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This may seem like any other normal springtime in Minnesota, but there are certain people for whom 2025 will stand out, as the year Chisago County reached a market valuation of $10 billion.  Staff from the county assessor’s office recently shared their enthusiasm about this major milestone.  For those keeping track, there are also 30,000 individual taxable parcels in the county now.  There were about half that 25 years ago.

April is busy time for the assessor department professionals. As the month for local appeals and equalization sessions...already this week Shafer, Taylors Falls, Amador and Rush City have held theirs, there’slots happening. 

An opportunity to attend a Local Appeal and Equalization is required by state law and is where taxpayers get their chance to protest their valuations.  

A couple of local government units — Taylors Falls and Harris — hold appeal and equalization sessions at the Government Center in Center City.  The City of Wyoming AE session is at the Wyoming Library, April 15 and will be overseen by county staff. Everywhere else, the local elected officials are trained to preside over these and they’re generally taking place at a city or township hall.

Your property tax valuation and classification notice should have arrived in the mail by now.  The appeal and equalization session listed on the notice is the opportunity to show why you think the classification (residential, commercial, non-homestead etc) or the valuation may be incorrect.  

Daryl Moeller, county assessor, says the county really wants to be made aware if there are any errors behind the valuation and staff are ready to consider whatever points you make.

Moeller also stresses that assessors do not set taxes.  This is not the time to argue tax amounts.  There are March annual meetings for township citizens and Truth-in-Taxation hearings for urban dwellers for debating budgets and taxation.

The valuation process is only designed to arrive at an equitable estimated market valuation, part of the formula elected officials use to then establish their budgets.  

Valuation is based on analysis and comparison of actual real estate market data. But if your home is listed as having a finished basement, for example, and it is not finished, this is relevant.  If your parcel is mostly underwater the assessors want to know.  If the garage is more like a falling down woodshed, bring photos or invite them to view the site. The classification is also important. If it has mistakenly been deemed a rental or a commercial use this will have an impact.

The real estate sales data that the valuation process relies upon can show increases and decreases in value.  Lately Chisago County has been an active area in the number of sales, although from a high of 861 actual sales in 2022,  this has dipped to 595 for 2024.

Agricultural lands are increasing in value again. Moeller said the value for purposes of assessment per tillable acre,  went from $4,500 to $4,700 for this year.  

Should you make your case before the local government holding the appeals session for your parcel and not get the decision you hoped for, you can still ask the County Board to hear your argument.  This meeting is Tuesday June 17.  Make an appointment for a county timeslot before the May 30 deadline, call 651-213-8550.

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