The Washington County Board of Commissioners invites residents to a public hearing on the 2018 county levy and budget at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Board Room of the Government Center, 14949 N. 62nd St., Stillwater. The board has reviewed the proposed budget since it was first introduced by county staff in August . The county?s net tax levy was set at $103.9 million in September, including $335,000 to support bringing the Lake Elmo Library into the county library system. This levy amount is estimated to produce a tax rate of 30.031, which is a 1.4 percent decrease from 2017. The board may reduce the levy after it is set, but may not raise it. The recommended levy increase for 2018 would result in an annual property tax increase of about $32 for the owner of the median-valued home, which is $257,000, assuming that home?s value increased 4.9 percent during the past year. That dollar amount includes a $3 increase in the voter-approved Land and Water Legacy program. County taxpayers benefit from continued growth in the county?s tax base, with new construction up 17.5 percent over 2016, or almost $427 million, which, coupled with the levy increase, will result in a tax rate drop for the county. The final levy, budget, and capital improvement plan will be adopted Dec. 12. Budget meetings are open to the public, and are webstreamed on www.co.washington.mn.us
