Area Business Tax Rates

Thought it would be good to show what the business property taxes paid on the same $200,000 in property value that I used for residential properties.


City----------City Business Tax---Total Business Tax

Cambridge-----$2,061-------------$5,751

East Bethel----$1,029-------------$4,669

Isanti----------$2103-------------$5,800

North Branch---$1,231------------$5,710

Princeton-------$1,991------------$6,274

St. Francis------$1,196-------------$4,877

It is important to show how property taxes impact businesses because they pay such a higher rate. Most numbers you will see talk about person's homesteaded house.

Isanti's tax rate cost a business nearly $1,200 more per $200,000 in value than East Bethel and over $1,000 more than St. Francis.

We had our first budget work session last night and again I am disappointed by a couple Council Members that seem to be eager to increase City spending. The idea that we take last years budget and simply add more money without asking if we need to spend more or if we can afford to spend more no longer works. The budget that was passed in 2006 for 2007 had a 20% spending increase. We can not use that as our spending floor and simply pile on more money.

My 2008 budget that passed on a 3-2 preliminary vote last fall cut spending and taxes. This is the model we need to follow.