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A week from Monday, property tax levies for Minnesota local governments must be finalized, and many homeowners have flooded public hearings to voice displeasure with what’s on tap.

The property tax levies — and in many cases hefty increases to them — 

. But the public pressure over them has been felt throughout the state.

All month, property owners packed city council chambers and county board rooms. They often came with 2026 preliminary tax statements in their hands and an expression of shock on their faces.

“I've been in the house for 33 years,” said Michael Noble, a homeowner in Stearns County. “The biggest tax increase in all the years I've been there."

“Why do we need 10 more percent?” Demose Vigstol of Itasca County asked county commissioners during the county truth in taxation meeting. “That doesn't make any sense to me, and I am mad as hell, and I know you all are, too."

That sentiment was on replay in front of boards, councils and townships, according to several hearings MPR News observed. 

Minnesota is seeing some of its biggest across-the-board property tax hikes in years. As proposed, the combined hikes in cities, school districts, townships and counties would raise the taxes on Minnesota property owners by nearly $950 million.

According to state data, it will be the highest average tax levy increase for counties alone since at least 2002.

“It frustrates guys like me. Now I'm on a fixed income,” said Todd Libra of Itasca County to the county board. “Now I got to pay this 10 percent. This hurts. This really hurts, guys.”

Officials heard not only about proposed significant tax hikes. They got pushback over  assessments that some property owners deemed too steep. And they fielded plenty of questions and criticism about how they're spending tax dollars they already get.

"There is a property tax problem in this city,”  said resident Brian Bergson during the city of St. Paul’s tax hearing in early December. “And the only way that the taxes can come down is if you don't spend as much money."

Officials have responded by saying local governments are also under financial pressure.

Itasca County Auditor Austin Rohling laid fault at the foot of state government. He argued that new requirements — like paid leave and expanded sick time — are driving up costs. But there are others, too, he said. 

“Fuel, materials, utilities, insurance and equipment have all gotten more expensive,” he said. “State and federal funding streams have been reduced, even as requirements increase, less support and more mandates is putting counties in a financial position where local taxpayers ultimately are bearing this brunt."

It could get worse: Counties are bracing for federal changes that will click into place before long and shift additional costs for social service programs onto them.

How much extra will spill downhill is still unclear. That uncertainty prompted Stearns County to sock some money away just in case, said county finance director Sarah Utsch.

"There's just so much unknown right now at the state and federal level, specifically in human services programs, but in other areas too, that we felt it prudent to put a million dollars into a contingency account,” Utsch said.

For home, cabin and other property owners, however, the increased pain is coming now in their 2026 tax bill. Some might find relief by taking on their value assessment, but it could lead others toward established state aid programs.

State finance officials anticipate an uptick in demand. While local governments depend the most on property taxes to help pay for services, the state shoulders the demand of relief programs.

 projects use of assessment and income-based tax relief programs to rise by tens of millions of dollars more each year. In the current budget, the forecast projects an $84 million, or 1.8 percent, bump in demand. 

Special property tax refunds for people who see significant increases to their property taxes are slated to rise as much as 50 percent, or $8 million more than previously thought.

The raw totals are even higher in the next two-year budget.

State Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquart said it's not a surprise.

"There's a strong correlation between property tax increases and also the increase that will go out in your various property tax refunds,” he said. 

Local governments can reduce but not increase their tax levies from their initial proposals. Earlier this fall, they were required to deliver preliminary tax statements to homeowners ahead of the public hearings. 

State law requires that levies be locked in by Dec. 29.

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Across the state, local government officials have been hearing plenty from constituents about increases in property taxes. Those taxes must be finalized by next week.

Chorus of complaints greet local leaders as Minnesota property taxes finalized

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