Braham, Minn. — Another day. Another Minnesota county warning taxpayers that rising costs and government mandates are putting pressure on property taxes.
KSTP 5 Eyewitness News reports that Washington County is considering a 7.9% property-tax levy increase, potentially adding more than $60 to the average household’s county tax bill.
County officials cited inflation, rising costs for goods and services, planned capital investments, and government mandates among the pressures on the county budget. County Commission Chair Karla Bigham told KSTP that 2.38% of the levy estimate would go toward state and federal mandates the county cannot avoid.
Republican candidate for State Auditor Nate George says the story exposes a much bigger problem facing Minnesota taxpayers.
“Counties are getting squeezed. Cities are getting squeezed. School districts are getting squeezed,” George said. “When all three raise their levies, those increases stack up on the same property-tax bill. Suddenly, families aren’t looking at one increase — they’re looking at a tax bill they simply can’t afford.”
KSTP’s report underscores that county taxes are only one component of a homeowner’s property-tax bill, alongside city and school-district taxes. A Woodbury resident interviewed by KSTP pointed to a 9.7% city tax increase last year and the potential Washington County increase as he discussed leaving Minnesota for Wisconsin.
“When Minnesotans are talking about leaving our state because they can’t take another tax increase, government has failed them,” George said. “State and federal policymakers pass mandates. Local governments figure out how to pay for them. Taxpayers get the bill.”
George says his direct experience with local-government finances gives him an understanding of these pressures that Minnesota desperately needs in the State Auditor’s Office.
“I know what an unfunded mandate looks like when it hits a city budget. I know what rising costs do to a levy. I’ve had to make these decisions and answer directly to taxpayers,” George said. “I don’t need a briefing book to understand the problem. I’ve lived it.”
Minnesota’s State Auditor’s Office has been under DFL control since 2007.
George says taxpayers should judge that record by whether Minnesota’s local governments are getting the aggressive financial oversight and accountability they deserve.
“The State Auditor has an important responsibility to oversee local-government finances, identify problems and help protect taxpayer dollars,” George said. “Minnesotans cannot afford another four years of the status quo. It’s time for stronger oversight, greater accountability and an auditor who will aggressively follow the money.”
“Minnesota doesn’t need another career politician as State Auditor. Minnesota needs a proven watchdog who will follow the money, expose waste and fight for the taxpayers footing the bill, and that is what I will do”
