Area residents air concerns about property taxes

Nearly 40 people showed up at the Swift County Law Enforcement Center meeting room Saturday afternoon to tell legislators what they thought about local property taxes.
Clearly most of those at the meeting with questions for the legislators were farmers who have seen their property taxes soar along with the value of their land. Some asked if the Legislature could look more at valuing land based on the value of what it produced rather than on what it sold for.
Legislators had no definitive answers for farmers concerned about property taxes. They did say a piece of legislation has been introduced that would help lower real estate taxes for businesses.
Swift County Ag Land’s Share of Taxes
Ag Land All Property
Year Tax Capacity Tax Capacity % Ag land
2014 $20,160,689 $25,838,879 78.0 %
2013 $17,636,564 $22,369,913 78.8 %
2012 $13,284,120 $18,651,290 71.2 %
2011 $11,425,729 $16,664,406 68.6 %
Photo: Minnesota State Sen. Lyle Koenen, left, was joined by Rep. Steve Drazkowski, Rep. Tim Miller and Rep. Jerry Hertaus at a listening session on property taxes at the Swift County Law Enforcement Center meeting room Saturday afternoon.