Do you have an idea on how to lower property taxes? County Commissioners want to

Anoka County taxpayers will soon get a final public chance to weigh in before the county sets its property tax levy.

The county’s Truth and Taxation meeting is set for Nov. 30 and is the last chance for public opinion before the levy is finalized.

Anoka County Commissioner Chair Scott Schulte said one person can have real influence at that meeting, even on the countywide levy. He said he has seen a single taxpayer help lower the entire levy by as much as half a percent.

What can one voice do?

“Well, that is in the eyes of the elected official…” Schulte said. “My opinion…every single voice counts…but the ones that take the time out of their day to show up at a truth and taxation meeting to voice their concern…they’re speaking for a lot of people…but they have the gumption to come and do it…show up at the meeting and speak…it carries a lot of weight…it carries a lot of weight.”

Schulte said that kind of change is rare because county leaders have already worked on the levy, but he said residents can still bring forward ideas officials may not have considered.

“It’s going to be hard for that to happen because, like I said, we’ve been working hard here trying to reduce our levy with really, really smart people,” Schulte said. “But that doesn’t mean we have the market on smart people, there are smart citizens out there that may have a great idea.”

Anoka County will finalize its levy shortly after the Truth and Taxation meeting on Nov. 30. Truth and Taxation meetings are set for late November or early December for most Minnesota counties.