Dakota County homeowners could see their property taxes increase nearly 10% next year pending a final budget approval in December.
On Tuesday, Dakota County officials adopted a 2026 proposed maximum property tax levy of $184.2 million, up 9.9% from 2025.
“Given anticipated inflationary cost pressures, state and federal cost shifts and funding reductions, a tax levy in this amount is estimated to be needed,” according to county documents.
For a median-value single-family home in Dakota County with a market value of $385,000, the owner would see their taxes go up approximately 9.24%, or $66.11, to total $781.20 in 2026, according to the county.
“One of the things that I have spent my time in leadership focusing on is being able to have our property taxes at a predictable, sustainable level,” said County Commissioner Mary Hamann-Roland, who represents District 7, which includes Apple Valley.
“Our mission is now to create that predictable, sustainable level,” she said, adding that she believes the work is underway.
Last year, the county raised the tax levy 9.9% to $167.7 million. In 2025, that meant homeowners of a median-value single-family home saw their taxes go up roughly $40.
Future projections show the tax levy climbing 11.7% in 2027 for a total of $205.8 million. In 2028, estimates show an increase of 9.6%, totaling $225.5 million, according to the county.
In 2024, Dakota County claimed the lowest levy per capita in the state of Minnesota and the lowest property tax rate among the seven metropolitan counties.
For 2026, however, Dakota County is on the higher end of preliminary levy increases for the metro area at 9.9%. This year, Anoka County is at 9.9%, Ramsey County is at 9.75%, Hennepin County is at 7.79% and Washington County is at 6.95%, according to Dakota County documents.
Additional levies
Although there more than two months until the county’s budget will be finalized, Dakota County residents should prepare as other levies are decided.
The city of Eagan, for example, approved a preliminary 2026 tax levy increase of 8.9% earlier this month. The city’s 2026 General Fund budget of $59.5 million represents an 8% increase or about $4.39 million over 2025, according to city documents.
For owners of an average value home in Eagan of $426,272, they will see their 2026 property taxes increase 9.6%, or $140, to $1,594 compared to $1,454 last year.
Independent School District 196, which includes Rosemount, Apple Valley and Eagan schools, is asking voters to renew and increase its technology capital projects levy. Currently at 3.015%, if the levy is renewed and increased to 5.015%, homeowners of a roughly $400,000 home will see an $85 increase in their property taxes, according to the district.
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Hypothetically, if each levy were to pass and remain unchanged from the time of this reporting, Eagan residents who own a $400,000 home could see a property tax increase of about $291 between county, city, and school district levies.
The county’s Truth in Taxation hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the Dakota County Administration Center, located at 1590 Minnesota 55 in Hastings.
The final approval and adoption of the 2026 budget is expected to take place at the Dec. 16 Board of Commissioners meeting.
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