This site provides information for taxpayers of Wayzata Public Schools regarding how the district's proposed referendum will affect their property taxes. The site was prepared by the school district's financial advisors, Ehlers, in cooperation with the school district. If you have questions about the information on this site, you may call Ehlers at the numbers listed below.

To skip to the online tax calculator, click here.

About the Referendum

The district will be holding a special election on November 7, 2017, seeking voter approval of three questions.

Question 1 would revoke the district’s existing referendum revenue authorization of $1,524.95 per pupil and replace it with a new authority of up to $2,000 per pupil. The proposed authority would be applicable for 10 years, beginning with taxes payable in 2018, and would increase each year by the rate of inflation. If approved, this would increase the district’s general fund revenue by approximately $5.5 million for fiscal year 2018-19, and would provide funding to maintain class sizes, provide students with needed support services, manage growing enrollment and stabilize the district budget.

Question 2 would authorize the district to issue up to $70,000,000 in school building bonds to address the district’s growth and facilities needs for:

• Capacity: Build a new elementary school and enlarge the school cafeteria and food service areas at Central Middle School, the largest of the three middle schools.
• Safety: Improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety at district elementary schools and Central Middle School.
• Academics: Renovate elementary and middle school media centers to create more flexible learning spaces and provide technology infrastructure; improve performing arts space at East and West Middle Schools.

Question 3 would renew a portion of the district’s technology levy that is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2019. The new levy would have the same tax rate as the expiring levy, and would be in place for ten years, beginning with taxes payable in 2020. It would provide funds to help maintain technology for students and staff to provide a personalized education and access to real-time educational resources.

For additional information on how the funds would be used, click on the "Return to School District Website" button above.

Impact on Property Taxes

Approval of Question 1 would cause an increase in taxes for ten years, beginning in 2018. Approval of Question 2 would cause an increase in taxes for 20 years, beginning in 2018. Approval of Question 3 would not cause an increase in taxes, as it would replace an existing levy that is expiring.

The district will make reductions in other tax levies (primarily the long-term facilities maintenance levy) if all three proposed referendum questions are approved. These decreases will partially offset the increases from the proposed referendum questions.

To determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot questions on your 2018 taxes, and the impact of the reductions in taxes for other levies, either view the tax impact for sample property types and values here or follow the instructions below.

The 2017 Payable 2018 Estimated Market Value (EMV) is listed on the "Valuation Notice" mailed by your county in March 2017 (see example below). If you don't have that document available, find the information online using the instructions below or contact your county and ask for the 2017 EMV for taxes payable in 2018.

If you own a RESIDENTIAL HOMESTEAD property, enter the Estimated Market Value below to see the estimated tax impact.

Estimated Market Value:

Calculate

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

Estimated Market Value:

Calculate

If you own other types of property, either view the tax impact for sample property types and values here or contact Ehlers.

• Find the Property I.D. number(s) for all parcels of property that you own within the district (normally shown in the upper left corner of your property tax statement).
• Email or call Ehlers:
  • Send an e-mail message to mnschools@ehlers-inc.com. with your name, school district name, and property I.D. number(s).
  • Call Ehlers (Twin Cities area 651-697-8542 or toll-free 1-800-552-1171) during regular business hours and ask to speak to a member of the Education Team. Tell the Ehlers representative that you are calling about the tax impact of the Wayzata School District referendum and provide the Property I.D. number(s).
  • An Ehlers representative will contact your county to find the value and classification of your property, calculate the tax impact, and either call or e-mail you with the results. Please allow 1-3 days for a response.

Property Tax Refunds, Deductibility, and Deferrals

Click the links below for information regarding how state and federal programs may reduce the net impact of the proposed property tax increases for some taxpayers.

1. Minnesota Property Tax Refund.

   If your household income is less than approximately $108,660, 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.

   • 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 incomes of less than $108,660
   • Refund is on a sliding scale, based on your income and your total property tax burden
   • The maximum refund is $2,660
   • To determine eligibility and refund amounts, complete Minnesota tax form M1PR (available online at www.taxes.state.mn.us).

   If you qualify for this program, you may receive an additional refund of up to 80% of the amount of the property tax increase caused by the proposed referendum. For example, if the referendum increases your property taxes by $100 per year, your refund may cover up to $80 of this increase.

2. 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. To determine eligibility and refund amounts complete Minnesota tax form M1PR (available online at www.revenue.state.mn.us).

3. Deductibility of Property Taxes for State and Federal Income Taxes

   If you itemize deductions for federal income taxes, you may deduct all property taxes paid. Therefore, any increase in property taxes resulting from the proposed referendum will reduce your income tax liability. The reduction in income taxes may be as much as 42 percent of the increase in property taxes, depending on your total income and other credits and deductions.

4. Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral

   If you are 65 years or older and have a household income of $60,000 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. Some basic facts about this program are summarized below.

   • It limits the maximum amount of property tax you pay to 3 percent of your total household income, and
   • It provides predictability; the amount of tax you pay will not change for as long as you participate in this program.

   For more information go to: http://www.revenue.state.mn.us/propertytax/ . Under the General Information heading, click on Fact Sheets and then click on Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral.

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