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Scott County assessor outlines 2026 property assessment, warns of state review if ratios fall outside 90–105%
Summary
Scott County Assessor Michael Thompson briefed the Shakopee City Council on the 2026 property assessment process, noting the county study period, appeal options and that Shakopee’s average residential change was about a 3% increase; he warned state board orders can adjust values after the county process if the Department of Revenue ratios fall outside 90–105%.
Michael Thompson, Scott County Assessor, told the Shakopee City Council on April 21 that the county mailed about 60,000 assessment notices earlier this year and used sales from an October 2023–September 2025 study period to set 2026 values.
Thompson said interest‑rate changes have affected affordability but not the county’s valuation method, which relies on sales. He presented an illustrative example that an average Scott County house at today’s roughly 6% mortgage rate would carry an estimated monthly payment of about $3,390, up sharply from recent years. He said the county’s median residential value for Shakopee rose about 3% for the assessment year, with neighborhood and housing‑type variation.
Thompson walked the council through the Department of Revenue’s level‑of‑assessment test, which aims for a 90–105% ratio of assessed value to sale price, and the county’s internal “going‑in” and final ratio calculations. He cautioned that if an area misses that range the state may issue a board order that can increase or decrease values across a jurisdiction, and the only practical remedy after a state order is tax court.
On remedies and next steps, Thompson urged residents to review the green notice included in the mailing, contact the appraiser listed for their property and use tools on the county GIS to view comparable sales. He described the informal appeal options (call the assessor’s office), an open‑book meeting on May 6 with in‑person appraisers, and the County Board of Appeals in June. He reminded the public that tax court remains an option but is time‑consuming and costly.
Council members asked about the Department of Revenue study rules and whether they had changed; Thompson said the basic requirements (number of sales, time frame and level of assessment) remain the same. He also explained how the county treats new construction, apartment sale buckets, and unqualified or distress sales that are excluded from the study.
The presentation concluded with staff direction on how to request an inspection or follow up and an invitation for residents to use the county’s online tools and e‑notice options.
