Carver County adopted a tax levy for 2025 designed to continue the quality of life residents expect.

Carver County adopted a 6.8 percent tax levy, based on final recommendation, on December 3, 2024. This represents a 2.4 percent, or $34 annual, tax increase for the average county home value of roughly $471,900. Annual tax increases are be higher or lower based on a taxpayer’s home value.

“There are no significant changes from past years with the County Board continuing to ensure our services are provided as cost effectively as possible,” said Dave Hemze, Carver County administrator.

Reasons for the increase

Several factors led to the tax levy increase, including:

• Maintaining competitive wages and benefits, to recruit and retain staffing levels as the job market remains competitive;
• Upholding existing county service levels; and 
• Continued high operating costs, despite decreasing inflationary pressure.  

“Citizens will see a benefit in a continued high level and quality of services such as parks, license centers, libraries and public safety to name a few,” Hemze said.

Anyone looking to see where these increased taxes are being allocated can look to county highways, Hemze noted. Road expansion projects and safety improvements to Highway 212 and Highway 5 are already in the works, among others.

Looking to 2026

While this tax year is still fresh, plans for the next one will kick off soon. 

Carver County staff will begin the 2026 budget process this spring, and it is expected the next public meeting to discuss the 2026 budget and levy will be sometime between late May and early June, based on past years.

The board received a few comments from the public at the 2025 Budget Public Hearing that total property taxes (county, city and school) were higher than they could afford; however, county staff reported that they generally did not receive a lot of public feedback on the 2025 budget and levy.

Residents are welcome to provide any feedback by reaching out to the county’s Property & Finance Director Dave Frischmon, as well as attend any County Board meetings. Those who cannot attend the live meetings can access recordings online and provide their comments via email.

“This input is critical and can directly impact Board final decisions,” said Hemze. 

To stay up-to-date on 2026 budget plans and myriad other county issues, residents are encouraged to sign up for the county newsletter.