The City budget is more than just a list of dollars and cents. It reflects the values of the community. In Mendota Heights, the City budget reflects the City Council priorities to:
- Enhance City services
- Create a vision for development and redevelopment
- Conserve, protect and enhance natural resources
- Maintain and improve infrastructure
- Encourage and support park improvement opportunities
Planning for the City’s annual budget involves reviewing operational needs, community desires and available resources. Staff members work with the City Council to synthesize these into a responsible plan from which city services can be efficiently, effectively and responsibly delivered. Business owners, single family homeowners and multifamily housing residents all contribute to the tax levy, which encompasses the costs of providing City services including police, fire, snow plowing, park maintenance and more.
The City Council adopted a preliminary tax levy in September 2022. The preliminary levy is based on a draft budget and sets a cap on the city’s portion of your property taxes; this also provides an opportunity for members of the public to share feedback with the Council. The preliminary tax levy was reflected on property tax notices mailed to all Mendota Heights property owners.
The Council held a public hearing before their final vote to approve the levy on Dec. 6. Some notable public facing projects budgeted for 2023 are a new warming house at Wentworth Park and renovations to the Rogers Lake Skate Park as well as investments in shade tree plantings on public property, expanded native plantings and increased maintenance for existing city trees.
What does the budget increase mean for property taxes?
Your total property tax bill is made up of taxes for the City, Dakota County, School District and as well as from other agencies such as watershed districts. The 2023 property value for a median single-family home in Mendota Heights increased 17% from 2022 and is valued at $513,350. As a result, the estimated City property tax for that house in 2023 is $1,906, an increase of 6.91% or $124 compared to 2022.
The Mendota Heights budget reflects a balance of cost increases and community priorities with efficient operations, for a final total city budget of $18,510,591. The tax levy increased 6.72% compared to 2022. With this budget, the City continues its tradition of maintaining fiscal responsibility while providing the high-quality, personalized services that have come to be associated with a small-town feel and excellent quality of life in our community – making Mendota Heights a great place to live, work and play.
Final 2023 budget documents are available at MendotaHeightsMN.gov/Finance.