This site provides information for taxpayers of Independent School District 2342, West Central Area Schools regarding how the District’s proposed bond 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. 2342, West Central Area 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 $33,805,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including the construction and equipping of an elementary school addition; renovations and upgrades to science rooms and career and technical education (CTE) spaces; deferred maintenance; remodeling and updates to special education classrooms; the construction of softball fields, a track, fitness center and playground improvements; and the completion of water retention, grading and utility improvements to the school site and facility.

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, and the tax levies would remain in place for 20 years beginning with taxes payable in 2027. 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.

Grant County
Property Tax Information - (218) 685-8232

Click the link below and review the disclaimer, then click “Accept.” (If the disclaimer does not appear, you may need to enable pop-ups in your browser.) Enter your search criteria, click “Continue,” and select your property from the search results. Once the property information page opens, locate the Value Information section and find the Total MKT value for Pay 2027. Use the left-most Total MKT value and enter it into the referendum tax impact calculator below.

Grant County Property Search

Douglas County
Property Tax Information - (320) 762-3884

Click the link below and review the disclaimer, then click “Accept.” (If the disclaimer does not appear, you may need to enable pop-ups in your browser.) Enter your search criteria, click “Continue,” and select your property from the search results. Once the property information page opens, locate the Value Information section and find the Total MKT value for Pay 2027. Use the left-most Total MKT value and enter it into the referendum tax impact calculator below.

Douglas County property Search 

Otter Tail County
Property Tax Information - (218) 998-8010

Click on the link below and enter your search criteria to locate your property. When the search results appear, select your parcel number. On the left‑hand menu, choose “Property Values.” Then use the EMV Total listed for Pay Year 2027 and enter that value into the calculator below.

Otter Tail County Property Search

Pope County
Property Tax Information - (320) 634-7715

Click the link below and review the disclaimer, then click “Accept.” (If the disclaimer does not appear, you may need to enable pop-ups in your browser.) Enter your search criteria, click “Continue,” and select your property from the search results. Once the property information page opens, locate the Value Information section and find the Total MKT value for Pay 2027. Use the left-most Total MKT value and enter it into the referendum tax impact calculator below.

Pope County Property Search

Stevens County
Property Tax Information - (320) 208-6550

Click the link below and review the disclaimer, then click “Accept.” (If the disclaimer does not appear, you may need to enable pop-ups in your browser.) Enter your search criteria, click “Continue,” and select your property from the search results. Once the property information page opens, locate the Value Information section and find the Total MKT value for Pay 2027. Use the left-most Total MKT value and enter it into the referendum tax impact calculator below.

Stevens 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

"*" indicates required fields

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.