This site provides information for taxpayers of Independent School District 277 – Westonka, regarding how the district’s proposed capital project levy renewal & school building bond 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 7, 2023 seeking voter approval of two ballot questions.
QUESTION 1 proposes to renew the district’s existing capital project levy authorization of 3.400% times the net tax capacity of the school district, which is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2024. The money raised from the capital project levy authorization will provide funds for classroom and building technology, digital and print curriculum, technology to enhance safety and security, technology infrastructure and network improvements, technical staff support, device replacement, and testing.
QUESTION 2 would authorize the district to issue up to $93,400,000 in general obligation school building bonds to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction of secure entrances and other safety and security improvements at all school sites and facilities; districtwide deferred maintenance projects, including replacement of boilers, piping and electrical systems; the redesign, renovation and equipping of academic and activity spaces at the Mound Westonka High School site and facility; and the reconstruction and repair of athletic fields, tennis courts and track.
For more information on how these funds would be used, view the District’s referendum website.
Impact on Property Taxes
Approval of the Capital Project Levy ballot question would result in a property tax renewal beginning with taxes payable in 2025 and the tax levies would remain in place for 10 years.
Approval of the School Building Bond ballot question would result in a property tax increase beginning with taxes payable in 2024 and the tax levies would remain in place for 25 years. To determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot questions 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 was provided on the “Notice of Valuation and Classification” mailed by your county in March 2023.
Hennepin County
Property Tax Information - (612) 348-3011
Click on the link below, scroll down to the “Online Search” section and select the criteria by which you would like to search to find your parcel. On the results page for your parcel, click to view “Current year values”. This page will show your 2023 Assessment (For Taxes Payable 2024) values. In the “Values” and “Estimated” columns, use the value listed as “Totals” in the calculator below. This is located directly under Land, Building and Machinery.
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.
Apartments & Residential Non-Homestead (2 or more units)
If you own APARTMENTS & RESIDENTIAL NON-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.
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 $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
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Special Property Tax Refund
If your total property taxes increase by more than 6 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 $2,500.
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.