Four of the top five county taxpayers in Sherburne County continue to be utility and energy-related companies, and because of an increase in market value, tax capacity has also taken a big jump.

 

A report released in April  by the county auditor/treasurer’s office shows Xcel Energy, now called Northern States Power Company - MN, remains the top taxpayer in the county with a net tax capacity of $8,756,602. That is up significantly from last year’s $8,077,680. Southern Minnesota Municipal Power,  was next at $4,315,856, a big increase from $2,743,310 in 2014.

 

Great River Energy was third at $1,070,394, followed by Minnegasco Property Accounting at $415,870.

 

JPM Capital (United Healthcare Data Center) was fifth with a net tax capacity of $379,972. Total taxes paid by each business depends on each taxing jurisdiction’s tax rate. The commercial-industrial state general levy property tax rate for taxes payable 2015 is 50.840 percent. Each township, city and school also has its own tax rates, which are multiplied by the tax capacity to determine taxes payable. 

 

Northern States Power and Southern Minnesota Municipal Power are also the top two taxpayers in the City of Becker, followed by Liberty Paper, Inc. with a tax capacity of $218,104. Next are James & Associates, LLLP ($84,692) and Great River Energy ($84,116).

 

Riverwood Bank is at the top in the City of Big Lake with a tax capacity of $137,532. Remmele Engineering is second at $121,930 followed by Inland Big Lake, LLC ($106,036), Centracare Health System ($69,664), Great River Energy ($62,942) and Cargill Kitchens ($55,012). 

 

Northern States Power is the top taxpayer in Becker Twp. with a net tax capacity of $82,568. R D Offutt Company is next at $81,973 followed by VONCO II, LLC ($49,186), Carefree Country Club ($37,008) and Great River Energy ($37,046). 

 

Nordic Investments (Minnesota Limited) is the biggest taxpayer in Big Lake Twp. with a net tax capacity of $147,866.  Minnegasco is next at $35,804, followed by Midwest Lumber $34,510, Dechene Family Limited Partnership ($29,232), Burlington Northern (BNSF) at $29,134 and  Northern Sates Power at $28,426. 

 

Top taxpayers in surrounding townships and cities include BNSF in Clear Lake Twp. ($42,104); Sysco Acquisition in Haven Twp. ($209,740); Northern States Power in Orrock Twp. ($41,470); Great River Energy in Palmer Twp. ($59,838); Centra Sota Cooperative in Santiago Twp. ($15,310) and Sherburne State Bank in Clear Lake City ($14,440).