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2004 PROPERTY TAX DATA
<br /> The League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) annually publishes die property tax data for all
<br /> municipalities. This information is traditionally published in the September Minnesota Cities
<br /> magazine. Tins information is also available on the League website at wunv.lmnc.org_
<br /> Attached for your information is some of the 2004 property tax data for a few communities
<br /> that can be compared to the City of Elk River. The attached list includes similar sized and
<br /> growing metropolitan communities, similar sized non-metropolitan cities, and a few
<br /> neighboring communities.
<br /> Elk River has a higher total tax rate than all 12 of the metropolitan communities listed in the
<br /> attachment. There are a few communities that have higher tax rates in each of the three
<br /> major categories: county, city, and school. However, the majority of cities have lower rates
<br /> than Elk River in each of these categories. In very general terms, the difference between the
<br /> majority of die cities listed and Elk River in the county category is about 23%, in the city
<br /> category is about 32%; and in the school category is about 43%. It should be noted that in
<br /> numerous communities you will see a low city tax rate combined with a high county tax rate
<br /> and vice versa; so there are some offsetting circumstances. Overall, in looking at the total
<br /> tax, rate the city is approximately l0% above the majority of the cities listed.
<br /> Regarding the non-metropolitan cities, Elk River is right in the middle of the pack. Six
<br /> communities have higher tax rates than Elk River and five communities have lower tax rates.
<br /> Regarding the local communities, Elk River is in a similar position as to Big Lake, Rogers,
<br /> and Zimmerman with the other communities, including Otsego and St. Michael, being
<br /> lower.
<br /> Population Update
<br /> The property tax data from LMC also includes 2003 population figures. These population
<br /> figures are the same as what comes from the Minnesota State Demographer and the
<br /> population estimate is as of April 1, 2003.
<br /> I yr 3 yr 2000-2003
<br /> 2000 Pop. 2002 2003 % change % change population
<br /> City (Census) Pop. Pop. ('02to '03) ('00to '03) change
<br /> Albertville 3,621 4,517 4,983 10.2 37.6 1,362
<br /> Becker 2,673 3,220 3,395 5.4 27 722
<br /> Big Lake 6,063 7,273 7,707 6 27.1 1,644
<br /> Buffalo 10,097 11,422 12,120 6.1 20 2,023
<br /> Otsego 6,389 8,210 9,356 14 46.4 2,967
<br /> Rogers 3,588 ! 5,010 5,580 11.4 55.5 1,992
<br /> Zimmerman 2,851 3,305 3,619 ' 9.5 26.9 768
<br /> Elk River 16,447 18,082 18,758 3.7 14.1 2,311 ,
<br /> Of all the cities listed above, Elk River grew by the lowest percentage over the past year
<br /> (April 2002 to April 2003) and over the past three years (April 2000 to April 2003). The City
<br /> of Otsego has increased its base population more than the City of Elk River. Also, Rogers
<br /> approached our total growth over the previous three years. When there is discussion
<br /> throughout the school district about rapidly growing communities and moderately growing
<br /> communities, I think it is safe to say the Elk River is in the moderate growth rate category.
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