Budget

Dive into the numbers

You can view, filter, and analyze revenue, expense, and balance sheet financial data from fiscal year 2016 to current year, including annual tax revenues, personnel costs, monthly operating expenses, and overtime costs. You can download and share the data, too.

Financial transparency portal

Matching our tax dollars to our goals and values

The City Council and city staff worked over six months developing the budget. We continue to prioritize funding in our strategic plan.

City priorities

Economic vitality
Housing availability
Quality facilities
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Service excellence
Climate action

View the city's strategic plan

Bond rating

Just like a credit score for personal loans, a city bond rating provides lower interest rates when borrowing money for things like street reconstruction and remodeling of the fire station.

The City of Northfield is fortunate to have a “AA” bond rating from Standard and Poors based on factors such as our economy, debt load, financial performance, governance and management practices.

Property taxes

City taxes are about 35% of property taxes in Northfield. The remainder is made up of taxes from the county and school districts, 23% and 42% respectively.

Property tax refund

If you're a Minnesota homeowner or renter, you may qualify for a Property Tax Refund. The refund provides property tax relief depending on your income and property taxes.

This is through the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Tax levy

The City Council annually approves a tax levy amount for the entire community that is needed to provide city services. This amount is then divided among all taxpayers in the community based on their property values. Property values are determined by the county and tax rates are set by the State of Minnesota.

Year	Tax levy (total dollars)
2022	$11,852,323
2021	$10,618,336
2020	$10,239,167
2019	$9,357,257
2018	$8,921,812
2017	$8,260,937
2016	$8,099,194

Current levy rate

The Council is recommending a 11.6% levy rate increase for 2022. Despite the total levy increasing, the City property tax rate is less than it was five years ago.

Low city taxes compared to similar cities

When compared to similar cities, Northfield has one of the lowest total property taxes to fund city services.

(Cities shown from left to right: New Hope, West St. Paul, Hastings, Stillwater, Owatonna, Crystal, South St. Paul, Columbia Heights, Elk River, Forest Lake, Northfield, New Brighton, Faribault, White Bear Lake)

Increased investments

For the typical household, this means for an extra $6.50 a month, you’ll get:

Horticulturalist

To plant and maintain all of the flowers and landscapes beds in downtown and in the parks.

Civil engineer

To help manage $34 million in planned street and utility projects and to oversee the enhancements to the riverfront parks.

Assistant city planner

To focus on ensuring a healthy downtown and assist in reviewing development plans.

Economic development associate

To help attract new businesses to offset the tax burden on residents.

Police officer

To meet call demands at peak time and allow the department to have more proactive, positive contacts with community.

Northfield Public Broadcasting station manager

To help keep community members informed on what’s going on in the city.

Spanish translator

To ensure the city is serving all of its community members.

Core city services

General government

Administrative services
Business development
Housing
Elections
Permits

Culture & Recreation

Library
Parks, ice rink and pool
FiftyNorth senior center
Recreation

Public Safety

Police
Fire and Rescue
Emergency management
Building inspections

Public Works

Street repair and construction
Snow plowing
Drinking, storm and waste water
Garbage, recycling and yard waste
City buildings

Budget development timeline

Initial budget development

June - Past year's independent financial audit complete and presented to Council
July - Council budget meeting
August - Council budget meeting

Council reviews budgets

September - Council adopts preliminary budget, maximum tax levy and next year’s utility rates

Council prioritizes services and adjusts budget

October - Council budget meeting
November - Council budget meeting
December - Presentation and public input; Council adopts final budget and levy

Council presentation and adoption of budget

Budget presentation to Council on December 7, 2021 (PDF)

More information

Pay your property tax - Dakota County

Pay your property tax - Rice County

Dakota County Assessor's Office

Rice County Assessor's Office