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St. James presents proposed 2025 levy; resident says his property taxes rose 35%
Summary
City staff presented a proposed $1,532,250 levy and a preliminary $5.3 million general fund budget at a Dec. 3 Truth in Taxation hearing; staff said the preliminary levy rate will be set at about 4.98% while a resident said his taxes rose 35% and was advised to consult the county assessor about valuation.
Amanda, the city presenter, opened the Truth in Taxation public hearing on Dec. 3, 2024, saying the session was to discuss the proposed 2025 general fund budget and property tax levy and to take public comment. "This is the Truth and Taxation public hearing where we discuss proposed tax levy for our upcoming year of 2025," she said.
City staff described a proposed levy amount of about $1,532,250 and a preliminary general fund budget of roughly $5.3 million. Amanda said the city originally proposed a levy rate in the mid-6% range for comparability with nearby cities but was able to reduce the rate to about 4.98%. She listed revenue sources as taxes, licenses and permits, state and federal aid, charges and fines, interest and rent, donations, sales and other transfers; spending categories included general government, public safety, streets/public works, parks and the library. Staff also noted a roughly $100,000 increase in the general fund levy, a decrease in debt service after retiring two debt items, and a new $20,000 housing-demolition levy.
During public comment, Mark Hagen, a lifelong St. James resident, said his property tax bill rose 35% and that, he believed, his taxes have doubled since 2020. "My taxes went up 35% ... since 2020 my taxes have gone up 100%," he said. Hagen said neighbors on his block saw much smaller increases and pressed city officials for an explanation. City staff responded that the city’s levy change is only one component of a taxpayer’s bill and that property valuations are set by the county assessor. Staff advised Hagen to bring valuation questions to the county assessor’s office and said the county used market comps and permit records in a recent reassessment that raised values for many homes in St. James.
The hearing included a reminder that the city must certify its final payable-2025 property tax levy to the county auditor by Dec. 29, 2024. After listening to public comment and questions, a member moved to close the hearing and Council member Kathleen seconded; the Chair called the voice vote and declared the Truth in Taxation hearing closed at 6 p.m.
Next steps: the city will finalize its levy figures for certification to the county auditor by the Dec. 29 deadline; residents with valuation questions were directed to the county assessor’s office.
