McLeod County’s 2019 property tax levy was set at $22.6 million during the County Board’s final meeting of the year Thursday morning.
The 7.1 percent increase for the county’s portion of taxes levied from property owners reflects a change from $21.1 million to $22.6 million.
Because of a shift in property values, county residents may notice more of a shift in tax burden to residential properties. In past years, agriculture properties saw a larger share of the burden.
Among the major factors contributing to the increase is a 3 percent compensation increase to union and non-union employees. Insurance costs are estimated to increase by $181,753.
A reconstruction project on County Road 3 for grading and paving adds a cost of $2.2 million.
Noted in previous meetings were requests to increase staff from county departments, notably the attorney’s office, social services, sheriff’s office and jail. Increased demand on the county to address drug and alcohol abuse and out-of-home placement needs for children were named as major factors in requests from the attorney’s office and social services.
