This site provides information for taxpayers of Independent School District 256, Red Wing Public Schools regarding how the District’s proposed bond 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.

 

 

 

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About the Referendum

The School Board of Independent School District No. 256, Red Wing Public Schools, will hold a referendum on November 3, 2026, asking voters to approve one question.

Question 1 proposes to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $12,860,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including renovations, remodeling, upgrades and improvements to the Sunnyside Elementary School, including the installation of a new fire alarm system, the creation of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten learning spaces, repurposing the existing cafeteria to create a multi-purpose large motor room, and remodeling the central building corridor to create an art room, cafeteria, Head Start room and special education learning spaces; the construction and installation of mechanical, HVAC and electrical infrastructure improvements; the acquisition and installation of replacement windows; the remodeling and upgrading of restrooms, including ADA accessibility improvements, at school sites and facilities; upgrades to casework, flooring and finishes; the acquisition and installation of furniture, fixtures and equipment; and the construction and installation of a new early childhood playground; acquisition, installation, replacement, support and maintenance of software, educational software, software licenses, computers, improved technology equipment, networks, infrastructure, the costs of technology related personnel and training; the acquisition of curriculum, textbooks and materials; deferred maintenance costs, utility services costs and other capital revenue purposes.

In addition, to provide funds for a portion of the project costs and other capital revenue purposes, the School Board is proposing a new capital project levy equal to 2.881% of the District’s net tax capacity. This will raise approximately $1,500,000 for taxes payable in 2027, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for ten (10) years.  The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded by the capital project levy authorization is approximately $15,000,000.

The projects to be funded 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 the ballot question would result in a property tax change beginning with taxes payable in 2027, and the bonded tax levies would remain in place for 20 years. The proposed capital project levy will raise approximately $1,500,000 for taxes payable in 2027, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for 10 years. To determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot questions on your 2027 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.

Goodhue County
Property Tax Information - (651) 385-3040

Click on the link below, review and agree to the disclaimer (may need to allow pops ups to see this screen). Enter your search criteria and select your parcel from the results screen. Click to view “Property Values” on the left-hand side of your screen and use the value listed as “EMV Total” for pay year 2027 in the calculator below.

Goodhue County Property Search

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.

Enter only whole numbers to the nearest dollar (no dollar signs, commas, or decimals).

Commercial / Industrial Property

If you own COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL property, enter the Estimated Market Value below to see the estimated tax impact.

Enter only whole numbers to the nearest dollar (no dollar signs, commas, or decimals).

Agricultural or Other Property

If you own agricultural or other types of property, please complete the following form and submit it to Ehlers. Once we receive it, an Ehlers representative will contact your county to find the value and classification of your property, calculate the tax impact and contact you via phone or email with the results. Please allow 1-3 days for completion.

PLEASE NOTE: you may enter multiple property IDs by clicking the “+” button at the end of each row.

School Building Bond Agricultural Credit

The property tax credit reduces taxes for owners of agricultural property in an amount equivalent to 70% of the taxes attributable to school district debt service for all agricultural property, except for the house, garage, and one acre. This credit is directly deducted from property taxes owed and applies to debt service levies for all types of existing and future bonds for construction and renovation projects. The credit is paid through an open and standing appropriation, which means that no action by the Legislature is required each year for this credit to be paid from the state general fund. The credit is automatically deducted on the tax statement and is included in the tax impact estimates provided by Ehlers.

Agricultural Property

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List*
Parcel Owner Name
Parcel ID/ Property ID
County
 

If you have any questions regarding your agricultural submission, please call Roxy with our School Finance Team at (651) 697-8584.

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.