This site provides information for taxpayers of the Cambridge – Isanti School District, 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 on this site, please contact Ehlers using the information provided below.
Scroll down on this page to type in your property value and see the tax impact for the referendum proposals.
About the Referendum
On November 2, 2021 Cambridge-Isanti voters approved two operating referendum questions for additional school funding with 63% support on Q1 and 62% support on Q2. Tax impact estimates prepared prior to the election have been updated to include the estimated increase for the voter approved operating referendum and other levy adjustments. View the updated tax estimates here.
QUESTION 1 proposes to increase the school district’s general education revenue by $565 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years, beginning with taxes payable in 2022, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. The revenue is planned to be used to hire and retain high-quality teachers and support students, which will help to reduce class size, maintain and improve student opportunities, and provide student supports.
NOTE: If the proposed referendum is approved by voters, the School Board is committed to make reductions in other tax levies, which will reduce the tax impact from the proposed referendum.
QUESTION 2 proposes to increase the school district’s general education revenue by $121 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years, commencing with taxes payable in 2022, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. The revenue is planned to used to support vocational technical education and college readiness by maintaining and expanding vocational technical and career classes; increasing opportunities for students to earn college credits; adding apprenticeships; providing training and mentoring that prepare graduates for success in careers and college; and supporting the district’s K-12 student achievement goals.
QUESTION 2 is contingent on the passing of QUESTION 1, meaning it can only pass if QUESTION 1 passes.
For more information on how these funds would be used, return to the District’s referendum website.
Impact on Property Taxes
Approval of the ballot questions would result in a property tax change beginning with taxes payable in 2022, and the tax levies would remain in place for 10 years. To determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot question on your 2022 taxes, follow the instructions below or view a sample property value here.
NOTE: Agricultural property will pay taxes for the proposed referendum based only on the value of the house, garage and one acre. If the proposed referendum is approved by voters, Agricultural Land will see a decrease in taxes with the School Board’s commitment to make reduction in other tax levies. Seasonal recreational residential property (i.e., cabins) will pay no taxes for the proposed referendum.
Your 2022 taxes will be based on the 2021 Estimated Market Value (EMV), which was provided on the “Notice of Valuation and Classification” mailed by your county in March 2021. You can review the current value for taxes payable in 2022 using your current tax statement, contact your county and ask for the 2021 EMV for taxes payable in 2022, or follow the instructions below to look up your 2021 EMV on your county’s website.
Isanti County
Assessor's Office - (763) 689-2752
Click on the link below, select and enter your search criteria. From the results screen, click on your parcel. Select to view your most recent tax statement from the green labeled box titled, “Tax Statements & Links.” Use the value listed as, “Estimated Market Value” for the most current year in the calculator below.
Chisago County
Assessor's Office - (651) 213-8550
Click on the link below and enter your search criteria. From the results screen, click on your parcel. Use the value listed as, “Proposed Est. Market Value – Total” under the current assessment year 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.
Agricultural 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 up to 10 property IDs by clicking the “+” button at the end of each row. For more than 10 properties, please contact Ehlers.
If you have any questions, please call Ehlers at 1-800-552-1171 and ask to speak with a member of our Education Team.
There are certain Minnesota Tax Refunds and Deferrals that may affect certain property owners’ situations. They include:
Minnesota Homestead Credit Refund
If your household income is less than approximately $116,180, 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 $116,180
- Refund is on a sliding scale, based on your income and your total property tax burden
- The maximum refund is $2,840
- Also available to renters
- 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.
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 $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. 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