As cities, counties and school districts formalize budgets for next year, they are required to hold meetings on the amount of taxes that they plan to levy on properties. These meetings, called truth-in-taxation hearings, are held toward the end of each year. It's a chance for citizens to learn more about how tax dollars are spent and for city officials to inform residents about why taxes might be increasing.
Most cities hold the hearings in early or mid-December. That's largely true in the north metro area, with the exception of East Bethel, which held its hearing in late November.
The majority of cities will hold hearings on Monday, including: Anoka, Arden Hills, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Columbia Heights, Circle Pines, Coon Rapids, Crystal, Dayton, Elk River, Fridley, Ham Lake, Mounds View, New Brighton, New Hope, Ramsey, Shoreview, Spring Lake Park and St. Francis.
Other scheduled meetings include Andover (Tuesday), Oak Grove (Dec. 10) and Blaine (Dec. 13). Anoka County will hold its hearing on Thursday, and Ramsey County will hold a hearing on Dec. 11.
Call your city or county directly for exact times and locations. In most cases, the meetings will begin between 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the city hall.
ERIC M. HANSON AND LORA PABST
