Truth in Taxation Presentation 2025.12.02Truth in Taxation
2026 Budgets & Property Tax Levy
PRESENTATION & PUBLIC INPUT
DECEMBER 2, 2025
Before We Start
•PROPERTY VALUATION
•That is not the focus of this meeting.
•No changes can be made at this meeting.
•LOCAL BOARD APPEAL & EQUALIZATION MEETING
•Annual Meeting between April 1 –May 31
•Payable 2026 Valuation Meeting was held:
•April 22, 2025
•MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
•Requirement for cities with a population over 500
•NOTIFICATION
•County sends a parcel specific notice between November 11-24
•PURPOSE OF THIS MEETING
•Discussion of 2025 Budgets
•Discussion of Levy for Taxes Payable 2025
•Discussion of Capital Improvement Plan
•Public Input
Truth in Taxation
Otsego’s Strategic Vision
Budget Process
•CITY COUNCIL OUTLINES 2026 BUDGET GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
•STAFF PREPARE PROPOSED BUDGETS
•PROPOSED BUDGETS REVIEWED
•City Council Meetings from May to November (open to public)
•6 Meetings Prior to Tonight
•PRELIMINARY TAX LEVY
•Certified September 22, 2025
•TRUTH IN TAXATION
•FINAL BUDGET ADOPTION
•Pending December 8, 2025
General Fund
General Fund Summary
2025 2026 ($)(%)
Budget Budget Change Change
Revenue Source
Taxes 6,992,002$ 7,553,534$ 561,532$ 8.03%
Cable Franchise Fees 117,000 106,000 (11,000) -9.40%
Licenses & Permits 1,703,459 1,904,463 201,004 11.80%
Intergovernmental 209,554 186,333 (23,221) -11.08%
Charges for Services 244,830 268,365 23,535 9.61%
Special Assessments 3,500 3,400 (100) -2.86%
Fines & Forfeitures 33,600 37,100 3,500 10.42%
Investment Interest 142,657 175,126 32,469 22.76%
Miscellaneous 15,500 13,000 (2,500) -16.13%
Interfund Transfers 478,000 603,000 125,000 26.15%
Total 9,940,102$ 10,850,321$ 910,219$ 9.16%
Expenditure Function
General Government 2,196,516$ 2,549,850$ 353,334$ 16.09%
Public Safety 4,263,499 4,827,286 563,787 13.22%
Public Works 2,118,872 2,234,775 115,903 5.47%
Parks & Recreation 1,250,315 1,306,497 56,182 4.49%
Economic Development 110,900 101,150 (9,750) -8.79%
Total 9,940,102$ 11,019,558$ 1,079,456$ 10.86%
Revenues
Taxes, 70%
Cable
Franchise Fee
Licenses &
Permits
Intergovernm…
Charges for
Services
Miscellaneous
Transfers In
2025
Taxes, 70%
Cable Franchise
Fee
Licenses &
Permits
Intergovernmen…
Charges for
Services
Miscellaneous
Transfers In
2026
•PROPERTY TAXES
•Total Expenditures and Subtract Other Revenue Sources
•CABLE FRANCHISE FEES
•Fewer Subscribers = Declining Revenue Source
•LICENSES & PERMITS
•New Residential Construction Permits (280 for 2025 / 285 for 2026)
•INTERGOVERNMENTAL
•Public Safety Aid Allocation ($90,054 for 2025 / $54,033 for 2026)
•TRANSFERS IN
•Administrative Services Reimbursement -$603,000
•USE OF FUND BALANCE
•Fund Balance Exceeds Minimum Policy Goal by $169,237
Revenues –Changes from 2025
Expenditures
General
Government
22%
Public Safety
43%
Public Works
21%
Parks & …
Economic
Development
1%
2025
General
Government
23%
Public Safety
44%
Public Works
20%
Parks & …
Economic
Development
1%
2026
•CITY COUNCIL; ADMINISTRATION; ELECTIONS; ASSESSING; FINANCE; INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY; LEGAL; HUMAN RESOURCES; COMMUNICATIONS; AND CITY BUILDINGS.
•Staffing
•Human Resources: New Position Budgeted to Start in April 2026
•Information Technology: New Position Budgeted to Start in July 2026
•Communications: Currently Part-Time, Budgeted for Full-Time in 2026
•Cost of Living Adjustments for Wages
•Insurance Adjustments for Benefits
•Elections –Primary and General Elections in 2026
General Government –Changes from 2025 (16.09%)
General Government –Changes from 2025 (16.09%)
2025 2026 ($)(%)
Budget Budget Change Change
General Government
City Council 114,299$ 103,178$ (11,121)$ -9.73%
City Administrator 251,975 251,087 (888) -0.35%
Administration 413,202 425,331 12,129 2.94%
Elections 7,600 84,408 76,808 1010.63%
Assessing 165,735 168,075 2,340 1.41%
Finance 418,578 449,615 31,037 7.41%
Information Technology 209,443 300,909 91,466 43.67%
Legal 37,950 38,110 160 0.42%
Human Resources 205,129 312,365 107,236 52.28%
Communications 138,017 166,339 28,322 20.52%
Prairie Center 71,091 79,013 7,922 11.14%
City Hall & Public Works 157,940 165,713 7,773 4.92%
Old Town Site 5,557 5,707 150 2.70%
Total 2,196,516$ 2,549,850$ 353,334$ 16.09%
Per Capita 95$ 107$ 12$ 12.88%
•POLICE PROTECTION; PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION; FIRE PROTECTION; BUILDING SAFETY; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT; AND ANIMAL CONTROL.
•Law Enforcement Contract -$2,098,750
•Hourly Rate Increase -$115 per hour, 4.5% Increase
•Lawful Gambling Proceeds –Covering $50,915 of this Cost for 2026
•Fire Protection Contracts -$1,635,607
•Adjustments for Tax Capacity, Market Value, Call Volumes, Budgets =18.47% increase
•Otsego Fire Department
•Phased Hiring of PT and FT Positions During 2026 ($173k)
•Training for Fire, EMS, Hazardous Materials, Etc.
•Otsego Fire Station
•Construction Complete in Summer 2026, Partial Year of Facility Operating Costs
Public Safety –Changes from 2025 (13.22%)
Public Safety –Changes from 2025 (13.22%)
2025 2026 ($)(%)
Budget Budget Change Change
Public Safety
Police Services 2,043,000$ 2,086,735$ 43,735$ 2.14%
Public Safety Commission 2,420 2,420 - 0.00%
Fire Protection 1,593,755 2,052,150 458,395 28.76%
Fire Station - 37,067 37,067 #DIV/0!
Building Safety 576,549 611,739 35,190 6.10%
Emergency Management 25,775 16,675 (9,100) -35.31%
Animal Control 22,000 20,500 (1,500) -6.82%
Total 4,263,499$ 4,827,286$ 563,787$ 13.22%
Per Capita 184$ 203$ 19$ 10.09%
Public Works –Changes from 2025 (5.47%)
•STREETS MAINTENANCE; ENGINEERING; STREET LIGHTS AND FLEET MANAGEMENT.
•Staffing
•Cost of Living Adjustments for Wages
•Insurance Adjustments for Benefits
•Street Maintenance
•Compost Site Attendant and Brush Chipping
•Gravel Road Dust Coating Applications
•Street Lighting: Electrical Utilities, Signal Light Repairs
•Fleet Services:
•Fuel, Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance, and Supplies
•Contracted Services for Major Repairs
Public Works –Changes from 2025 (5.47%)
2025 2026 ($)(%)
Budget Budget Change Change
Public Works
Street Maintenance 1,327,663$ 1,417,531$ 89,868$ 6.77%
Engineering 100,320 87,380 (12,940) -12.90%
Street Lights 184,520 201,860 17,340 9.40%
Fleet Management 506,369 528,004 21,635 4.27%
Total 2,118,872$ 2,234,775$ 115,903$ 5.47%
Per Capita 92$ 94$ 2$ 2.55%
•PARK MAINTENANCE; RECREATION; PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION; AND HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION.
•Staffing
•Cost of Living Adjustments for Wages
•Insurance Adjustments for Benefits
•Parks Maintenance: Athletic Fields, Playgrounds, Irrigation, Natural Landscapes
•Recreation: Program Supplies & Equipment
Culture and Recreation–Changes from 2025 (4.49%)
Culture and Recreation–Changes from 2025 (4.49%)
2025 2026 ($)(%)
Budget Budget Change Change
Culture and Recreation
Park Maintenance 874,655$ 914,798$ 40,143$ 4.59%
Recreation 370,560 386,499 15,939 4.30%
Heritage Preservation Commission 2,680 2,780 100 3.73%
Parks and Recreation Commission 2,420 2,420 - 0.00%
Total 1,250,315$ 1,306,497$ 56,182$ 4.49%
Per Capita 54$ 55$ 1$ 1.60%
•PLANNING COMMISSION, PLANNING & ZONING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
•Advisory Commissioner –Meeting Stipends
•Planning & Zoning Services
•Economic Development Authority –Meeting Stipends
Economic Development–Changes from 2025 (-8.79%)
2025 2026 ($)(%)
Budget Budget Change Change
Economic Development
Planning Commission 3,500$ 3,500$ -$ 0.00%
Planning 90,640 85,490 (5,150) -5.68%
Economic Development 16,760 12,160 (4,600) -27.45%
Total 110,900$ 101,150$ (9,750)$ -8.79%
Per Capita 5$ 4$ (1)$ -11.31%
Additional Budgets
21
•DRINKING WATER
•7% Rate Increase
•SANITARY SEWER
•2% Rate Increase
•STORM WATER
•10.84% Rate Increase
Public Utility Funds Budget Budget
2025 2026
Utility Revenues
Operating 8,118,701$ 8,372,395$
Non-Operating 2,966,469 1,084,179
Availability + Connection Charges 4,696,540 5,143,579
Special Assessments 35,274 40,248
Bond Proceeds 10,098,000 26,441,878
Subtotal 25,914,984 41,082,279
Expenditures
Personal Services 1,488,288 1,750,532
Supplies 1,019,630 1,024,788
Services & Other Charges 1,582,905 1,726,747
Capital Outlay 20,506,400 17,851,584
Depreciation 4,638,841 5,144,320
Debt Service 5,208,236 5,411,154
Interfund Transfers 478,000 603,000
Subtotal 34,922,300 33,512,125
Excess (Deficiency) of Revenues
Over (Under) Expenditures (9,007,316)$ 7,570,154$
Description
22
Debt Service Funds Budget Budget
2025 2026
Revenues
Taxes 290,308$ 1,567,613$
Special Assessments 168,333 160,924
Subtotal 458,641 1,728,537
Expenditures
Principal 480,000 495,000
Interest 521,315 814,381
Fiscal Agent Fee's 3,500 3,900
Subtotal 1,004,815 1,313,281
Excess (Deficiency) of Revenues
Over (Under) Expenditures (546,174)$ 415,256$
Description
Original Liability 2026 Liability
Maturity Issue Balance Principal Balance
Date Amount 12/31/2025 Payment 12/31/2026
Outstanding Bonds
2018A General Obligation Improvement 2/1/2034 2,305,000$ 1,390,000$ 205,000$ 1,185,000$
2020A General Obligation Improvement Refunding 2/1/2028 2,950,000 1,205,000 290,000 915,000
2024A EDA Lease Revenue 2/1/2046 16,900,000 16,900,000 - 16,900,000
Grand Total 22,155,000$ 19,495,000$ 495,000$ 19,000,000$
Description of Bond Issue
-
2,000,000
4,000,000
6,000,000
8,000,000
10,000,000
12,000,000
14,000,000
16,000,000
18,000,000
20,000,000
-
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
1,400,000
2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036 2037 2038 2039 2040 2041 2042 2043 2044 2045 2046
Principal Payments Bonds Outstanding
Special Revenue Funds
•BUDGETED FUNDS
•Tax Increment District No. 1
•Tax Increment District No. 2
•Tax Increment District No. 3
•OTHER FUNDS
•Insurance Reserve
•Vireo Health
•Lawful Gambling
•Street Light District
•Development Revolving
Budget Budget
2025 2026
Revenues
Tax Increments 609,601$ 645,302$
Subtotal 609,601 645,302
Expenditures
Personal Services 3,200 3,500
Services & Other Charges 4,500 5,100
Development Incentives 510,542 576,435
Subtotal 518,242 585,035
Excess (Deficiency) of Revenues
Over (Under) Expenditures 91,359$ 60,267$
Description
Property Tax Levy
25
•MARKET VALUE
•Wright County Assessor sets valuations
•Board of Appeal and Equalization (4-22-2025)
•2025 ASSESSMENT – PAYABLE 2026
•Residential: 4.21%
•Median Value (2024): $386,400
•Median Value (2025): $402,500 or 4.2% Increase
•Multi-Family: 2.85%
•Commercial: 3.01%
•Industrial: 15.37%
•Agricultural: -1.24%
2026 Tax Capacity - Factors
Market
Value
Class Rate Tax Capacity
Tax Capacity
ADD THEM ALL UP = TAX BASE
Tax Capacity - Continued
80%
16%
2%2%
2026
Residential Commercial & Industrial
Agricultural Personal Property
$-
$5,000,000
$10,000,000
$15,000,000
$20,000,000
$25,000,000
$30,000,000
$35,000,000
Residential Commercial &
Industrial
Agricultural Personal Property
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Tax Levy
•$11,105,525
Tax Capacity
•$41,701,870
Tax Rate
•26.631
Tax Rate School District County City School Total RMV
Elk River Area - 728 35.167 26.631 24.478 86.276 25.428
STMA - 885 35.167 26.631 33.721 95.519 15.139
Monticello - 882 35.167 26.631 12.921 74.719 15.454
2026
2026 Tax Levy Summary
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
General Operations $5,009,000 $5,366,000 $6,336,000 $7,000,000 $7,545,000
Capital Projects 2,988,590 3,344,939 2,265,393 2,015,126 1,884,287
Debt Service 547,187 544,416 299,144 290,308 1,567,614
Tax Abatements 40,228 74,668 88,224 87,436 108,624
$-
$1,000,000
$2,000,000
$3,000,000
$4,000,000
$5,000,000
$6,000,000
$7,000,000
$8,000,000
Per Capita
City of Otsego 430$ 438$ 396$ 406$ 467$
30
2026 Taxes - Calculation
Payable Payable (%)
2025 2026 Change Comments
Residential
Median Appraised Value 386,400$ 402,500$ 4.17%Source - Wright County
Less: Market Value Exclusion (11,774) (10,325) Max Benefit = $30,400 / Phase Out = $517,200
Taxable Market Value 374,626 392,175 Subtract MV Exclusion from Estimated MV
Class Rate 1.00%1.00%Set by Legislature (Over $500k is 1.25%)
Tax Capacity 3,746 3,922 Taxable MV Multiplied by Class Rate
City of Otsego - Tax Rate 24.352 26.631 9.36%Tax Levy Divided by Tax Capacity * 100
City of Otsego - Estimated Taxes 912$ 1,044$ 14.48%Tax Capacity Multiplied by Tax Rate
31
2022 to 2026 Taxes – Comparison
•MARKET VALUE
•92.8% of Residential
Properties In This
Range
2026 Wright County Tax Rates - Preliminary
St.
Michael
(*)
Otsego Dayton Hanover
(*)
Monticell
o (*)
Annandal
e Rockford Delano Albertville Waverly Buffalo
(*)
Maple
Lake
Clearwate
r Montrose Cokato Howard
Lake
South
Haven
Tax Rate 26.138 26.631 35.944 36.485 38.185 42.480 44.091 44.497 44.809 44.895 51.638 56.371 57.435 61.444 63.751 70.117 74.136
City Tax 1,025 1,044 1,410 1,431 1,498 1,666 1,729 1,745 1,757 1,761 2,025 2,211 2,252 2,410 2,500 2,750 2,907
-
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
-
10.000
20.000
30.000
40.000
50.000
60.000
70.000
80.000
Wright County Cities - 2026 Tax Rates
Tax Rate City Tax
Notes:
(*) Indicates a City has either an EDA or HRA Tax Levy in addition to the tax rate included above.
Tax Rate is Preliminary Tax Rate for Taxes Payable 2026.
City Tax Calculation Assumes Residential Value of $402,500 (Otsego median appraised value for taxes payable 2026).
2026 Wright County Tax Levies - Preliminary
Monticell
o (*)
Buffalo
(*)Otsego
St.
Michael
(*)
Dayton Albertvill
e Delano Hanover
(*)Rockford Montrose Cokato Annandal
e
Howard
Lake
Maple
Lake
Clearwat
er Waverly South
Haven
City Levy 15,337,0 12,860,3 11,105,5 9,761,90 9,538,06 6,237,57 5,735,73 2,687,45 2,644,98 2,465,26 2,197,99 1,980,86 1,958,42 1,914,35 1,739,76 1,461,08 191,062
Per Capita 992 765 467 449 880 728 762 612 547 630 780 568 874 862 782 654 1,044
-
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
-
2,000,000
4,000,000
6,000,000
8,000,000
10,000,000
12,000,000
14,000,000
16,000,000
18,000,000
Wright County Cities - 2026 Tax Levies
City Levy Per Capita
Notes:
(*) Indicates a City has either an EDA or HRA Tax Levy in addition to the tax rate included above.
Tax Levy is the Preliminary 2026 Tax Levy for each City.
Per Capita Tax Levy is Based on 2024 Population from the Minnesota State Demographer.
Capital Improvement Plan
35
•10-YEAR PLAN (2026 – 2035)
•THE CIP DOES NOT PROVIDE FINAL AUTHORITY
•City Council approves each item specifically before expenditures incurred.
•SNAPSHOT OF SOME 2026 PROJECTS
•Pavement Management: $2,634,738
•Parks and Trails: $1,819,799
•Vehicles and Equipment: $587,598
•City Facilities & Property: $143,753
•Fire Department: $4,249,897
•Water Utility: $15,649,389
•Sanitary Sewer Utility: $1,735,395
•Storm Water Utility: $28,000
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Public Input
CITY COUNCIL ACTION – PENDING DECEMBER 8, 2025
-ADOPT 2026 OPERATING BUDGETS
-SET FINAL TAX LEVY FOR PAYABLE 2026
-ADOPT THE 2026-2035 CIP
Questions:
CITY ADMINISTRATOR/FINANCE DIRECTOR – ADAM FLAHERTY
AFLAHERTY@OTSEGOMN.GOV
(763) 441-4414