MANKATO, Minn. -
As the year draws to a close, local governments are wrapping up their truth in taxation hearings and setting property tax levies throughout the region.
So what can your community expect for 2013?
The average household in Blue Earth County will ring in the new fiscal year with little change to their tax bill.
For example, although Blue Earth County will have a 2.6% increase for their portion of the levy, (expected to be approved December 18th) the average homeowner will see a drop from the county on their tax bill.
But farmers will be making up the difference.
Blue Earth County Administrator Bob Meyer says, "Property owners are going to see a reduction in taxes in residential properties, commercial, industrial properties. But in the case of ag, because the values are increasing so significantly, they'll see the opposite impact. They'll see some increased tax burden as a result of that."
It's a similar story throughout the area, though New Ulm residents can expect some sticker shock.
The city has increased their levy by 4.5%, with the school district tacking on an additional $1.3 million in their operating levy.
And with property taxes, nothing is as straightforward as it seems.
Along with shifting lighting costs from the tax levy to a fee, the city of Mankato also turned over half of the levy designated for the county library to Blue Earth County.
Meyer says, "The city of Mankato is not going to levy for their contribution to the library, so the county is picking that part up and this represents a little over 2% of our 2.6% increase."
