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Woodbury County officials explain required ‘maximum tax’ mailer and stress intent to keep levy stable
Summary
Budget director Ryan Erickson and Auditor-Recorder Michelle Scaff explained the state-required maximum-tax mailer residents will receive; Erickson said the computed maximum levy would be 2.79387 but the board expects to keep the levy near current levels and use reserves to smooth any increases.
Ryan Erickson, Woodbury County budget director, and Michelle Scaff, county auditor-recorder, explained the 'maximum tax' mailer that will be sent to property owners and walked residents through how assessments, the state rollback and local levy interact.
Erickson said the county's computed maximum levy for the mailer would be 2.79387 and cautioned that the mailer shows the legal maximum rather than a final adopted rate. He noted mailer examples can show a large percentage change for rural-basic services if the board were to adopt the absolute maximum; Erickson said that scenario could show a nearly 20–22% increase in rural basic figures, though the board typically keeps levies steady.
Michelle Scaff described the mailer's schedule, the upcoming primary election (June 2) and a county plan to expand cross-training and add a real-estate deputy in the auditor's office to streamline property and tax processes. Tina Bertrand, county treasurer, added that the treasurer's office moves roughly $36,000,000 a year for the state and retains about 3 percent to support county services.
Supervisors said the county has targeted roughly 20 percent reserves and will likely use a portion of reserves to avoid large, abrupt levy increases while meeting infrastructure and service needs. The board asked residents to attend upcoming public hearings listed on the mailer and to contact supervisors with questions about assessments or proposed rates.
