This site provides information for taxpayers of the West St. Paul – Mendota Heights – Eagan 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.
About the Referendum
The district will hold an operating referendum special election on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, seeking voter approval of one ballot question.
QUESTION 1 proposes to renew the school district’s existing referendum revenue authorization of $224.48 per pupil which is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2021. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would increase each year by the rate of inflation, beginning with taxes payable in 2022, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law.
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 question 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.
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.
Dakota County
Assessor's Office - (651) 438-4200
Click on the link below, select “Ok” on the pop-up and then enter in your search criteria. Your parcel’s info will pop up on the right-hand side of your screen. Scroll down to the “Tax Information” section and use the number listed as, “Total Estimated Value” for the most current year in the calculator below.
ONLINE CALCULATORS: ESTIMATING TAX IMPACT
Residential Homesteads, Apartments, OR 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.
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