This site provides information for taxpayers of Independent School District 13, Columbia Heights Public Schools regarding how the District’s proposed operating 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. 13, Columbia Heights Public Schools, will hold an operating referendum on November 3, 2026, asking voters to approve one question.
Question 1 proposes to increase the School District’s general education revenue by $550 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years beginning with taxes payable in 2027, and increase each year by the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2028, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law.
For more information on how these funds would be used, return to the District’s website.
Impact on Property Taxes
Approval of the ballot question would result in a property tax increase beginning with taxes payable in 2027. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years beginning with taxes payable in 2027, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. To determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot question on your 2027 taxes, follow the instructions below or view sample property types and values here.
NOTE: The new operating referendum revenue would start with fiscal year 2027-28 and is based on estimated adjusted pupil units (APU) of 3,669.8.
Your 2027 taxes will be based on the 2026 Estimated Market Value (EMV), which was provided on the “Notice of Valuation and Classification” mailed by your county in March 2026.
Click the link below and select “Agree” when the disclaimer appears. (If the disclaimer does not appear, make sure pop-ups are enabled in your browser.) Search for your property using either your parcel ID or property address, then select the correct parcel from the search results. In the Reports section on the right side of the screen, choose “Valuation Notice” and click “Go.” Your payable 2027 Valuation Notice will open in a new window. Locate the gray “Step 1” box and use the value shown as the Estimated Market Value when entering information into the calculator below.
Online Calculators: Estimating Tax Impact
Residential Homesteads, Apartments and Commercial-Industrial Property
If you own RESIDENTIAL HOMESTEAD, APARTMENTS and/or COMMERCIAL-INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY, enter the Estimated Market Value to see the potential 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 $142,490, 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 $142,490
- Refund is on a sliding scale, based on your income and your total property tax burden
- The maximum refund is $3,480
- To determine eligibility and refund amounts, complete Minnesota tax form M1PR
For more information and instructions on obtaining a property tax refund, please visit https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/property-tax-refund.
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.
For more information and instructions on obtaining a property tax refund, please visit https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/property-tax-refund.
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
For more information and instructions on obtaining a property tax refund, please visit https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/property-tax-refund.
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.