Meeker County board approves 2025 budget and sets property tax levy at $17,415,860
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Summary
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners approved a 2025 annual budget and set the county property tax levy at $17,415,860, a 3.5% increase over 2024. County officials said the budget reflects larger road-and-bridge projects, a smaller capital projects outlay after a major remodel in 2024, and some capital support from the solid waste fund.
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a 2025 annual budget and set the county’s 2025 property tax levy at $17,415,860, a 3.5% increase from the 2024 levy.
County Administrator Andrew (county administrator) summarized the proposal to the board, saying the budget is a representation of planned revenues and expenses for 2025 and that it spreads spending across multiple funds that receive property tax, state and federal aid, fees for service and internal transfers. “The budget is a representation of the planned revenues and expenses, over 2025,” Andrew said during his presentation.
The administrator told the board that the proposed budget increases spending in the road-and-bridge fund because the county has more or higher-cost road projects in 2025 than in 2024. He also said the capital projects fund shows a decrease because the bulk of the courthouse remodel was budgeted in 2024 and only the tail end of that project remains in 2025. Finally, the administrator said the solid waste fund will support some courthouse capital needs, including resurfacing the courthouse parking lot and related expenses in the general fund.
Commissioners moved and seconded a resolution to approve the 2025 annual budget and to set the property tax levy. Commissioner Johnson made the motion; Commissioner Schmidt seconded. The board recorded aye votes from Commissioners Oberg, Bredesen, Johnson, Schmidt and Schiefelbein. The resolution carried.
Why it matters: the property tax levy funds county operations that include public safety, roads, human services and county administration. County leaders said the levy increase reflects a mix of locally planned projects and the limits of other revenue sources. Officials said a significant portion of the 2025 increase is tied to road work, though some road project costs will be offset by federal and state grants.
What’s next: county staff will publish the adopted budget documents and proceed with planned 2025 appropriations and projects under the adopted levy. The board did not announce additional actions tied to the resolution at the meeting.
Sources: presentation to the board by Andrew (county administrator); roll-call votes recorded at the meeting.
