Total taxes due for many properties in 2024 may be higher than in 2023, but tax rates in most jurisdictions across the county will be lower next year.

A report released by the Sherburne County Auditor/Treasurer’s Dept. in late November  shows eight of 10 townships and four of seven cities in the county have lower proposed tax rates in 2024.

The biggest expected rate drop is in the City of Clear Lake, which will fall more than six percent from 53.794% to 47.430%.

Almost every other jurisdiction that will see a decrease is in the one to two percent range.

The Big Lake Twp. rate is expected to fall from 20.051% to 19.434%. Other townships expecting to have lower tax rates in 2024 are: Blue Hill (12.892% to 11.688%), Clear Lake (13.523% to 13.264%), Haven (14.549% to 12.492%), Livonia (17.344% to 17.113%), Orrock (18.442% to 17.641%), Palmer (13.240% to 12.651%) and Santiago (14.040% to 12.432%).

The only two townships with proposed tax rate increases are Baldwin (12.936% to 13.851%) and Becker (15.670% to 17.634%.)

The City of Big Lake will see an almost two percent drop from 38.545% to 36.651%. The tax rate in the city’s rural service district (RSD) will fall from 8.870% to 7.005%. (RSDs are typically undeveloped properties in a city that have limited city services compared to other lands.)

Cities with less than a percent decrease are Elk River (39.700% to 39.079%) and Zimmerman (36.812% to 36.057%).

The other three cities are proposing rate increases. The biggest hike is in Princeton, which is expected to go from 54.783% to 60.030%, the highest in the county.

The City of Becker’s rate is expected to increase from 44.926% to 45.931% and in East St. Cloud, from 51.633% to 53.020%.

Total taxes payable will also be affected by the market value of the home or business, local levies and by other taxing districts, such as Sherburne County, fire departments and school districts.

The county’s tax rate is expected to fall from 38.630% to 36.622%.

Six of seven school districts that affect Sherburne County properties will also have lower tax rates in 2023. They include Foley Dist. 51 (22.255% to 19.397%), Princeton Dist. 477 (21.328% to 21.046%), Becker Dist. 726 (19.281% to 19.240%), Big Lake Dist. 727 727 (29.896% to 28.544%), Elk River Dist. 728 (26.605% to 23.882%) and St. Cloud Dist. 742 (22.696% to 21.255%). The only proposed school tax rate increase is Monticello Dist. 882 (12.865% to 15.797%).

Tax notices were sent out in November. They include line items for each taxing jurisdiction, taxes in 2023 and proposed 2024 taxes.