Stearns County Approves Budget Increase in 2022

Stearns County has approved $13 million in new spending and a 4.25% levy increase in property tax collections in its budget for 2022. The Stearns County Board of Commissioners passed a $177 million budget with $87 million coming from property taxpayers. The budget was approved on a 4-to-1 vote, with Commissioner Jeff Mergen voting against the proposal.

The $13 million in additional spending is 8.4% more than in 2021.
According to county officials, growth in the tax base is expected to be 4.8%. That’s more than the proposed 4.25% levy increase meaning, property owners who don’t see an increase in their property value won’t see an increase in the county’s property tax.

Officials say the increase in spending is due mainly to road construction projects. Stearns County is also adding four new staff, including a license center coordinator, sheriff’s deputy, 911 dispatcher and a highway engineer. The remaining budget increases are due to technology projects worth $5.5 million and election-year expenses of $1.35 million.

Stearns County collected nearly $10 million more in revenue in 2021. The revenues increases were primarily due to increases in federal, state and local government aid. A fund balance of $4.5 million was also used to offset expenses, with $1.8 million being set aside for future costs of a new jail.

According to Stearns County, a property with an unchanged valuation will see a reduction in property tax. Find more details on the budget at Stearns County’s website.

___