Olmsted County Approves Massive Project List, Property Tax Hike
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners concluded its 2023 meeting schedule with a flurry of activity Tuesday night.
The board passed the 2024 budget, which includes a property tax levy increase. The elected leaders also signed off on a list of projects that will lead the county to spend more than $500 million over the next five years.
Board Members greenlit the county's five-year $520 million Capital Improvement Plan which includes issuing $45 million in bonds next year to help finance various projects.
The capital spending plan for next year totals around $118 million, which includes $20 million for a new Solid Waste Material Recovery Facility, and another $11 million for the planned construction of a new interchange at the junction of Highway 14 and County Road 44 just west of Rochester.
The longer-range plans include $35 million for expanding court and law enforcement spaces at the government center by remodeling existing spaces in county facilities. Nearly 50% of the five-year CIP is dedicated to transportation projects, while county facility needs and upgrades to Graham Park account for nearly $150 million of the $520 million total.
The 2024 Olmsted County and Housing and Redevelopment Authority budget is $371,867,176. Next year’s budget will be supported by a 5.2% property tax levy increase, which brings the county’s tax levy to $125,692,356.
The board also authorized the county to collect a $1.4 million levy for library purposes and a $4.9 million levy to address housing needs in Olmsted County including homeless prevention and housing stability.
The commissioners also approved a resolution that sets the annual pay for the Olmsted County Attorney next year at a little over $207,000 and the Sheriff's salary at about $175,500.
The measure also raises the county commissioners annual salaries by about $5500 to just under $58,000. The commissioners also receive a $600 payment each month as a stipend to cover their in-county expenses.
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Gallery Credit: Samm Adams
