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Kandiyohi County presents preliminary 2026 budget as residents decry rising property taxes
Summary
County staff presented a preliminary 2026 budget including a proposed county levy of about 7.1%; residents at the truth-in-taxation hearing said property taxes have doubled in recent years and urged commissioners to limit increases. Final levy adoption is scheduled for Dec. 16.
Kandiyohi County Administrator Kelsey Baker presented the county’s preliminary 2026 budget at a public truth‑in‑taxation hearing, outlining a proposed county levy increase of about 7.1% and several lower‑levy options that the board will consider before final adoption.
The presentation, delivered to the board and residents in attendance, listed payroll and wages, the county landfill, the county jail and road projects as the primary cost drivers. Baker said capital and quasi‑government requests totaled roughly $1.3 million in the capital improvement plan and that the board had discussed three levy scenarios: a preliminary 7.1% levy, an option at about 6.23% that would avoid additional reserve use, and a third option near 5.38% that would draw more on reserves. Baker said those options would be reviewed again at the board’s Dec. 16 meeting.
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