This site provides information for taxpayers of the Windom Area School District, regarding how the district’s proposed operating referendum and capital project levy 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 for an operating referendum and capital project levy on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, seeking voter approval of two ballot questions.
QUESTION 1 would renew its existing property tax referendum authorization of $613 per pupil which is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2021.
QUESTION 2 proposes a capital project levy authorization of 2.795% times the net tax capacity of the district, which would raise approximately $300,000 annually. The proposed authorization 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.
For more information on how these funds would be used, return to the District’s website.
Impact on Property Taxes
Approval of ballot QUESTION 1 would result in the extension of the current property taxes paid for this referendum, which are currently set to expire, starting with taxes payable in 2022, and the renewed tax levies would remain in place for 7 years.
Approval of ballot QUESTION 2 would result in a property tax increase raising approximately $300,000 the first year it is to be levied beginning with taxes payable in 2022, and the tax levies would remain in place for 7 years. The district is also planning to offset a portion of the increase in levies related to question 2 by reducing other levies, including a $95,000 reduction in levies that are used to pay for leased property.
NOTE: Agricultural property will pay taxes for the proposed operating referendum based only on the value of the house, garage and one acre. Seasonal recreational residential property (i.e., cabins) will pay no taxes for the proposed operating referendum.
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.
Click on the link below, select, “Agree” on the pop-up, enter your search criteria and select your parcel from the search results screen. Scroll down to the “Valuation/Taxation” section and use the value listed as “Est Market Value” for the most recent payable year in the calculator below.
Click on the link below, select, “Agree” on the pop-up, enter your search criteria and select your parcel from the search results screen. Scroll down to the “Taxation” section and use the value listed as “Estimated Market Value” for the most recent payable year in the calculator below.
ONLINE CALCULATORS: ESTIMATING TAX IMPACT
Residential Homestead Property
Commercial / Industrial Property
Seasonal / Recreational Property
Agricultural Property
NOTE: Agricultural property will pay taxes for the proposed operating referendum based only on the value of the house, garage and one acre.
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