This site provides information for taxpayers of Independent School District 740 – Melrose Area, 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, February 14, 2023 seeking voter approval of one ballot question.
QUESTION 1 would authorize the district to issue up to $34,805,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including the construction and equipping of a new Career and Technical Education auto shop addition; the renovation of existing Career and Technical Education classrooms and labs; the construction and equipping of a new swimming pool facility; conversion of the existing pool facility into a multi-purpose activity space and storage; replacement of the High School gymnasium floor; remodeling and updates to locker rooms and related spaces; HVAC improvements; the replacement of tennis courts; ADA-accessibility improvements to locker rooms and other spaces; and site, grading, and utility improvements.
For more information on how these funds would be used, view the District’s referendum website.
Impact on Property Taxes
Approval of the ballot question would result in a property tax increase beginning with taxes payable in 2024, and the debt service tax levies would remain in place for 20 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.
Your 2024 taxes will be based on the 2023 Estimated Market Value (EMV), which will be provided on the “Notice of Valuation and Classification” mailed by your county in March 2023. Because the county has not yet published your value for taxes payable 2024, you can review the current value for taxes payable in 2023 using the “Notice of Valuation and Classification” that was mailed by your county in March 2022, your current tax statement, contact your county and ask for the 2022 EMV for taxes payable in 2023, or follow the instructions below to look up your 2022 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.
Stearns County
Property Tax Information - (320) 656-3680
Click on the link below and select the criteria by which you would like to search to find your parcel. Select your parcel from the results screen. Scroll down to the “Other Property Info” section on the right side of the screen and select, “Tax Statement”. Choose the most current year statement available and use the value listed in the top right as “Estimated Market Value” for that pay year in the calculator below.
Todd County
Property Tax Information - (320) 732-4431
Click on the link below, select, “I ACCEPT” and then click, “Proceed.” Enter your search criteria and select your parcel from the results screen. Make sure to select the, “2022 Value for Tax payable 2023” parcel option. Click the gray button labeled, “Current Year Value Notice.” Use the value listed in the, “Step 1” box in the top right labeled, “Estimated Market Value” in the calculator below.
Morrison County
Property Tax Information - (320) 632-0153
Click on the link below, click, “Agree” in the pop-up box if it shows up and enter your search criteria. Select your parcel from the results screen. Scroll down to the “Valuation” section and use the number listed as, “EMV (Estimated Market Value) Total” for Payable 2023 Values 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 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.
School Building Bond Agricultural Credit
This property tax credit originally took effect with property taxes payable in 2018. For taxes payable in 2023 and later, the credit reduces taxes for owners of agricultural property in an amount equivalent to 70% 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. 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 Credits and Deferrals that may affect certain property owners’ situations. They include:
Minnesota Homestead Credit Refund
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.
- 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 $128,280
- Refund is on a sliding scale, based on your income and your total property tax burden
- The maximum refund is $3,140
- 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