St. Paul homeowners will see hefty property tax increases in 2022 if officials sign off on plans introduced in recent weeks.
A joint panel of city, county and schools officials learned Monday that taxes on the city's $228,700 median-valued home could rise by $338, or 11%, under their respective tax-levy plans and other factors.
The projection came together when the school district — the last of the three major jurisdictions to unveil a levy proposal — said Monday that it will consider a levy increase of up to 3.1% for its portion of the tax bill.
Several steps remain before officials take final action on their respective tax plans in December. But signs point to a sharp reversal of the lighter touch offered a year ago when property owners were struggling with the effects of the pandemic as well as the civil unrest following the death of George Floyd.
Homeowners typically aren't aware of the potential combined impacts of city, county and school levy changes until they receive their Truth in Taxation notices in November. St. Paul's early forecast is unique — a product of a state law that created the joint city, county and schools committee. Officials are asked to look at spending from a taxpayers' perspective.
"I would suggest that it's more important today than ever," Mayor Melvin Cartersaid Monday.
Last month, he recommended that the city raise its levy by 6.9%, a figure that City Council Member Rebecca Noecker wants to see lowered before the council votes on the budget in December. She also is a member of the joint committee and suggested Monday that there be greater efforts to inform citizens about possible property tax refunds.
Ramsey County is proposing a 1.5% increase in its levy.
