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Committee hears bill to set local government aid value for newly incorporated city of Baldwin
Summary
The Minnesota House Tax Committee heard House File 1016 to establish the local government aid (LGA) valuation for the city of Baldwin, incorporated in 2024. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill after author and League of Minnesota Cities testimony emphasizing the role of LGA.
The House Tax Committee heard House File 1016 on Oct. 27, 2025, a bill to set a base valuation for local government aid for the newly incorporated city of Baldwin in Sherburne County.
Representative Brian Lawrence, the bill author, told the committee, “My name is Brian Lawrence and I am bringing before you House File 1016,” and explained Baldwin was incorporated in the summer of 2024, has about 7,200 residents and 83 miles of road. He said the city’s incorporation did not itself establish the LGA value and the bill seeks to set that value so Baldwin may receive state aid.
Beth Johnston of the League of Minnesota Cities testified in support, saying LGA “is critical to ensuring local governments, like the city of Baldwin, are able to provide basic services and infrastructure without an overreliance on the property tax system.” Johnston highlighted rising costs, aging infrastructure and federal funding uncertainty as pressures on cities statewide.
No department testimony was offered during the hearing. Representative Lawrence asked for committee support as Baldwin begins operating as a city; the committee chair moved that House File 1016 as amended be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.
The motion to lay over was approved by voice vote.
The committee did not adopt any additional policy changes during the hearing; the bill was advanced for further consideration in omnibus negotiations.
