By Katie Friedman
Correspondent
Prior to setting their property tax levies and budgets for the coming year, local governments are required to conduct a Truth in Taxation public hearing that offers citizens an opportunity to ask questions about their city’s proposed budgets. The City of Maple Lake conducted that hearing Tuesday, December 6, as prepared and presented by City Administrator Renee Eckerly.
The total city property tax levy in 2023 will be $1,558,885, reflecting an increase of $22,991, or five percent. This compares to a levy increase of four percent for 2022.
Where the city saw a major increase, Eckerly said, was in its bond levies. The 2021 Street Project has a $202,000 payment this year, and while some of the city’s other bond payments are getting lower, the city’s bond levies have increased by 20 percent in 2022. No other areas of the budget were increased.
Property taxes
Our property tax system begins with the county assessor, who sets proposed property values as of January 1 for the following year’s taxes. Values are based on comparable sales. These values are sent to the county auditor, who then sends property-specific notices to property owners, notifying them of any value change. Included in the notice is information about the Board of Review, which is conducted in April by the county, at which residents can individually question or challenge their proposed values. Once those values have been adopted, they can be changed only through tax court. Values are then finalized and set for calculating taxes. The city and other jurisdictions adopt their levies and budgets in December. Tax rates are calculated by the county, based on the levies adopted by each jurisdiction.