This site provides information for taxpayers of Independent School District 2889, Lake Park-Audubon, regarding how the district’s proposed operating 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.


About the Referendum

The school board of Independent School District No. 2889 (Lake Park-Audubon Public Schools) will hold a mail ballot operating referendum on April 9, 2024, to increase its general education revenue by $610 per pupil.  The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years beginning with taxes payable in 2025, and increase each year by the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2026, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law.

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 2025, and the tax levies would remain in place for 10 years. 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.

NOTE: Agricultural property will pay taxes for the proposed referendum based only on the value of the house, garage and one acre. Seasonal recreational residential property (i.e., cabins) will pay no taxes for the proposed referendum.

Your 2025 taxes will be based on the 2024 Estimated Market Value (EMV), which will be provided on the “Notice of Valuation and Classification” mailed by your county in March 2024. Because Minnesota counties have not yet published values for taxes payable 2025, you can review the current value for taxes payable in 2024 using the “Notice of Valuation and Classification” that was mailed by your county in March 2023, your current tax statement, contact your county and ask for the 2023 EMV for taxes payable in 2024, or follow the instructions below to look up your 2023 EMV on your county’s website. Please note there may be a change assessed by the county that would be reflected on the next year’s valuation.

Becker County
Property Tax Information - 218-846-7300

Click on the link below and enter the search type (parcel ID, name, address, or plat). Select your parcel from the results screen and scroll to the Valuation and Taxation section.  Use the value listed as the “Total Estimated Value” in the calculator below.

Becker County Property Search

Clay County
Property Tax Information - 218-299-5017

Click on the link below and enter the search type (parcel ID or address). Select you parcel from the results screen and under the Additional Information section, select “Assessment Information.”  Use the value listed as the “Total Value” near the top right in the calculator below.

Clay County Property Search

 

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

Click on the link below and enter  your search criteria. On the search results screen, click on your parcel in the left-hand column and then click on the parcel information image showing values to open it in a new tab and view larger. Use the “Total Value” listed for the 2024 year in the calculator below.

Otter Tail County Property Search


ONLINE CALCULATORS: ESTIMATING TAX IMPACT

Residential Homesteads, Apartments & Commercial/Industrial Property

If you own a residential homestead, apartments or commercial/industrial property, enter the Estimated Market Value to see the potential tax impact.

Enter only whole numbers to the nearest dollar
(no dollar signs, commas, or decimals).

There are certain Minnesota Tax Credits and Deferrals that may affect certain property owners' situations. They include:

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Minnesota Homestead Credit Refund

If your household income is less than approximately $135,410, 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 $135,410
  • Refund is on a sliding scale, based on your income and your total property tax burden
  • The maximum refund is $3,310
  • Also available to renters
  • To determine eligibility and refund amounts, complete Minnesota tax form M1PR
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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.

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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

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.