This site provides information for taxpayers of Sauk Centre Public Schools, 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 renew the school district’s existing Capital Project/Technology Levy authorization which is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2021. The revenue will provide funds for the acquisition, installation, replacement, support and maintenance of software, software licenses, computers, improved technology equipment, networks, infrastructure, and the costs of technology related personnel and training.
QUESTION 2 would authorize the district to issue an amount not to exceed $26,450,000 in bonds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including renovations and ADA-accessibility improvements to existing restrooms in the secondary building, the construction and equipping of an early childhood center, storm shelter, and outdoor projects yard at the elementary school, remodeling and improvements to the existing elementary school library and computer lab, remodeling and improvements to create learning communities at the elementary school, the remodeling and equipping of the elementary school special education suite, the addition of a sensory room at that site, subdividing existing elementary classrooms to create smaller classrooms and break-out areas, the construction and equipping of new entrances and learning commons in the secondary building, the remodeling and equipping of the media center, staff lounge, career and technical education spaces, the construction and equipping a new cafeteria and storm shelter at the secondary school building, remodeling and improvements to create a culinary arts learning space with break-out areas, renovations to the existing science lab to create classrooms and storage areas, upgrades and improvements to lighting, boilers, water distribution systems, the central clock and public address system, and the construction of roofing repairs and improvements at the elementary school and auditorium.
For more information on how these funds would be used, return to the District’s referendum website.
Impact on Property Taxes
On July 19, 2021, the Board authorized the issuance of up to $18,900,000 of Facilities Maintenance bonds to finance for Health & Safety/indoor air quality projects at the district’s facilities, as approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Education. The issuance of the Facilities Maintenance bonds will result in an increase of property taxes starting with taxes payable in 2022 and the tax levies will remain in place for 20 years.
Approval of ballot QUESTION 1 would renew the district’s existing authority and raise approximately $259,805 for taxes payable in 2022, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for 6 years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $1,558,830.
Approval of ballot QUESTION 2 would result in an increase of property taxes starting 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.
Stearns County
Assessor's Office - (320) 656-3680
Click on the link below, select “ACCEPT” on the pop-up and click on the “Search” icon on the upper left of the screen. Input your search criteria and click “Go”. On the bottom center of the screen, click “Documents” tab and then the “Taxation and Valuation” tab. Click the “+” symbol on the Valuation option. Look for the “Total Emv” (Estimated Market Value) for the most recent Tax Year. Use this number in the tax calculator below.
Todd County
Assessor's Office - (320) 732-4431
Click on the link below, select “I ACCEPT” and then click “Proceed”. Enter in your search criteria and click on your parcel from the results screen. Make sure to click the one with “20xx Value for Tax Payable 20xx (most recent year)” listed. Then, click on the “Value Information” tab near the top of the page. Enter the first value (left value) shown on the “Total MKT” line in the tax calculator below.
Pope County
Assessor's Office - (320) 634-7715
Click on the link below, select, “I ACCEPT” and click, “Proceed” button. Enter your search criteria and click on your parcel from the search results screen. Make sure to select the one listed as, “20xx Value for Tax Payable 20xx.” Click on the, “Value Information” tab and use the number listed as, “Total MKT” in the calculator below. If there are two numbers listed, use the number on the left.
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 Residential
If you own SEASONAL RECREATIONAL RESIDENTIAL 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.
For all agricultural property, estimated tax impact for any debt service levies 2022 includes a 60% reduction due to the School Building Bond Agricultural Credit (credit in 2021 was 55%). Under current law, the credit percentage will increase to 70% by taxes payable in 2023; this will cause a reduction in taxes in future years. Average value per acre is total estimated market value of all land & buildings divided by total acres. If the property includes a home, then the tax impact on the house, garage, and one acre of land will be calculated in addition to the taxes per acre, on the same basis as a residential homestead or non-homestead property. If the same property owner owns more than approximately $1.9 million of agricultural homestead land and buildings, a portion of the property will be taxed at the higher non-homestead rate.
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