This site provides information for taxpayers of Independent School District 270, Hopkins Public Schools, regarding how the District’s proposed school building bond referendum and capital project levy 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. 270, Hopkins Public Schools, will hold a school building bond referendum on November 4, 2025, asking voters to approve two questions.
Question 1 would authorize the District to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $140,000,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction, acquisition and installation of safety and security improvements; the completion of various infrastructure projects at school district sites and facilities, including renovations for Career and Technical Education, ADA updates, single-use restrooms, parking lot reconstruction, playgrounds, outdoor learning areas, indoor and outdoor athletic enhancements, and modernization of learning spaces, including special education environments.
Question 2 proposes to renew the school district’s existing capital project levy authorization of 8.7054% times the net tax capacity of the school district, which is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2027. The money raised from the capital project levy authorization will provide funds for the acquisition, installation and maintenance of software, curriculum, instructional equipment and improved technology and technology systems in various school district facilities, musical instruments, and the purchase of school-related transportation vehicles. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $15,667,898 for taxes payable in 2028, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for ten years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $156,678,980. The projects have received a positive Review and Comment from the Commissioner of Education.
For more information on how these funds would be used, return to the District’s website.
Impact on Property Taxes
Approval of ballot QUESTION 1 (Bond Referendum) would result in a property tax change beginning with taxes payable in 2026 and the tax levies would remain in place for 22 years.
Approval of ballot QUESTION 2 (Capital Project Levy Renewal) would result in a property tax change beginning with taxes payable in 2028 and the tax levies would remain in place for 10 years.
To determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot question(s) 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, scroll down to the “Online Search” section and select the criteria by which you would like to search to find your parcel. On the results page for your parcel, click to view “Current year values”. This page will show your 2025 Assessment (For Taxes Payable 2026) values. In the “Values” and “Estimated” columns, use the value listed as “Totals” in the calculator below. This is located directly under Land, Building and Machinery.
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.
Apartments & Residential Non-Homestead
If you own APARTMENTS AND/OR RESIDENTIAL NON-HOMESTEAD 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
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.