13-year low for Minnehaha County levy won't keep property tax bills from rising
13-year low for Minnehaha County levy won't keep property tax bills from rising
Commissioners cut rate in 2025 budget while valuations increase by 9.3 percent
Employees of Minnehaha County will get a 3 percent raise next year while property tax levies will be at their lowest point in more than a dozen years.
However, another round of hikes to property valuations means homeowners are still likely to see a higher tax bill next year.
The Minnehaha County Commission unanimously approved the fiscal year 2025 budget during a meeting Tuesday, setting a $130.7 million budget for the next fiscal year.
The budget includes $90 million in General Funds, $19.8 million for highway projects, and $3.4 million for building projects. It incorporates a 3 percent increase from the Consumer Price Index and a 3.35 percent increase from new construction growth.
“We are also property taxpayers, and we approach this budget process with prudence. The county levy is the lowest it has been in 12 years,” Commission Chair Dean Karsky said. “We are committed to providing our constituents with the public safety they expect, as well as maintaining roads, highways, and other vital services.”
Commissioners also set the county levy at 2.970, the lowest rate since 2012, marking a 2 percent decrease from this year’s budget.
That means property owners will pay about $290 for every $100,000 of valuation on their houses and buildings. While that’s down from $303 for every $100,000 of valuation paid in 2024, most property taxpayers will still see a higher tax bill due to county property values increasing by an average of 9.3 percent.
The 2025 budget includes no new opt-outs and provides funding for 12 new positions within county government — nine of which are public safety jobs.
Minnehaha County receives approximately 21 percent of total property tax revenues paid by property owners, with the remainder going to schools, municipalities, townships, and other special taxing districts, according to rates established by the respective governing bodies.
I understand the county has added people due to the additional residents; however, it would seem the additional residents and businesses would be added to the property tax base enough to pay for the additional costs associated with their residency and occupancy. The county and all governments need to figure out how to be more efficient, including cutting staff if necessary to get there.