In its final meeting of the year, the Sherburne County Board Tuesday approved the 2019 final property tax levy in the amount of $48,235,236.

 

That represents a 4.07% increase over the 2018 levy of $46,350,191.

 

The original budget and levy request presented during August workshops had a proposed 5.75% levy increase, with the primary drivers being wage and benefits. 

 

There were also requests by departments for a total of 14 new full time employees with a levy impact of $384,000.

 

Staff worked with the board to lower the preliminary levy increase to 4.75% ($48,551,886), which was adopted in September, and again for the final levy.

 

Based on the recommended levy increase, the county tax rate would still see a reduction due to a 7.75% increase in the county tax base. The latest demographic numbers indicate a 1.1% population growth rate, which exceeds the state average. In addition building and new home permits continue to increase. 

 

Countywide, there were 83 new home permits in 2011. That number grew to 496 in 2017. The county also saw approximately $143 million of new construction projects added to the tax rolls for taxes payable in 2019.

 

The impact on the average homestead property would have decreased if their taxable value remained constant. However, since the average residential taxable valuation has increased, the impact would be approximately $5 per month on the average residential homesteaded property in Sherburne County.

 

But the final numbers are even better for property and business owners.

 

Earlier in the meeting, the board approved the Regional Rail Authority levy in the amount of $0. That levy would have been $1,812,363. But with the adoption of the new transportation tax earlier this year, the expenses that were formerly covered by that levy will be satisfied by the local option sales tax and reserves.

 

“This is the first time in my career that I’ve recommended a zero dollar levy,” said Administrator Steve Taylor.

 

The net effect of both county levies will reduce the levy increase to 0.99%, or $2.50 per month on the average valued home.