Letter to the Editor (Verndale Sun)
To the Editor:
The county levy increased by 4.25% over the last two years. That is probably the lowest two-year increase in Minnesota or close to it.
That, along with the fact that we had new construction and new personal property, means that county taxes for most taxpayers should be very level between 2022 and 2023.
If they were up, I guess it would be related to larger land valuations in rural areas, which means our share got bigger.
We need NEW development countywide to increase the tax base and continue to drive tax rates down. Here are some other interesting 2022 facts that may affect your 2023 tax statement, which you received recently.
• New construction – $20,840,000
• New Taxable Personal property – $30,000,000
• Homestead Exclusion went down countywide by around $400,000. This is due to the fact that as property values increase the exclusion goes down and at some point disappears. This results in an actual increase. This is a state law.
• Veteran Exclusion increased to $16,169,000. This is a worthy state program, but mandates without funding.
The value of 2C forest acres increased to $28,000,000. Again, it’s a good program, but comes with no funding. It lowers tax rates slightly, but half involve parcels owned by people who do not live in the county. This increases the taxes on residents who live here.
There are 17 dairy farms left in Wadena County. As more and more land is no longer actively farmed, the property can lose its agriculture classification and becomes taxed as vacant land or some other type. This change can also significantly increase taxes on the same property.
Watch your new valuation notices closely to make sure your classification hasn’t changed. When you do receive your 2023 valuation in the near future, expect the valuations to show another sizable increase, based on property sales. The state reviews and adjusts valuation increases.
Murlyn Kreklau
District 4 Commissioner