Ramsey County is poised to increase its property tax levy by 9.75% for taxes payable in 2026 and residents can learn more and give input on the proposed budget at a truth in taxation hearing Thursday.
The proposed budget totals $929.25 million in 2026 — a 6.57% increase from the 2025 supplemental budget of $848.5 million. The 2027 proposed budget of $968.45 million is a 4.22% increase from 2026.
The county develops a main budget for the coming year and then a supplemental one for the year after.
About 46% of the county’s proposed budget is funded through property taxes and county officials have cited rising costs, limited revenue growth, increasing demand for services, as well as uncertainty on the federal and state level as budget pressures.
What’s driving the increase?
The biggest drivers of expenses in the county are unfunded state mandates, employee compensation and core services, according to County Manager Ling Becker.
Ramsey also has limited opportunity for property tax base growth compared to some other counties, according to Matt Hilgart, a lobbyist with the Association of Minnesota Counties. It also has high social services costs.
The rest of the county’s budget comes from intergovernmental revenues, charges for services and other sources. The county raised the tax levy 4.75% in 2025, 6.8% in 2024 and 4.5% in 2023.
The average tax increase on a residential median-value home is estimated at a 4.4% increase, or $22 per month according to county officials. The estimated median home value in St. Paul for 2026 is $289,200. The estimated median-value home in Ramsey County for 2026 is $394,700 and the county portion of the average homeowner’s property tax bill would be $1,951.
Based on the proposed tax levy approved by the board in September, Ramsey County would have a total tax levy of $434,565,563. It would have a total operating budget of $929,256,728. Commissioners are expected to set the final levy on Dec. 16 and could reduce the overall levy and operating budget. The proposed levy could not be increased.
How does Ramsey County compare to other metro counties?
Statewide, counties are proposing to raise their levies by an average of 8.1% for this coming year, according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue. That’s an increase from previous years when the average generally was around 5% to 6%. Cities are raising levies by a projected average maximum of 8.7% and schools by a projected average maximum of 5.8%.
A levy increase doesn’t necessarily mean each property’s tax bill will go up by that percentage. New developments in communities, such as businesses or homes, for example, can offset some of a levy’s effect on tax bills. Other factors such as property valuation also play a role in final property taxes.
While some counties, such as Anoka County, have already approved their 2026 property tax levy increase, most will vote on their budgets and levy Dec. 16.
Estimated price of a median-value home for 2026
• Anoka: $338,800.
• Dakota: $384,800.
• Hennepin: $400,900.
• Ramsey: $394,700.
• Washington: $420,900.
Proposed or approved tax levy increases by percentage for 2026
• Anoka: 9.4% (down from a preliminary 9.9% figure).
• Dakota: 9.9%.
• Hennepin: 7.79%.
• Ramsey: 9.75%.
• Washington: 6.95%.
County portion of property taxes for the owner of a median-value home in 2026
• Anoka: $1,023.
• Dakota: $784.
• Hennepin: $1,530.
• Ramsey: $1,951.
• Washington: $1,020.
How the levy process works
Local governments are required to adopt a proposed levy in September for the upcoming year. That includes cities with a population of more than 500 residents, counties, school districts, the Metropolitan Council, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District and certain fire protection and emergency medical services special taxing districts and regional library authorities.
The final adopted levy may not exceed the proposed levy, except in cases of levies approved by voters in referendum elections. Local governments are required to hold a public meeting on their budget and taxes after notices to residents are sent out and before the final levy can be adopted.
Other levies
Meanwhile, the total proposed levy for taxes payable in 2026 for St. Paul Public Schools is expected to be certified by the district board Dec. 16 at their regular meeting. With a special levy increase approved by voters in November, the proposed tax levy is now $253.73 million or 14.89% more than the previous year. The owner of a median-value home of $289,200 in St. Paul would see a $291 per year property tax increase — around $24 a month.
The St. Paul city council last week adopted the city’s 2026 spending plan, including a 5.3% property tax levy. For a median-value St. Paul home of $289,000, the levy will add an estimated $107 to property taxes next year, depending on factors such as neighborhood and property type.
How to learn more
The Ramsey County truth in taxation hearing will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday in the St. Paul City Hall–Ramsey County Courthouse council chambers on the third floor of 15 W. Kellogg Blvd in St. Paul. The meeting also will be live-streamed.
To learn more about Ramsey County’s proposed budget, go to ramseycounty.us/your-government/budget-finance
To learn more about eligibility for property tax relief, visit revenue.state.mn.us/property-tax-refund.
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