Southeast Minnesota County Tax Levies Rise Nearly $26M

Property tax statements reflect a 7% increase in combined county tax levies across the region.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:20pm

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An abstract geometric illustration using bold shapes and primary colors to conceptually depict the 7% increase in combined county property tax levies across southeast Minnesota.A visual representation of the rising property tax burden facing southeast Minnesota residents and communities.Wabasha Today

According to a review by KTTC, the combined county tax levies in southeast Minnesota rose by nearly $26 million, or over 7%, in 2026 compared to the previous year. The increases varied by county, with Mower County seeing the highest percent change at over 12% and Steele County having the lowest at 4.6%. These county-level increases, approved by local commissioners, are part of a broader statewide trend that saw Minnesota's total property tax levies rise about 7% to over $13.7 billion.

Why it matters

Rising property taxes can impact household budgets and put pressure on local governments to balance service needs with affordability concerns. The variations across counties also highlight how economic and demographic factors can drive differing tax levy decisions by county commissioners.

The details

The KTTC review looked at the 10 Minnesota counties in its viewing area - Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha and Winona. The total combined county tax levy for these counties rose from around $353 million in 2025 to nearly $379 million in 2026, an increase of almost $26 million. This includes a 12.2% increase in Mower County, where the owner of a $225,000 home will see county taxes rise by about $35. Mower County's administrator cited the need to cover increased costs of doing business and avoid dipping into reserve funds as reasons for the higher levy.

  • Property tax statements reflecting the 2026 certified levies were issued in April 2026.
  • The 2025 total combined county tax levy for the 10-county region was close to $353 million.
  • The 2026 total combined county tax levy for the 10-county region is nearly $379 million.

The players

Matthew Verdick

Mower County Administrator

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What they’re saying

“Individual tax changes also depend on market-driven property values and the combined impact of multiple taxing jurisdictions, not just the county levy.”

— Matthew Verdick, Mower County Administrator

What’s next

The Minnesota Department of Revenue will continue to monitor and report on statewide property tax levy trends.

The takeaway

Rising property taxes are a concern for many households, but the variations across counties highlight how local economic and budgetary factors shape the tax levy decisions made by county commissioners to fund government services.