City Council

HOPKINS CITY COUNCIL AGENDA Monday, December 6, 2021 7:00 pm THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE START OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. ADOPT AGENDA III. PUBLIC HEARING 1. 2022 Budget Meeting, 2022 Tax Levy and General and Special Revenue Fund Budgets; Bishop IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS  Next Regular City Council Meeting: Tuesday, December 7 at 7 p.m.  Next City Council Work Session: Tuesday, December 14 at 6:30 p.m. V. ADJOURN December 6, 2021 Council Report 2021-121 2022 BUDGET MEETING, 2022 TAX LEVY AND GENERAL AND SPECIAL REVENUE FUND BUDGETS Proposed Action The following motion can be approved after the public hearing: Move to Adopt Resolution 2021- 084 approving the 2022 tax levy and adopting the 2022 General and Special Revenue Fund budgets. Adoption of this motion will result in staff forwarding the appropriate documentation to Hennepin County for inclusion on property taxes for 2022 and will approve the 2022 General and Special Revenue Fund budgets. Overview A draft version of the 2022 Budget and Tax Levy was prepared by staff and presented to City Council on July 13th. The draft included both conservative revenue estimates and decreased expenditures. The City also hosted a virtual budget engagement session on August 16th that reviewed a similar version of the budget and tax levy. Local Government Aid amounts were published the last week in July. The certified amount of $880,066 was incorporated, which was an increase of $26,395 and results in a reduction to the tax levy of the same amount. On September 7th City Council approved a preliminary tax levy of $18,409,708, which is a $621,324 or 3.49% increase from 2021. City Council also directed staff to continue to look for additional ways to reduce the 2022 levy before approval. On November 9th staff recommended a tax levy of $18,187,374, a $398,990 or 2.24% increase from 2021. The recommended levy included $222,334 in reductions from the preliminary levy adopted in September. City Council directed staff to continue to reduce the recommended 2022 levy before approval. The budget in its current form recommends spending in the general fund at $16,173,620 and a total tax levy of $18,140,100. The recommended levy has been reduced by $269,608 from the preliminary levy. In addition, a proposed HRA levy of $391,302 is also being recommended. The resolution approving the tax levy for 2022 and setting the 2022 general and special revenue fund budgets can be passed after the truth-in-taxation hearing is closed. Primary Issues to Consider • The 2022 levy must be certified to the Hennepin County by December 28, 2022. Supporting Information • Summary of Changes from Preliminary Levy • Tax Levy and Budget Overview • Resolution 2021-068 • 2022 General Fund and Special Revenue Fund Budgets • 2022 Tax Levy Summary • Association of MN Counties – “Why Property Taxes Vary from Year to Year” Nick Bishop, CPA Finance Director  Summary of Changes from Preliminary Levy The Final 2022 levy would be set at $18,140,100, a $351,716 or 1.98% increase from 2021. The recommended levy has been reduced by $269,608 from the preliminary levy General Fund Levy: The general fund levy would be set at $13,219,739, which is a $37,334 reduction from the preliminary levy. Intergovernmental chargebacks would be increased for administrative services provided to other funds. The allocation amounts have been reviewed and adjusted to reflect current service needs. Capital Levy: The capital levy would set at $50,000, which is a $150,000 reduction from the preliminary levy. The design work for the Activity Center-Facility Improvement project would be delayed until 2023 or later. The project would not be completed until 2024 or later. Other projects at the Activity Center and Fire Station would proceed. The Capital Improvement Fund would be projected to decrease its fund balance by $52,828 and end 2022 with a fund balance of $154,354. Pavilion Levy: The pavilion levy would be set at $418,000, which is a $78,000 increase from the preliminary levy. The two requested projects would be completed with assistance from the Hockey Youth Hockey Association • Pavilion/Central Park Audio Visual Systems - $70,000 o City ($60,000), HYHA ($10,000) o Price is comparable with similar projects • Pavilion Arena Lighting Replacement - $18,000 Equipment Replacement Levy: The equipment replacement levy would be set at $0, which is a $250,000 reduction from the preliminary levy. This levy amount would still allow for the purchase of all equipment in the Equipment Replacement Fund. Both the fire truck and single axle dump truck funded with equipment certificates (debt). The Equipment Replacement Fund would be projected to increase its fund balance by $61,063 and end 2022 with a fund balance of $845,691. Permanent Improvement: A permanent improvement levy would be created for $110,000. The levy would be used for street lighting upgrades on Feltl Court. Debt Levy/Park Dedication Fund: The debt levy would be set at $4,003,044, which is a $20,274 reduction from the preliminary levy. The same amount of franchise fees used for parks would be allocated to bond payments. The Park Improvement Fund Balance would remain flat and end 2022 at $305,300.  Tax Levy and Budget Overview The Final 2022 levy would be set at $18,140,100, a $351,716 or 1.98% increase from 2021. Based on preliminary tax capacity information, city taxes on a median value home ($315,000) will be $2,002, a $148 increase from 2021. The two largest areas supported by the levy are public safety and capital projects & debt. This is a breakdown of estimated City property taxes: Median Value Home ($315,000) Percentage Public Safety $ 773 38.7% General Government $ 283 14.1% Public Works $ 227 11.3% Parks and Recreation $ 140 7.0% Pavilion $ 46 2.3% Arts Center $ 37 1.8% Activity Center $ 37 1.8% Capital projects & debt $ 459 23.0% Total $ 2,002 100.0% Public Safety is comprised of police, fire and inspection departments. In total they make up 38.7% of the levy. The Police Department’s Mission is to serve the community with Honesty, Integrity and Respect. They accomplish this through community engagement, relationship building and providing education and youth initiatives. They also responded to 26,139 calls for service in 2020. They work diligently to prevent and deter crime. The Fire Department makes a positive difference everyday by providing quality fire response, prevention services, emergency medical, hazardous materials handling and emergency preparedness. In 2020, they responded to 1,445 calls. Their average response time is 4.1 minutes. Inspections – this is the smallest department within public safety. The Inspections Department budget is mostly funded through charges for service. The 2022 budget includes revenues of $585,402 and expenditures of $904,960. The Inspections Department is 1.4% of the tax levy. Capital projects and debt is the next largest portion of the levy making up 23.0%. It supports street reconstruction, capital projects at municipal buildings and equipment purchases. The City is completing an aggressive street reconstruction plan paid for through bond issuance, special assessments and user charges for water, sewer and storm-sewer. All streets in Hopkins are planned to be reconstructed by 2030. Continuing this program ensures the future preservation of our streets and helps maintain the quality of life Hopkins residents have come to expect. In order to fully realize the benefits of Southwest Light Rail the city invested in 8th Avenue and created the Artery. The Artery is a bike, pedestrian and vehicle connection and community space between a future light rail transit station and the City’s historic downtown. The $5.7 million project leveraged $2.6 million of grants from Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County and Three Rivers Park District. The City has also invested in the Blake Road Corridor. The City is adding several pedestrian friendly amenities including: multi-use trails, landscaped boulevards and upgraded street lighting. The Road will also be upgraded to handle future traffic and development demands. The $16 million project will receive reimbursements from Hennepin County ($8 Million) and utilize Municipal State Aid of ($3 million). The City’s share of the Artery project and Blake Road reconstruction were funded with debt. They also took advantage of limited outside funding sources in order to make needed improvements. Delaying the projects would likely result in higher costs and a larger City-share of the overall cost. The Pavilion levy being proposed is $418,000 or 2.3% of the levy. In 2018, the Pavilion was upgraded and expanded. The City needed to complete a project to replace a 27-year old refrigeration system that was unreliable, developing leaks and being phased out by the EPA. The City was able to increase the scope of the project to include remodeled locker rooms, shower rooms, expanded lobby, remodeled offices, remodeled concession stand and expanded restroom facilities after receiving contributions from Hopkins School District ($1.0 Million) and Hopkins Youth Hockey Association ($1.0 Million). The project still required bond proceeds of $3.1 million to complete. The debt service for the bonds will be paid with a Pavilion levy through 2033. The Pavilion will also upgrade its audio visual system in 2022. The Arts Center levy being proposed is $339,317 or 1.8% of the total levy. The Arts Center is a premiere cultural and artistic destination drawing over 250,000 visitors annually. The City believes that it is an excellent economic development tool that helped make Mainstreet vibrant and authentic. With this levy, the Arts Center will continue to be an asset to the Community. The Activity Center is a separate facility that is included in the general fund budget. The general fund levy amount being used for the Activity Center is $335,078 or 1.8% of the levy. The Activity Center’s mission is to provide pathways to “Experience the Upside of Aging”. It is a gathering place for mature adults. It is also used as a rental facility and community space.  CITY OF HOPKINS Hennepin County, Minnesota RESOLUTION NO. 2021-084 RESOLUTION APPROVING 2022 TAX LEVY AND ADOPTING THE 2022 GENERAL AND SPECIAL REVEUNE FUND BUDGETS BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOPKINS, MINNESOTA, That the following sums of money be levied for the current year collectible in 2022 upon the taxable property in the City of Hopkins, for the following purposes. General Levy General Operations $14,137,056 Special Levies Debt Levies 2014A GO Bonds 97,000 2014B GO Refunding Bonds 675,000 2015A GO Street Reconstruction Bonds 250,000 2015B GO Tax Abatement Bonds 125,000 2016A GO Improvement Bonds 100,000 2016B GO Tax Abatement Bonds 38,041 2016C Equipment Certificates 240,000 2017A GO Street Reconstruction Bonds 915,000 2017B GO Tax Abatement Bonds 135,856 2018A GO Equipment Certificates 82,582 2018A GO Improvement Bonds 425,000 2019A GO Bonds 342,097 2019B GO Refunding Bonds 95,000 2020A GO Bonds 150,000 2020B GO Refunding Bonds 332,468 Subtotal Special Levies 4,003,044 Total Levy $18,140,100 HRA/EDA Levy Housing & Redevelopment Authority Levy $ 391,302 This levy is made based on current law and the 2022 General Fund Budget of $16,173,620.  That based upon staff analysis of specials assessments currently levied for Permanent Improvement Bonds, alternative revenue sources for the Capital Improvement Bonds and Equipment Certificates, and available reserves within all debt service funds listed below, that the debt service levies for 2022 for the following issues be levied at amounts less than that provided by the bond covenants. Net Debt Bond Issue Service Levy $1,905,000 G.O. Capital Improvement Plan Bonds of 2012A $ 0 $1,895,000 G.O. Improvement Bonds of 2014A (B2964) $ 97,000 $6,345,000 G.O. Refunding Bonds of 2014B (B2983) $ 675,000 $4,100,000 G.O. Street Reconstruction bonds of 2015A (B3031) $ 250,000 $2,940,000 G.O. Tax Abatement Bonds of 2015B $ 125,000 $4,335,000 G.O. Improvement Bonds of 2016A (B3123) $ 100,000 $11,795,000 G.O. Street Reconstruction Bonds of 2017A (B3198) $ 915,000 $3,170,000 G.O. General Obligation Bonds of 2017B $ 135,856 $6,715,000 G.O. Bonds of 2018A (B3024) $ 425,000 $12,185,000 G.O. Bonds of 2019A (B3025) $ 342,097 $2,015,000 G.O. Refunding Bonds of 2019B (B3026) $ 95,000 $8,585,000 G.O. Bonds of 2020A (B3027) $ 150,000 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the following amounts are budgeted for the Special Revenue Funds: State Chemical Assessment $65,000 TIF 2.9 Oaks of Main $8,591 Economic Development $502,072 TIF 2.11 Super Valu $2,150,000 TIF 1.2 Entertainment District $9,046 5th Avenue Flats $0 Parking $162,030 TIF 1.4 – Marketplace & Main $201,410 Hopkins Race & Equity Iniative $6,000 TIF 1.5 – Moline $944,101 Communication (Cable TV) $271,945 Arts Center $1,027,458 Depot Coffee House $254,169 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is hereby ordered and directed to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the County Auditor of Hennepin County, Minnesota. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins on this this 6th day of December, 2021. _______________________________________ Kristi Halverson, Mayor Pro Tempore ATTEST: _____________________________ Amy Domeier, City Clerk  City of Hopkins Recommended General Fund Revenue Budget December 6, 2021 For the Year Ending December 31, 2022 % Increase Department 2021 Budget 2022 Budget (Decrease) Property Taxes 12,893,552 13,304,739 3.19% Intergovernmental Revenue Local Government Aid 853,671 880,066 Intergovernmental Revenue - Other 621,000 622,000 Total Intergovernmental Revenue 1,474,671 1,502,066 1.86% Licenses, Permits & Fines Court Fines & Penalties 176,000 176,000 Building Permits & Inspections 479,300 475,500 Inspection Fines & Citations 6,000 2,500 City Clerk - Business Licenses 7,000 7,000 PD - Liquor, Animal Licenses & Penalties 97,800 98,300 Fire - Licenses & Permits 300 2,300 Public Works - Licenses & Permits 19,415 19,415 Planning & Zoning - Licenses & Permits 1,000 1,000 Total Licenses, Permits & Fines 786,815 782,015 -0.61% Charges for Service Finance Department 5,500 5,500 Assessing 3,000 3,000 Inspections 103,900 109,400 Police 35,000 35,000 Fire 10,500 10,500 Public Works 3,150 3,150 Activity Center 67,500 90,000 Total Charges for Service 228,550 256,550 12.25% Miscellaneous Revenue Franchise Fees 296,200 296,200 Miscellaneous 15,250 15,250 Finance Department 2,000 3,000 Police 500 500 Fire 3,500 3,500 Public Works 5,300 5,300 Activity Center 14,500 4,500 Community Development 30,000 - Total Miscellaneous 367,250 328,250 -10.62% Total Revenues 15,750,838 16,173,620 2.68%  City of Hopkins Recommended General Fund Expenditure Budget December 6, 2021 For the Year Ending December 31, 2022 % Increase Department 2021 Budget 2022 Budget (Decrease) City Council 102,095 104,699 2.55% Administrative Services 866,311 912,950 5.38% Finance 426,278 462,665 8.54% Legal 200,000 225,000 12.50% Municipal Building 390,560 380,901 -2.47% Assessing 245,920 244,158 -0.72% City Clerk 176,656 219,803 24.42% Inspections 879,588 904,960 2.88% Police 6,242,453 6,417,543 2.80% Fire 1,566,528 1,616,824 3.21% Public Works 3,469,191 3,509,559 1.16% Recreation 291,339 295,475 1.42% Activity Center 456,798 466,388 2.10% Planning & Zoning 233,000 204,784 -12.11% Community Development 114,921 118,711 3.30% Tuition Reimbursement 19,200 19,200 0.00% Contingency 50,000 50,000 0.00% Transfer to Other Funds 20,000 20,000 0.00% Total Expenditures 15,750,838 16,173,620 2.68%  City of Hopkins Recommended Special Revnue Funds Budget December 6, 2021 For the Year Ending December 31, 2022 Revenues % Increase Fund No. Fund 2021 Budget 2022 Budget (Decrease) 203 State Chemical Assessment 65,000 65,000 0.00% 204 Economic Development 503,070 506,302 0.64% 211 TIF 1.2 Entertainment District 30,000 30,000 0.00% 214 Parking 121,500 130,500 7.41% 216 Hopkins Race & Equity Iniative 6,000 6,000 0.00% 217 Communications (Cable TV) 243,000 243,000 0.00% 219 Depot Coffee House 233,000 254,169 9.09% 229 TIF 2.9 Oaks of Main 1,500 250 (83.33%) 231 TIF 2.11 Super Valu 2,250,000 2,370,000 5.33% 232 5th Avenue Flats - - 0.00% 233 TIF 1.4 - Marketplace & Main 195,000 206,300 5.79% 234 TIF 1.5 - The Moline 975,000 1,015,000 4.10% 250 Arts Center 1,084,159 1,087,458 0.30% Expenditures % Increase Fund No. Fund 2021 Budget 2022 Budget (Decrease) 203 State Chemical Assessment 65,000 65,000 0.00% 204 Economic Development 498,900 502,072 0.64% 211 TIF 1.2 Entertainment District 15,000 9,046 (39.69%) 214 Parking 154,875 162,030 4.62% 216 Hopkins Race & Equity Iniative 6,000 6,000 0.00% 217 Communications (Cable TV) 251,224 271,945 8.25% 219 Depot Coffee House 247,266 254,169 2.79% 229 TIF 2.9 Oaks of Main 5,000 8,591 71.82% 231 TIF 2.11 Super Valu 1,750,000 2,150,000 22.86% 232 5th Avenue Flats 2,000 - (100.00%) 233 TIF 1.4 - Marketplace & Main 185,000 201,410 8.87% 234 TIF 1.5 - The Moline 925,000 944,101 2.06% 250 Arts Center 1,024,159 1,027,458 0.32%  City of Hopkins Recommended Tax Levy December 6, 2021 For the Year Ending December 31, 2022 Actual Recommended % Increase Purpose FY2021 FY2022 (Decrease) General Operations General Fund 12,808,552 13,219,739 3.21% Capital Levy - 50,000 100.00% Arts Center 331,182 339,317 2.46% Pavilion Fund 340,000 418,000 22.94% Equipment Replacement 200,000 - -100.00% Permanent Improvement - 110,000 100.00% Total General Operations 13,679,734 14,137,056 3.34% Debt Levy 4,108,650 4,003,044 -2.57% Total Levy 17,788,384 18,140,100 1.98%  Fourteen Reasons WHY PROPERTY TAXES VARY FROM YEAR TO YEAR THE MARKET VALUE OF A PROPERTY MAY CHANGE. • Each parcel of property is assessed at least once every five years and a sales ratio study is done to determine if the property is assessed similarly to like properties. If not, the Commissioner of Revenue may issue an ‘order’ that would affect the taxable value of a parcel. • Additions and improvement made to a property generally increases its market value. THE MARKET VALUE OF OTHER PROPERTIES IN YOUR TAXING DISTRICT MAY CHANGE, SHIFTING TAXES FROM ONE PROPERTY TO ANOTHER. • If the market value of a property increases more or less than the average increase or decrease in a taxing district, the taxes on that property will also change. • New construction in a taxing district increases the tax base and will affect the district’s tax rate. THE STATE GENERAL PROPERTY TAX MAY CHANGE. • The state legislature directly applies a State General Property Tax to commercial/industrial and season/recreational property classes. A publication of the Association of Minnesota Counties THE CITY BUDGET AND LEVY MAY CHANGE. • Each year, cities review the needs and wants of their citizens and how to meet those needs and wants. This is called ‘discretionary spending’ in the city budget. Also included in the budget is non-discretionary spending which is required by state and federal mandates and court decisions and orders. THE TOWNSHIP BUDGET AND LEVY MAY CHANGE. • Each March, townships set the levy and budget for the next year. THE COUNTY BUDGET AND LEVY MAY CHANGE. • Each year, counties review the needs and wants of their citizens and how to meet those discretionary needs and wants. In addition, also included in the county budget is non- discretionary spending which is required by state and federal mandates and court decisions and orders. As much as sixty to eighty-five percent of the county expenditures are used to deliver mandated services. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT’S BUDGET AND LEVY MAY CHANGE. • The Legislature determines basic funding levels for K-12 education and mandates services that schools must perform. On average, approximately seventy percent of school costs are paid by the state. • Local school districts set levies for purposes including safe school and community education, etc. A SPECIAL DISTRICT’S BUDGET AND LEVY MAY CHANGE. • Special districts such as the Metropolitan Council, hospital districts, watershed districts, drainage districts, etc. set levies to balance their budgets. SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS MAY BE ADDED TO YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL. • Water lines, curb and gutter, and street improvements that directly benefit your property may be funded, in whole or in part, through a special assessment that is added to your tax bill. A publication of the Association of Minnesota Counties VOTERS MAY HAVE APPROVED A SCHOOL, CITY/ TOWNSHIP, COUNTY, OR SPECIAL DISTRICT REFERENDUM. • Local referendums may be held for local government construction projects, excess operating levies for schools or many other purposes. • Referendum levies may be spread on the market value or the tax capacity of a property depending on process and type of referendum levy. FEDERAL AND STATE MANDATES MAY HAVE CHANGED. • Both the state and federal governments require local governments to provide certain services and follow certain rules. These mandates often require an increase in the cost and level of service delivery. AID AND REVENUE FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS MAY HAVE CHANGED. • Each year the state legislature reviews and adjusts the level of funding for a variety of aids provided to local governments including Local Government Aid and County Program Aid. The formulas for how aid is determined and distributed among local governments may have changed. • While direct aid and revenue from the federal government to local governments has declined greatly in recent years, federal revenue continues to be a key portion of the local government revenue stream and that revenue stream may have changed. THE STATE LEGISLATURE MAY HAVE CHANGED THE PORTION OF THE TAX BASE PAID BY DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROPERTIES. • A change in class rates will require a change in the tax rate to raise the same amount of money. OTHER STATE LAW CHANGES MAY ADJUST THE TAX BASE. • Fiscal disparities, personal property taxes on utility properties, limited market value, and tax increment financing are example of laws that affect property taxes. A publication of the Association of Minnesota Counties  Glossary of Terms CATEGORICAL AID: Aid given to a local unit of government to be used only MARKET VALUE HOMESTEAD CREDIT: The Market Value Homestead Credit for a specific purpose. (MVHC) program was eliminated during the 2011 Special Session for taxes payable in 2012 and beyond. The credit was replaced with a market value CIRCUIT BREAKER: See “Property Tax Refund.” exclusion (defined below). This guide describes the (MVHC) reimbursement program. The program was designed to provide state-paid property tax relief CLASS RATES: The percent of market value set by state law that establishes to owners of certain qualifying homestead property. the property’s tax capacity subject to the property tax. MARKET VALUE HOMESTEAD EXCLUSION: The exclusion reduces the taxable COUNTY PROGRAM AID: State property tax relief aid to counties, distributed value of qualifying homesteads. Despite the decreased taxable value, taxes with a formula based on needs (households on foodstamps, age of the will increase on most properties including apartments and businesses and population, number of serious crimes) and tax base equalization for counties is independent of any action taken by local governments. The exclusion with smaller tax bases. provides for a portion of each home’s market value to be excluded from its EDUCATION AID: The total amount of state dollars paid for K-12 education. value for property tax calculations. The amount of value excluded is directly This aid is paid to the school districts. proportional to the MVHC the home received under the old law. In this way, each home contributes a smaller amount to each taxing jurisdiction’s tax FISCAL DISPARITIES: A program in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and on base. The tax rate tends to be a little higher because of the reduced tax base, the iron range in which a portion of the commercial and industrial property which is why taxes increase for the other types of property. The tax burden value of each city and township is contributed to a tax base sharing pool. Each on any given homestead could be lesser or greater depending upon the mix city and township then receives a distribution of property value from the pool of properties in the jurisdiction and the level of the tax rate. based on market value and population in each city. PROPERTY TAX: A tax levied on any kind of property. GENERAL PURPOSE AID: Aid given to units of government to be used at their own discretion. Examples are Local Government Aid and County Program Aid. PROPERTY TAX REFUND: A partial property tax refund program for those who have property taxes out of proportion with their income. This program HIGHWAY AID: Motor fuels tax and license tab money the state distributes is available to homeowners and renters. to counties, cities and townships for highways and bridges. SALES RATIO STUDY: A study conducted by the HOMESTEAD: A residence occupied by the owner. Department of Revenue of open market property sales, which is then compared to local assessments to ensure that local assessments adequately INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX: A state tax on the income of residents and non- reflect the market. residents with Minnesota sources of income that is deposited into the state general fund. STATE GENERAL PROPERTY TAX: A state-imposed property tax on commercial, industrial, and seasonal recreational properties. LEVY: The imposition of a tax, associated with the property tax. STATE SALES TAX: A state tax (6.5%) levied on the sale of goods and services LEVY LIMIT: The amount a local unit of government is permitted to levy for that is deposited into the state general fund. specific services under state law. TAX CAPACITY: The valuation of property based on market value and class LIMITED MARKET VALUE: A state imposed limit on property value increases rates, on which property taxes are determined. for the purpose of calculating property taxes. Revised October 2014 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID (LGA): A state government revenue sharing program for cities with low property wealth or high service burdens that is intended to provide an alternative to the property tax. LOCAL SALES TAX: A local tax, authorized by the state, levied on the sale of goods and services to be used for specific purposes by the local government. LOCAL TAX RATE: The tax rate usually expressed as a percentage of tax capacity, used to determine the property tax due on a property. MARKET VALUE: An assessor’s estimate of what property would be worth if it were sold. Association of Minnesota Counties 125 Charles Avenue MARKET VALUE AGRICULTURE CREDIT: A state credit to reduce the property Saint Paul, MN 55103-2108 tax paid by agricultural homesteads to the local taxing jurisdiction. Main Line/Switchboard: 651.224.3344 Fax: 651.224.6540 www.mncounties.org