This site provides information for taxpayers of Independent School District 719, Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools regarding how the District’s proposed operating and capital project levy 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. 719, Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, will hold a referendum on November 3, 2026, asking voters to approve two questions.
Question 1 proposes to revoke the school district’s existing referendum revenue authorization of $623.97 per pupil and to replace that authorization with a new authorization of $1,740.97 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years commencing 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.
Question 2 proposes a capital project levy authorization of 3.427% times the net tax capacity of the school district. The additional revenue from the proposed authorization will be used to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities; safety and security improvements; deferred maintenance and utility service costs; the acquisition and maintenance of software, technology, and technology systems, and to pay the costs of technology-related personnel and training; the purchase and replacement of school-related transportation vehicles; the acquisition of curriculum, textbooks, and materials; and other operating capital revenue purposes. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $3,800,000 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 $38,000,000. The projects to be funded have received a positive Review and Comment from the Commissioner of Education.
Question 2 is contingent on the passage of Question 1, meaning it can only pass if Question 1 passes.
For more information on how these funds would be used, return to the District’s referendum website.
Impact on Property Taxes
Approval of the ballot questions would result in a property tax increase beginning with taxes payable in 2027 for the operating referendum and with taxes payable in 2028 for the capital project levy. The proposed referendum revenue authorization for both questions would be applicable for 10 years. To determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot questions on your taxes, follow the instructions below or view sample property types and values here.
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.
Your 2028 taxes will be based on the 2027 Estimated Market Value (EMV), which is not yet available, but will be provided on the “Notice of Valuation and Classification” mailed by your county in March 2027.
Click the link below and review the disclaimer, then click “Agree.” (If the disclaimer does not appear, you may need to enable pop-ups in your browser.) Enter your search criteria, click “Search,” and select your property from the results list. Scroll down to the Property Values section and locate the EMV Total for Pay Year 2027. Enter this value into the referendum tax impact 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.
Apartments and Residential Non-Homestead (2 or more units)
If you own a APARTMENTS AND/OR RESIDENTIAL NON-HOMESTEAD (2 OR MORE UNITS) 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 $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.