This site provides information for taxpayers of Special School District 6, South St. Paul 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 Special School District No. 6, South St. Paul Public Schools, will hold a school building bond referendum on May 12, 2026, 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 $50,000,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and installation of HVAC and electrical infrastructure improvements at school sites and facilities; remodeling and renovations to locker rooms and restrooms; learning space renovations at school sites and facilities; and the maintenance of activity facilities, including Ettinger Field and the Roosevelt Tennis Courts.
Question 2 proposes to renew the school district’s existing capital project levy authorization of 3.74709208482% times the net tax capacity of the school district, which is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2029. The money raised from the capital project levy authorization will provide funds for the acquisition, installation, replacement, support and maintenance of classroom technology, software, computers, student devices, improved technology systems, networks, infrastructure, instructional technology, safety and security systems, and related training and personnel costs; deferred maintenance projects and the acquisition of curriculum, textbooks and materials. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $1,139,395 for taxes payable in 2030, 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 $11,393,950. 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 referendum website.
Impact on Property Taxes
Approval of ballot QUESTION 1 (Bond Referendum) would result in a property tax change beginning with taxes payable in 2027 and the tax levies would remain in place for 20 years.
Approval of ballot QUESTION 2 (Capital Project Levy Renewal) would result in a property tax change beginning with taxes payable in 2030 and the tax levies would remain in place for 10 years.
To determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot question(s) 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.
Click on the link below, review and accept the disclaimer (may need to allow pops ups to see this screen). Enter your search criteria, click “Continue”. Click on the “Valuation Notice” on the right side of the page and use the “Estimated Market Value” under Step 1 for pay 2027 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
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.