SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The St. Paul City Council will vote Wednesday on the 2024 budget, which totals more than $820 million and includes a proposed property tax levy increase of up to 3.7%.
Ahead of that vote, the city on Tuesday held a Truth in Taxation hearing, where the public had an opportunity to provide input on the budget document. Nicole Fierce, who bought a home on the East Side last year, said the combination of city, county, Metropolitan Council and school district taxes will increase her property tax bill by hundreds of dollars in 2024.
In total, Fierce's proposed tax bill shows an overall hike of roughly 25%, due to Ramsey County's assessment of her home jumping by nearly $50,000 next year.
"I'm a single-income household. It's just me. It's too much for me to bear," she insisted, "and I think it's unreasonable."
Last year, the St. Paul City Council approved a much larger property tax levy increase of nearly 15%. Earlier this month, voters also approved a 1% sales tax hike to pay for roads and parks.
Given this tax climate, Council President Amy Brendmoen said her colleagues were especially mindful of the property tax burden in 2024. Even with a 3.7% increase on the table, the city says its share of property taxes will decrease by $26 next year for the median homeowner, due to a shift in values across Ramsey County.
The St. Paul Area Chamber thanked council members for the tax levy proposal last week, writing that after "a significant property tax increase in 2023 and a year of inflationary pressures, this modest levy increase is a welcome reprieve for businesses and residents alike."
"We really wanted it to be as low as possible, especially with our sales tax initiative on the ballot," Brendmoen said. "Just know this council has spent the last three-and-a-half months combing over every piece of the budget to try to fund what we know are people's priorities without adding to the property tax load."
During Tuesday night's public hearing, which lasted less than an hour, the city offered a short presentation about the 2024 budget and heard comments from three speakers, including Nicole Fierce. She told the council that she's considering selling her home because of her property tax increase.
The city said that anyone who believes their home has been valued too high can appeal to the Ramsey County Assessor.
Fierce said she'll appeal her assessment, and she also said she plans to attend a budget meeting in Ramsey County on Wednesday night.
"I can't handle it. It's not okay," Fierce said. "It's not acceptable."
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