This site provides information for taxpayers of Independent School District 877-Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose regarding how the district’s proposed 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 presented on this site, please contact Ehlers using the information provided below.
The district will hold a special election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, seeking voter approval of one ballot question.
QUESTION 1 would authorize the district to issue up to $41,500,000 in general obligation school building bonds to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction of secure entrances to the high school and middle school; the construction and installation of HVAC improvements at school sites and facilities; the acquisition of furniture, fixtures, technology and equipment; renovations and remodeling of classrooms at school sites and facilities; remodeling and enhancements to the auditorium; improvements and upgrades to playgrounds; and roof replacements at school sites and facilities.
For more information on how these funds would be used, view the District’s website.
Debt from existing bonds that financed a health & safety (indoor air quality) project at Parkview Elementary School will be paid off on February 1, 2024. The payment due on February 1, 2024 is being financed with property tax levies in calendar year 2023, along with payments on other outstanding bonds. The property tax levy for the payment on the new bonds would begin with taxes payable in 2024 (at a tax rate that would be level with taxes payable in 2023, along with the District’s existing debt). The tax levies would remain in place for 20 years, although there is another planned reduction in the tax rate after 9 years when other existing debt is paid off. To determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot question on your 2024 taxes, follow the instructions below or view sample property types and values here.
Your 2024 taxes will be based on the 2023 Estimated Market Value (EMV), which was provided on the Notice of Valuation and Classification mailed by your county in March 2023.
Click on the link below, enter in your search criteria and click, “Basic Search”. Select your parcel from the results screen and use the value listed as, “Grand Total Value” in the calculator below.
Click on the link below, scroll down to the Online Search section and select the criteria by which you would like to search to find your parcel. On the results page for your parcel, click to view “Current year values”. This page will show your 2023 Assessment (For Taxes Payable 2024) values. In the “Values” and “Estimated” columns, use the value listed as “Totals” in the calculator below. This is located directly under Land, Building and Machinery.
If you own a RESIDENTIAL HOMESTEAD property, enter the Estimated Market Value below to see the estimated tax impact.
If you own a RESIDENTIAL NON-HOMESTEAD MULTI UNIT AND APARTMENTS property, enter the Estimated Market Value below to see the estimated tax impact
If you own COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL property, enter the Estimated Market Value below to see the estimated tax impact.
If your household income is less than approximately $128,280, 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.
If your total property taxes increase by more than 6 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 $2,500.
To determine eligibility and refund amounts, complete Minnesota tax form M1PR.
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:
The 2023 Legislature modified the requirements of this program by increasing the household income limit to $96,000. This new income limit is in effect for taxes payable in 2024 and later years.