Olmsted County sets preliminary levy for 2026
September 17, 2025
At the September 16, 2025 Olmsted County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board certified the preliminary 2026 levy for Olmsted County and the Olmsted County Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA). The 2026 preliminary property tax levy for Olmsted County and the HRA combined totals $147,282,183. This will be funded with county and HRA property taxes of $141,713,639 and $5,568,544, respectively.
It's important to note that the preliminary levy is a maximum amount the board cannot exceed when it approves the final 2026 budget and levy on December 16, 2025. If the preliminary 2026 levy is approved in December, the county’s $141,713,639 property tax levy will be a 6.8% increase over 2025.
"We know any levy increase affects our residents, and we take that responsibility seriously," said Olmsted County Administrator Travis Gransee. "We will continue to meet state mandates and adjust to federal policy changes while staying as lean as possible. Our focus is on using public resources wisely and delivering high-quality services that improve life for everyone in our county."
Gransee noted that the board of commissioners reduced the Capital Improvement Plan but will move forward with three significant projects that will have a positive impact on the community:
- Construction of the exhibition center at Graham Park.
- Continued design and construction of the interchange at County State Aid Highway 44 and Trunk Highway 14.
- Construction of the materials recovery facility.
Olmsted County has also successfully pursued state or federal funds to support each of these projects toward completion.
Upcoming county budget meetings
There are a few upcoming public meetings related to the county’s 2025 budget.
- December 4, 2025 - 6 p.m.: Truth in Taxation public meeting.
- December 16, 2025 - 6 p.m.: Olmsted County commissioners adopt the final 2026 budget and levy.
Details about these public meetings are available on our Olmsted County website.
Upcoming 2026 budget communications
A press release will be distributed on December 16, 2025, providing details about Olmsted County’s final 2026 budget and levy. This communication will also provide a link to the 2026 Budget in Brief (an overview of the Olmsted County budget and assessed taxes by the county and other taxing entities. It will also feature examples of Olmsted County’s work to provide effective and efficient government using tax levy and other revenue).
To see the materials created for the county’s 2025 budget, view the resources available on the county’s budget webpage. This page will be updated with 2026 information on December 16.
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Media Contact: Emma Diercks, Communications Specialist, 507-328-6166