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Minnehaha County auditors present levy forecast and opt-out strategy as commissioners weigh capacity resolution
Summary
County auditors told commissioners the 2026 levy is preliminarily estimated at about $2.935 per $1,000 and presented a five-year forecast that layers smaller opt-outs to avoid a large future spike; staff recommended not levying new opt-outs for 2026 but asked whether the commission wants to pass a $1.5 million opt-out capacity resolution by the July 15 statutory deadline.
Minnehaha County auditors presented a preliminary 2026 property-tax levy and long-range forecast Tuesday, urging commissioners to consider small, layered opt-outs rather than a single large levy to cover rising public-safety and justice costs.
Susan Beeman of the auditor's office told the Board of Commissioners the county's three primary levies (general, building and bond redemption) currently estimate to about $2.935 per $1,000 of assessed value, down slightly from 2.97 in 2025. Using a $300,000 example home, she showed the levy and valuation changes would translate to roughly a $32 increase under current assumptions.
Beeman said the highway fund and large multiyear projects drive year-to-year variation, noting the highway fund ended 2024 with a cash reserve of just…
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