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There were differing opinions among County Board members about when exactly the optimal time was to cut back next year’s budget, so the levy and budget were adopted on a 3-2 vote.  Commissioners Montzka and Dunne were ready to enact a minimal levy hike  now, which is down about two percent from what’s been developed in work sessions.  The rest of the Board said they’ll vote for a reduced increase in December.

The Dunne-Montzka lobby was supportive of going for a 2.5 percent levy hike. This results from trimming about $1.2 million off the line items the commissioners have crafted.

The Dahlberg-Greene-Swenson contingent supported adopting the working 4.9 percent hike number,  with the goal being to decrease the figure when the final numbers get adopted in December.  The county board sets a maximum now in September— and cuts back from that.  There are no increases allowed by law.

The commissioners voting on the side of the preliminary heftier increase said they want a cushion in there mostly to see how wage negotiations end up. They also prefer not to set up having to dip into county reserves (fund balance) just yet,  with so much unpredictability in the federal government.

The difference between the two percentage points in the hikes ($1.2 million) does not translate to large amounts per parcel.  And, Commissioner Montzka noted that new construction coming onto the tax rolls will reduce whatever net increase the Board supports, so even 4.9 percent won’t realistically end up impacting properties at that level.

Commissioner Dunne promised she will hang onto her notes from this discussion and see how the three  meet expectations to reduce the increase come December.

The Board scheduled the county property tax public hearing for 7 p.m. December 3 at the Government Center. 

One of the highlights for the county budget includes the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District, whose expenses are planned to go to $707,561. The levy for the LID in 2025 was $383,770 and the maximum set by the Board last week is at $457,561. This is an approximate 16 percent increase.   The district tax amount is listed as the LID on your tax statement.

Also, the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District is separate from the Chisago County action taken last week but its budget impacts Chisago property taxpayers.  The watershed district is in and around the southwest corner of the county. If you are paying a tax to support it, there will be a line item on your tax statement.

The watershed district board is meeting tonight Sept 25 on its budget.  

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