The most recent Savage City News just discussed property taxes in Savage and how they will be affected by budgetary needs, levy decisions and property values. September is the deadline for the City to establish preliminary budgets for 2011 as required by state law, and this task has been completed. These tax levies can change when the budget is finalized in December, but can only do so if the adjustment is downward.
For now, figures for the City of Savage are not projected to be any higher than they were in 2010, unless a property's classification or value changed. Due to the changes in values (97% of residential market values in Savage have decreased) the City is striving to keep the property tax levy flat for 2011.
It is important to differentiate the differnece between the City's portion of a property tax owner's bill, vs. the total tax bill, which is also influenced by other government entities. Currently, the average tax breakdown for a home in Savage is:
School - 36%
City 34%
County - 24%
Special & Other - 6%
Owners are encourged to review market values on Scott County's website at www.co.scott.mn.us. Details about Savage's City budget can be found at www.CityofSavage.com. Furthermore, taxpayers will have an opportunity to comment on each entity's preliminary budgets and levies before they are finalized, at hearings during the following dates:
City of Savage - 7pm, Dec. 6
Scott County - 6pm, Dec. 2
Prior Lake - Savage Schools - 7pm, Dec. 13
Shakopee Schools - 7pm, Dec. 13
Burnsville - Eagan - Savage Schools - TBD