The problem isn't local Government Aid nor is it Homestead Credit repeal, or the Property Tax Refund program. It is a combination of uncontrollable spending and an archaic assessment system to finance local governments.
The Department of Revenue doesn't set standards for uniform assessment or accountability. The last time the property tax division set "house" guidelines was in 1975. There are no audits of property tax assessing, state or private. County assessors are allowed to set their own standards which are not in conformity statewide.
The DOR property tax division ignores state statutes to protect errant assessors from citizen complaints that make a mockery of the "Code of Conduct and Ethics for licensed Minnesota assessors." When has MSS 273.21 Neglect by Auditor or Assessor; Penalty been invoked or assessor harassment been investigated?
The costs of statewide property tax administration by township, county, and city assessors that include office staff at these levels is a taxpayer burden. Add state level administration, appeals court, and property tax refund staff to correct assessment error rates of 51 percent and more, the end cost is likely well over $1.5 million. The true cost has not been revealed by the State.
Department of Revenue research has shown that most homeowners with incomes less than $30,000 are paying more than 10 percent of their income in property tax: Some percentages go as high as 25-30 percent while there are homeowners with incomes greater than 90 percent who support local government and schools with less 5 percent of their income. Is this fair taxation?
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The solution is with the legislature. Contact your legislators or ask or demand meaningful property tax reform, not more non-existent Local Government Aid.
Les Ristinen
President, Becker County VP Assn, Inc.
Frazee
