The Rice County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a $33.8 million property tax levy for 2023, an amount 8.89% higher than in 2022.
Most of the increase will go to repay bonds used to finance the construction of a new Public Safety Center and to cover higher personnel costs, which commissioners agree is necessary to recruit, train and retain talented employees.
The board hoped to avoid repaying the bonds with a property tax increase, but when the Minnesota Legislature adjourned in May without passing a bill allowing the county to offer voters an alternative, commissioners were left with no other option.
Despite the levy increase, Rice County’s tax rate dropped for the third straight year. And property taxes remain among the lowest in the state.
Also included in the $90.27 million 2023 budget also approved Tuesday is more than $810,000 in funding for local nonprofits, including the Rice Soil and Water Conservation District, Rice County Historical Society, and the three county libraries: Faribault, Lonsdale, and Northfield. Each of the libraries, which continue to see increases in patronage, will receive $6,000 more in 2023 than in 2022.
By function, Roads and Bridges expenditures – at 24% -- makeup nearly one-quarter of the 2023 budget. Human Services follows closely at 23% of the total budget. Public Safety is at 17%; General Government is at 14%.
The board on Tuesday also approved a separate $225,450 levy for the Housing & Redevelopment Authority, a 13,24% increase over 2022.
Contact:
Sara Folsted, Rice County Administrator
507-332-6100
Suzy Rook, Communications Coordinator
507-384-6509
Original source can be found here.
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