The current economy and drop in property values is causing many local government entities to make some difficult budgeting decisions. As property values decline the amount of property taxes goes down as well unless county and city commissioners raise rates to make up for this shortfall. This is forcing some difficult decisions for many.
That said, Dakota County and many of the counties cities are making the decision not to raise rates for the 2010 budget year. Especially since the state government reduced county and city governmental aid to address its own budget issues. Luckily, Dakota County and most of its cities aren’t as dependant on state government aid as some are.
Dakota County is setting it’s taxing levy at the same amount as in 2009 and is addressing a budget gap through eliminating vacant positions. Dakota County Holds Levy Steady
The move sets the county up for a tight year financially, with the board trying to erase a projected $9 million budget gap by cutting spending
The cities of Burnsville and Rosemount also made the decision to go with no increases for the coming year. Burnsville Won’t Increase Taxes Rosemount has been reducing debt in recent years which helped it reduce taxes in 2010 and possibly 2011 – Rosemount Taxes to go Down
Mendota Heights did buck the trend and has approved a preliminary levy increase of 1.66 percent for the coming year – Mendota Heights Approves Steady Spending
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