Ramsey County opens 2026 budget hearing; officials explain statewide changes to tax notices under House Bill 1176

The Ramsey County Commission opened a public hearing on the 2026 budget and used the forum to explain a recent state law change — House Bill 1176 — that alters how property tax notices will be presented to taxpayers.

County staff and commissioners told residents HB 1176 eliminated the earlier itemized estimated tax statement that showed the distribution of tax dollars between county, school district, township and other levies. Under the new process, residents will receive a notice showing their total tax amount rather than the prior breakdown by taxing entity. County officials said the change was made by the state legislature and the county must follow state law.

Commissioners also discussed how the county’s local 3% cap on tax increases interacts with certain levies that are exempt from the cap — for example, Garrison Diversion, state medical school levies and bond debt levies for school construction. Staff warned that those levies can cause a taxpayer’s total increase to exceed 3% even where the county’s portion is capped.

During the hearing, a resident asked how to dispute an assessment. Staff described the existing appeals process: first the township equalization meeting, then the county equalization meeting and, if unresolved, the state equalization board. Staff said those appeal steps remain available under HB 1176 even though the matrix breakdown will no longer be mailed in the same format.

No policy change to Ramsey County’s budget was adopted at the hearing; the hearing provided the statutorily required public forum and the commission later closed the hearing and resumed regular business.