As market values continue to fall, the county and the majority of local taxing jurisdictions have been increasing their tax rates in order to cover their costs, even though in some cases, the tax levy was reduced.

 

It’s a trend that started in 2009 when the economy, and the anticipated growth started to decline, and has continued through 2014.

 

A report released by the Sherburne County Auditor/ Treasurer’s Dept. last week shows every township in the county had a tax rate increase this year, and all cities except Elk River, Princeton and Zimmerman hiked their tax rates for 2014.

 

The biggest increase came in Orrock Twp. where the net tax capacity fell from $15,200,435 to $14,425,090. As a result, the tax rate jumped from 6.775% to 18.790%. Before the increase, Orrock had by far the lowest tax rate in the county. The next biggest rate increase occurred in the City of Clear Lake, which hiked its rate from 74.435% to 84.672%. Clear Lake now has the highest rate in the county, replacing Princeton, which cut its rate from 86.359% to 78.762%.

 

The cities of Big Lake and Becker saw a similar increase of about 4.8%. Big Lake’s went from 55.198% to 60.048%. Becker’s increased from 29.563% to 34.367%.

 

Most other jurisdictions saw less than a two percent increase or decrease for 2014.

 

Total tax rates paid by specific properties are also affected by the county tax rate (54.420%), Regional Rail Authority (2.534%) fire districts, hospital districts, Economic Development Authority (EDA) levies, Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) levies and school district levies.

 

The following shows the school district rate changes from 2013 to 2014:

 

Dist. 51 (Foley) 56.498% to 59.323%, Dist. 477 (Princeton) 32.001% to 30.683%; Dist. 726 (Becker) 24.743% to 24.173%; Dist. 727 (Big Lake) 46.864% to 46.352%; Dist. 728 (Elk River) 50.058% to 51.286% Dist. 742 (St. Cloud) 20.44% to 20.099% and Dist. 882 (Monticello) 26.229% to 28.269%.