St. Cloud Holding Public Hearing on Proposed Tax Levy

(KNSI) – St. Cloud holds a public hearing to listen to residents tonight before setting the 2024 preliminary tax levy.

Mayor Dave Kleis presented the budget to the council and the public last month. Spending will bump to nearly $87.8 million. An almost 7% increase when compared to 2023. Kleis is proposing a 2024 tax levy of $39.4 million, an increase of about $4.3 million over this year’s levy. About 45% of the city’s government funds budget comes from property taxes, about 18% from local government aid approved by the Legislature and the rest from other sources.

City officials say the tax rate will remain unchanged despite increasing spending next year. The city is “capturing the growth” in the tax base, meaning your property taxes should only increase if your property valuation goes up. Officials estimate the tax base will grow by about 10% next year.

The funds will mainly go toward inflationary increases, and staff raises following a recent compensation study. The preliminary budget also includes a 30% increase in the park and recreation budget. The money comes from last year’s voter-approved referendum to invest $20 million into neighborhood parks and trails over the next three years. Officials estimate the tax will cost an average homeowner $58 a year in property taxes over the next 20 years.

The budget equates to $426 in spending per resident.

The mayor and other city staff held a bus tour on Saturday, where residents were encouraged to ask questions and give their two cents on the budget.

The meeting gets underway at 6:00 p.m. today.

See the budget breakdown here.

___