This site provides information for taxpayers of Lake Park Audubon 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 a special election on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, seeking voter approval of two ballot questions.
QUESTION 1 would authorize the district to issue an amount not to exceed $21,630,000 in bonds to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of classroom additions at the Audubon Elementary School, the renovation and remodeling of special education spaces, the construction and equipping of flexible learning spaces and small group spaces, remodeling and updating of the office suite, cafeteria, bathrooms, locker rooms, kitchen, gymnasium, and playground at that school, roof repair and replacement, the acquisition, construction and installation of HVAC improvements, safety and security upgrades, and the construction of site, side walk, parking lot, and traffic flow improvements at the elementary school site.
QUESTION 2 would authorize the district to issue an amount not to exceed $1,330,000 in bonds to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of a career and technical education addition at the Lake Park Secondary School, the creation of collaboration learning areas, and renovation and remodeling of the media center at that school.
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 20 years. To determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot questions 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.
Becker County
Assessor's Office - (218) 846-7300
Click on the link below and enter in your search criteria. Select your parcel from the search results screen. In the “Valuation & Taxation” section, use the value listed as, “Total Estimated Value” for the most recent year in the calculator below.
Otter Tail County
Assessor's Office - (218) 998-8010
Click on the link below and enter in your search criteria. On the search results screen, click on your parcel. Click on the “Parcel Information” image or link. Use the value listed as “Total Value” for the most recent year in the calculator below.
Clay County
Assessor's Office - (218) 299-5017
Click on the link below and enter in your search criteria. On the search results screen, click on your parcel (if more than one show up) and then scroll down to click on, “Tax Information.” From that screen, scroll to the “Property Value Information” section and click to view the most recent year’s Tax Statement. Use the value listed as, “Estimated Market Value” for the most recent 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.
Seasonal / Recreational Property
If you own seasonal or recreational property, enter the Estimated Market Value to see the potential 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 additional property IDs by clicking the "+" button at the end of each row.
If you have any questions, please call Ehlers at 1-800-552-1171 and ask to speak with a member of our Education Team.
School Building Bond Agricultural Credit
This property tax credit originally took effect with property taxes payable in 2018. For taxes payable in 2022, the credit reduces taxes for owners of agricultural property in an amount equivalent to 60% of the taxes attributable to school district debt service for all agricultural property, except for the house, garage, and one acre. This credit is directly deducted from property taxes owed and applies to debt service levies for all types of existing and future bonds for construction and renovation projects. For taxes payable in 2018 and 2019, the credit was equivalent to 40%. Current law provides for a phased-in increase to the credit: 50% for taxes payable in 2020, 55% for taxes payable in 2021, 60% for taxes payable in 2022 and for taxes payable 2023 and later the credit will be 70%. The credit is paid through an open and standing appropriation, which means that no action by the Legislature is required each year for this credit to be paid from the state general fund. The credit is automatically deducted on the tax statement and is included in the tax impact estimates provided by Ehlers.
There are certain Minnesota Tax Refunds 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 $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
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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.
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 $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