This site provides information for taxpayers of Independent School District 487 – Upsala, regarding how the district’s proposed referendum may affect property taxes. The site was prepared in cooperation with Ehlers, the district’s independent municipal advisor. If you have questions about the information on this site, please contact Ehlers using the information provided below.
About the Referendum
The district will hold a special election on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 seeking voter approval of two ballot questions.
QUESTION 1 would authorize the district to issue an amount not to exceed $4,675,000 in bonds to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including improvements and upgrades to HVAC, electrical systems and roofing, the installation of de-humidification improvements and the acquisition and installation of replacement boilers.
QUESTION 2 would authorize the district to issue an amount not to exceed $4,060,000 in bonds to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction, remodeling and equipping of early childhood classroom spaces and a career and technical education classroom addition; the construction and equipping of fitness classrooms, storage facilities and district support spaces; and the completion of accessibility improvements.
QUESTION 2 IS CONTINGENT ON QUESTION 1, MEANING IT CAN ONLY PASS IF QUESTION 1 PASSES.
For more information on how these funds would be used, return to the District’s website.
Impact on Property Taxes
Approval of the ballot questions would result in a property tax increase beginning with taxes payable in 2024 and your taxes would remain at that higher amount for 4 years, after which time bond payments on the district’s existing and new debt would decline, for the remaining 16 years that the bonds will be outstanding. To determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot questions on your 2024 taxes, follow the instructions below or view sample property types and values here.
Your 2024 taxes will be based on the 2023 Estimated Market Value (EMV), which was provided on the “Notice of Valuation and Classification” mailed by your county in March 2023. You can review the current value for taxes payable in 2024 using this Notice of Valuation and Classification, contact your county and ask for the 2023 EMV for taxes payable in 2024 or follow the instructions below to look up your 2024 EMV on your county’s website.
Click on the link below, under the search tab, enter in your search criteria. On the search results screen, click on your parcel number. Scroll down to the “Valuation” section and use the value listed as “EMV (Estimated Market Value) Total” for the most current year in the calculator below.
Click on the link below, select “Accept” in the pop-up window and enter in your search criteria and click “Go” using the search icon on the left. Once you have your correct parcel, click on the “Documents” button located at the bottom of the map. On the pop-up, click on the “Taxation & Valuation” tab, click the plus sign next to valuation and use the value listed under, “Total EMV” for the most current year in the calculator below.
Click on the link below, select “I Accept” and click “Proceed.” Enter your search criteria, on the search results screen, select your parcel. Make sure to select the one labeled with the current payable year listed in the “Year” column. Click on the “Value Information” tab and use the values listed as, “Total MKT” in the calculator below. Use the number furthest left if they are different.
ONLINE CALCULATORS: ESTIMATING TAX IMPACT
Residential Homestead Property
If you own a RESIDENTIAL HOMESTEAD property, enter the Estimated Market Value below to see the estimated tax impact
Commercial / Industrial Property
If you own COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL property, enter the Estimated Market Value below to see the estimated tax impact.
Seasonal / Recreational Property
If you own seasonal or recreational property, enter the Estimated Market Value to see the potential tax impact.
Agricultural Property
If you own agricultural or other types of property, please complete the following form and submit it to Ehlers. Once we receive it, an Ehlers representative will contact your county to find the value and classification of your property, calculate the tax impact and contact you via phone or email with the results. Please allow 1-3 days for completion. PLEASE NOTE: you may enter up to 10 property IDs by clicking the “+” button at the end of each row. For more than 10 properties, please contact Ehlers.
If you have any questions, please call Ehlers at 1-800-552-1171 and ask to speak with a member of our Education Team.
School Building Bond Agricultural Credit
This property tax credit originally took effect with property taxes payable in 2018. For taxes payable in 2023 and later, the credit reduces taxes for owners of agricultural property in an amount equivalent to 70% of the taxes attributable to school district debt service for all agricultural property, except for the house, garage, and one acre. This credit is directly deducted from property taxes owed and applies to debt service levies for all types of existing and future bonds for construction and renovation projects. The credit is paid through an open and standing appropriation, which means that no action by the Legislature is required each year for this credit to be paid from the state general fund. The credit is automatically deducted on the tax statement and is included in the tax impact estimates provided by Ehlers.
There are certain Minnesota Tax Credits and Deferrals that may affect certain property owners' situations. They include:
Minnesota Homestead Credit Refund
If your household income is less than approximately $128,280, you may qualify for the Homestead Credit Refund (also known as the “Circuit Breaker” refund). This program, which has existed since the 1970s, is intended to reduce tax burdens for homeowners with relatively low incomes and relatively high property tax burdens. Some important facts about this program are summarized below.
- Available each year to owners of homestead property
- Applies only to the taxes attributable to the house, garage, and one acre on agricultural homestead property
- Available to all owners of residential homestead and agricultural homestead property with household incomes of less than $128,280
- Refund is on a sliding scale, based on your income and your total property tax burden
- The maximum refund is $3,140
- Also available to renters
- To determine eligibility and refund amounts, complete Minnesota tax form M1PR
Special Property Tax Refund
If your total property taxes increase by more than 12 percent and more than $100 from one year to the next, you may qualify for a state refund equal to a portion of the increase. There is no income limit for this refund.
To determine eligibility and refund amounts, complete Minnesota tax form M1PR.
Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral
If you are 65 years or older and have a household income of $96,000 or less, you may be eligible to defer a portion of the property taxes on your home, through the Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program. The program:
- Limits the maximum amount of property tax you pay to 3 percent of your total household income
- Provides predictability; the amount of tax you pay will not change for as long as you participate in this program
The 2023 Legislature modified the requirements of this program by increasing the household income limit to $96,000. This new income limit is in effect for taxes payable in 2024 and later years.