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10 <br /> <br />Lake Elmo remained low compared to tax rates of other Washington County cities in 2024. Ranked at 21 <br />out of 27 Washington County cities, it is in the lowest quartile among cities, and in the bottom half if also <br />considering townships. <br /> <br />Rank Taxing Authority 2024 (%) Rank Taxing Authority 2024 (%) Rank Taxing Authority 2024 (%) <br />1 Hastings 55.23 10 Saint Paul Park 37.35 19 Scandia 26.70 <br />2 Oak Park Heights 49.50 11 Hugo 36.52 20 Birchwood 24.71 <br />3 Willernie 48.03 12 Mahtomedi 33.94 21 Lake Elmo 24.63 <br />4 Marine on St. Croix 47.85 13 Cottage Grove 32.91 22 Afton 23.53 <br />5 Landfall 47.77 14 Lake St. Croix Beach 30.79 23 Lakeland Shores 19.66 <br />6 Stillwater 47.09 15 Lakeland 30.36 24 Saint Mary's Point 17.07 <br />7 Newport 46.20 16 Bayport 27.73 25 Dellwood 16.36 <br />8 Oakdale 38.13 17 Woodbury 27.60 26 Grant 10.33 <br />9 Forest Lake 37.62 18 White Bear Lake 27.32 27 Pine Springs 7.77 <br /> <br />When removing some of the smallest cities and largest cities, Lake Elmo has the 9th lowest tax rate out of <br />the 10 cities that are closest in population. <br /> <br /> <br />City tax rates and levies vary drastically due to a number of reasons. It may be the level of service they <br />provide; for instance, they may have full-time Fire, Police or Ambulance. They may have debt related to <br />buildings or infrastructure - or not - and they may be levying for future needs - or not. So, while tax rate is <br />a helpful comparison, it is only a single perspective and should be looked at in terms of what services are <br />provided, as well as the tax capacity of the city. <br /> <br />Process for This Evening <br /> <br />For this evening; <br />1) Staff will present the draft levy and budget highlights. <br />2) Staff will take any necessary questions from Council. <br />3) Council should approve the attached Resolution, making changes as they see fit. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDED MOTION <br /> <br />Motion to Approve Resolution 2024-099 Approving 2025 Preliminary General Fund Budget, 2025 <br />Preliminary Property Tax Levy, and Setting Public Hearing Date for the 2025 Budget and 2025 Property <br />Tax Levy for Tuesday December 17, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS <br />1) Resolution 2024-099 <br />2) 2025 Proposed Master Budget Worksheet – All Budgets <br />3) Tax Levy & Tax Base History <br />0 <br />10 <br />20 <br />30 <br />40 <br />50 <br />60 <br />Oak Park <br />Heights <br />Stillwater Newport Forest Lake Saint Paul <br />Park <br />Hugo Mahtomedi Scandia Lake Elmo Grant <br />2024 Tax Rates (%) <br />Washington County Cities most similar in Population