Stearns County Eyes Up to 12% Budget Hike, Tax Rates Could Climb in 2026

(KNSI) – Stearns County property owners could see their tax rates jump next year after county departments requested nearly $109 million in funding, a 12.3% increase from this year’s $97 million budget.

County administrators are reviewing those requests and may trim the ask to $106 million, which would still mean a 9.5% spending increase. So what does that mean for taxpayers? Property values in Stearns County rose 5.6% in 2025. If county spending increases stay at or below 5.6%, tax rates could remain unchanged.

Property owners would still pay more in total taxes because their homes are worth more, but the rate they pay per dollar of home value would stay the same.

If spending increases go beyond 5.6%, as departments are requesting, tax rates will go up on top of higher property values.

Three departments are driving most of the increase. The sheriff’s office wants a 13% boost, $2.6 million more, to hire four new deputies and one lieutenant. The auditor treasurer is seeking 17% more funding, $1 million increase, the biggest percentage jump of any department.
Human Services is requesting 7% more, or $4.7 million, largely due to impacts from the state budget.

On August 12th, the Stearns County Board of Commissioners will discuss and possibly approve a preliminary budget. Once set, this number can only go down, not up.

The final budget will be adopted in December.

The county warned residents in May that budget decisions could significantly impact local property taxes.

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