This site provides information for taxpayers of Independent School District 885, St. Michael-Albertville Schools, regarding how the District’s proposed operating and school building bond referendum may affect property taxes. The site was prepared in cooperation with Ehlers, the District’s independent municipal advisor. If you have questions about the information on this site, please contact Ehlers using the information provided below.
About the Referendum
The School Board of Independent School District No. 885 (St. Michael-Albertville Schools) will hold an operating and school building bond referendum on November 4, 2025, asking voters to approve two questions.
Question 1 proposes to increase its referendum revenue authorization by the following amounts for the taxes payable in the years specified below:
- $275 per pupil for taxes payable 2026 through 2027; and
- $835 per pupil for taxes payable 2028 through 2035
Question 2 would authorize the District to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $21,000,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including:
- Enhancing safety and security systems at school buildings;
- Updating learning technology and related infrastructure;
- Completing maintenance and facility improvements;
- Constructing and equipping a K-12 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) addition;
- Upgrades to media centers
Question 2 is contingent on the passage of Question 1, meaning it can only pass if Question 1 is approved.
For more information on how these funds would be used, return to the District’s website.
Impact on Property Taxes
Approval of the ballot questions would result in a property tax increase beginning with taxes payable in 2026. The operating referendum would remain in place for 10 years. The bond referendum would remain in place for 20 years. To determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot questions on your 2026 taxes, follow the instructions below or view sample property types and values here.
Your 2026 taxes will be based on the 2025 Estimated Market Value (EMV), which was provided on the “Notice of Valuation and Classification” mailed by your county in March 2025.
Click on the link below, select “Agree” on the terms and conditions (may need to allow pop-ups to see this screen), enter in your search criteria and click “Search”. Select your parcel from the results screen and use the value listed as “Total Estimated Market Value” for “2025 Assessment” in the calculator below.
Online Calculators: Estimating Tax Impact
Residential Homestead Property
If you own a RESIDENTIAL HOMESTEAD property, enter the Estimated Market Value below to see the estimated tax impact
Commercial / Industrial Property
If you own COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL property, enter the Estimated Market Value below to see the estimated tax impact.
There are certain Minnesota Tax Credits and Deferrals that may affect certain property owners' situations. They include:
Minnesota Homestead Credit Refund
If your household income is less than approximately $139,320, you may qualify for the Homestead Credit Refund (also known as the “Circuit Breaker” refund). This program, which has existed since the 1970s, is intended to reduce tax burdens for homeowners with relatively low incomes and relatively high property tax burdens. Some important facts about this program are summarized below.
- Available each year to owners of homestead property
- Applies only to the taxes attributable to the house, garage, and one acre on agricultural homestead property
- Available to all owners of residential homestead and agricultural homestead property with household incomes of less than $139,320
- Refund is on a sliding scale, based on your income and your total property tax burden
- The maximum refund is $3,310
- To determine eligibility and refund amounts, complete Minnesota tax form M1PR
Special Property Tax Refund
If your total property taxes increase by more than 12 percent and more than $100 from one year to the next, you may qualify for a state refund equal to a portion of the increase. There is no income limit for this refund and the maximum refund is $1,000.
To determine eligibility and refund amounts, complete Minnesota tax form M1PR.
Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral
If you are 65 years or older and have a household income of $96,000 or less, you may be eligible to defer a portion of the property taxes on your home, through the Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program. The program:
- Limits the maximum amount of property tax you pay to 3 percent of your total household income
- Provides predictability; the amount of tax you pay will not change for as long as you participate in this program
Income Taxes
If you itemize deductions for federal income taxes, you may deduct a portion of your property taxes paid.
Starting with your 2024 taxes, renters can claim the Renter’s refundable credit on a Minnesota income tax return. Renters will no longer file a Renter’s Property Tax Refund.