Minnesota’s property tax system could look more like Wisconsin’s in the coming years

Wisconsin counties use county sales tax revenue to lower property tax levies, and some Minnesota county leaders say they could consider that option in the coming years.

Wisconsin counties are expected to bring in $800 million this year through county sales tax revenue, and they use that money solely to lower property tax levies. Minnesota counties are expected to see record-high property taxes this year.

“Yes, it can be used for health and human services mandates, it can be and it is,” Kevin Dospoy, director of Forward Analytics for the Wisconsin Counties Association, said.

“I do think in light of some of these unfunded mandates that are being passed by the legislature, a sales tax would be a good option,” Sherburne County Commissioner Andrew Hulse said.

Minnesota limits how counties can use that kind of revenue. Some counties, like Sherburne County, have an existing half-cent sales ta...