3025D) 40,000
2019B GO Refunding Bonds (3026B) 165,000
2020A GO Improvement Bonds (3027B) 141,000
2020A GO Street Reconstruction Bonds (3027D) 15,934
2020B GO Refunding Bonds (3029) 238,627
2021A GO Improvement Bonds (3030A) 197,113
2021A GO Street Reconstruction Bonds (3030C) 16,925
2022A GO Equipment Certificates (3031A) 123,742
2022A GO Improvement Bonds (3031B) 197,486
2023A GO Temporary Improvement Bonds (3032) 30,000
Subtotal Special Levies $3,748,530
TOTAL LEVY $20,648,105
HRA LEVY
Housing & Redevelopment Authority Levy $511,646
This levy is made based on current law and the 2025 General Fund Budget of
$19,920,490
That based upon staff analysis of special 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 2025 for the following issues be levied at amounts
less than provided by the bond covenants.
Bond Issue
2014A GO Street Reconstruction Bonds (3011A) 68,000
2014A GO Improvement Bonds (3011B) 29,000
2015B GO Tax Abatement (3013) 105,000
2015A GO Street Reconstruction Bonds (3014) 240,000
2016A GO Improvement Bonds (3017) 85,000
2016B GO Tax Abatement Bonds (3018) 10,000
2016C GO Bonds (3020B) 125,000
2018B GO Tax Abatement (3023) -
2018A GO Street Reconstruction Bonds (3024A) 80,000
2018A GO Improvement Bonds (3024B) 295,000
2018A GO Equipment Certificates (3024C) 52,794
2019A GO Street Reconstruction Bonds (3025A) 92,000
2019A GO Improvement Bonds (3025B) 252,889
2019A GO Capital Improvement Bonds (3025D) 40,000
2020A GO Equipment Certificates (3027A) -
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the following amounts are budgeted for the Special
Revenue Funds:
State Chemical Assessment $65,000 Economic Development $555,646
MN Public Safety $453,901 Parking $161,185
Race & Equity Initiative $6,000 Communications $30,961
Depot $270,611 TIF 2.11 Super Valu $2,900,000
TIF 1.4 Marketplace and Main $44,768 TIF 1.5 The Moline $1,729,914
Arts Center $1,219,259 Sustainability $345,000
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 2nd day of December, 2024.
By:___________________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
Public Meeting for the 2025 Tax
Levy and Budget
December 2, 2024
Purpose of this Meeting
Discuss and Review the City’s Budget and how
it impacts your taxes
Discuss the City’s Tax Levy
Will NOT address individual property
valuations
Purpose of this Meeting
Agenda
Taxation Process
2025 City Budget & Tax Levy
2025 HRA/EDA Tax Levy
Taxation Process
Valuation notices sent each March for taxes
payable the following year
This is the time to appeal valuation
Set Preliminary Levy on September 3
Proposed Tax Notices mailed November 12
Public Meeting for Final Levy on December 2
Adopt Final Levy by December 28
Property Taxes in 2025
Total market value in Hopkins increased by
4.9% (Gross Growth)
Includes New Apartments valued at $75 million
Net Growth of 2.0%
Value of residential properties increased by
3.5%
Value of median value home increased by
2.6%
Homestead Market Value Exclusion
Expanded in 2025
Maximum exclusion of $38,000
Previously $30,400
Phases out for properties valued at $517,200
or more
Previously $413,800
2025 Preliminary Tax Statement
Total Tax Changes for Residential Property (without
improvements or classification changes)
21% -decrease
37% -increase by 0.1% -4.9%
30% -increase by 5.0% -9.9%
8% -increase by 10.0% -14.9%
4% -increase by 15% or more
2025 Budget & Tax Levy
City Council has had 8 separate budget related
meetings in 2024
Budget Information Session held August 12th
Three attendees
Advertised on Hopkins Highlights, Hopkins
Connections and on Facebook
2025 Budget & Tax Levy
Adopt Preliminary Levy on September 3rd
Preliminary Tax Levy of $20,783,555
$1,104,616 or 5.61% increase from 2024
(basis for TNT statements)
2025 Budget & Tax Levy
Public Hearing on December 2nd (tonight)
Proposing a final tax levy of $20,648,105
Increase of $969,166 or 4.92% from 2024
$135,450 of reductions since September 3rd
$105,450 based on staff review w/ no service impacts
$30,000 to reduce the amount of Climate Solution Grant
Expenditures (from $150,000 to $120,000)
2025 General Fund Budget
Revenues of $19,520,490 or 8.32% increase
Expenditures of $19,920,490 or 8.14%
increase
Revenue & Expenditures both include
$240,000 to move Communications into the
General Fund
Use of Fund Balance
Decrease Fund Balance by $400,000
City Policy is 42% or Five Months
Cashflow, Contingencies or Emergencies
Surpluses in 2020-2023
Projected to end 2025 with fund balance of $7.9
million or 42.9%
2025 Budget Additions
Previously Authorized –ARPA
Youth Social Worker Contract -$88,000
Planner Position -$40,000
Funded equally by General Fund, Economic Development
Fund and Sustainability Fund
Previously Authorized –2024 Budget
Maintenance Worker –Forestry/Parks (May 1st)
2025 Budget Additions
City Contribution to Fire Relief -$96,000
Primarily used for retirement benefits
Retention/Recruitment for Paid On-Call
Firefighters
Tax Levy Support for Parking Fund -$75,000
Drop in user fees
2025 Budget Additions
Tax Levy Support for Communications -
$40,000
Declining cable franchise fees
Moved into General Fund in 2025
2025 Tax Levy
Actual RECOMMENDED % Increase
Purpose FY2024 FY 2025 (Decrease)
General Operations
General Fund 14,426,326 15,321,075 6.20%
Capital Levy - 445,000 100.00%
Arts Center 345,000 380,000 10.14%
Pavilion Fund 440,000 448,500 1.93%
Equipment Replacement 360,000 180,000 -50.00%
Permanent Improvement - 50,000 100.00%
Parking - 75,000 100.00%
Total General Operations 15,571,326 16,899,575 8.53%
Debt Levy 4,107,613 3,748,530 -8.74%
Total Levy 19,678,939 20,648,105 4.92%
City Taxes on Median Value Home
based on Recommended
2024 Actual
Estimated Market Value as
of 1/2/23 = $369,300
City Taxes -$2,191
Increase of $3 or 0.14%
2025 Recommended –4.92% Inc.
Estimated Market Value as
of 1/2/24 = $378,800
City Taxes -$2,254
Increase of $63 or 2.88%
2025 Tax Levy
Median Value Home
($378,800)
City Taxes $2,254
Increase of $63 or
2.88%
City Service Percentage
Public Safety 38.2%
General Government 15.3%
Public Works 12.2%
Parks and Recreation 7.1%
Pavilion 2.2%
Arts Center 1.8%
Activity Center 1.8%
Capital Projects and Debt 21.4%
Total 100.0%
2025 HRA/EDA Levy
Main revenue source for the City’s Economic
Development Fund
Redevelopment efforts
Artstreet
Arts Center
Façade Improvement program
Marketing efforts
2025 HRA/EDA Levy
2025 additions
1/3 of planner position
One mural project
increased marketing
Levy recommended is $511,646, a $23,993 or
4.92% increase from 2024