Dakota County property taxes will rise 1 percent in 2015

Dakota County residents will see slight property tax increases next year, with the average homeowner paying about $15 more in 2015 than they did in 2014.

The County Board approved a 1 percent levy increase last week. Rising property values contributed to the uptick in residents' payments. The median home value in the county is expected to grow by 8.6 percent over the next year.

Someone who owns a median-priced home of $209,500 will pay $565.73 in 2015, up from $551.02.

Dakota County has the lowest tax levy in the Twin Cities area. A homeowner with a similarly priced place elsewhere in the metro area will pay, on average, $820 in property tax, according to the county.

The county has a "culture of disciple and foresight" when it comes to spending, County Manager Brandt Richardson said at a recent meeting.

"Even with the increase this year, the operating budget is still well below the prerecession levels," he said.

The levy will garner $129.7 million, more than a third of the county's $358.8 million budget.

It also will cover the cost of park patrol staff, two additional commercial property appraisers, a city attorney position and volunteer efforts, he said.

The county anticipates jumping from the equivalent of 1,745 full-time employees in 2014 to 1,777 next year.

During the recession, the county lost about 130 positions and $40 million from its budget. Staffing levels and employee pay remained low, Richardson said.

"We're playing catch-up on salaries," he said.

Contract costs, for such things as construction and community service providers, also are ramping up, putting additional financial pressure on the county, Deputy County Manager Matt Smith said.

Meanwhile, federal reimbursements and state aid that dipped during the downturn have stabilized and are even increasing in some cases, Smith said.

"This budget is able to lean a little more heavily on those outside funding sources," he said.

County officials signed off on budget priorities for 2015 along with the tax levy.

Officials long list of goals included reducing the 4,200 active arrest warrants in Dakota County by 10 percent, increasing power production at Byllesby Dam, reducing the number of youth who repeatedly commit crimes, improving information technology infrastructure and buying and using new election equipment.

Commissioners unanimously and quietly approved the budget and tax levy Tuesday. The vote came after half a year of discussion and budget workshops.