DEPARTMENT: Finance
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Adoption Of 2026 Certified Dakota County Maximum Proposed Tax Levy
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Adopt a maximum proposed 2026 property tax levy of $184,246,066 for Dakota County.
SUMMARY
As part of the 2026 budget process, the County Board is required by state statute to adopt a
resolution setting the maximum proposed property tax levy on or before September 30, 2025. The
proposed levy is the amount that will be used on all Truth in Taxation (TNT) notices. The 2026 final
levy to be adopted in December may not exceed the proposed levy amount except in a few narrow
instances specified by Minn. Stat. §275.065.
State requirements for public budget and levy hearings for 2026 are that, in lieu of the formerly
mandated TNT hearing, counties are required to hold a meeting at which the budget and levy will be
discussed, and the public is allowed to provide input. The meeting will be held on December 2, 2025,
at 6:00 p.m. Preceding the meeting Finance will be presenting additional information at a Budget Open House.
After adoption of the 2026 maximum proposed property tax levy, the budget schedule continues as
follows:
December 2 Budget/Levy (Truth in Taxation) Public Hearing
December 16 Adoption of the 2026 Budget and Property Tax Levy
On July 23, 2025, staff presented information at a County Board Budget Workshop regarding 2026
budget planning, including expected changes in revenue and expenditures, key assumptions and
preliminary budget reductions. On August 19, 2025, staff presented updated information on
2026 spending pressures, funding sources, and budget reductions and presented various scenarios for percent increase in maximum levy. On September 16, 2025, staff presented additional planning updates along with a recommended maximum levy increase of 9.9%.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
The County Manager recommends the County Board adopt a maximum proposed 2026 property tax levy of $184,246,066 for Dakota County. Given anticipated inflationary cost pressures, state and federal cost shifts, and funding reductions, a tax levy in this amount, in combination with reductions to expenditures and reallocation of existing financial resources, is estimated to be needed to cover cost growth on current service demands and caseload.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The recommended 2026 maximum levy of $184,246,066 for Dakota County represents a 9.9% increase from 2025 tax levy. The impact of this on a median-value home with a market value of $385,000 within Dakota County (up 3.61% from 2025 tax value of $371,600) in 2026 would be $781.20, an increase of $66.11 (9.24%) on the median-value home from 2025.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☒ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is required to adopt a maximum proposed property tax levy by September 30,2025, and to establish the date of a public hearing for input on levy and budget consideration.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby
adopts the 2026 maximum proposed property tax levy of $184,246,066 (9.9% increase from 2025);
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That staff are directed to conduct appropriate calculations and file
necessary documentation with the State of Minnesota to certify this action; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a Budget/Levy (Truth in Taxation) Public Hearing to receive
public input on the County’s property tax levy and 2026 budget is hereby scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on
December 2, 2025, Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Will Wallo
Author: Karen Cater