On Sept. 22, the Washington County Board of Commissioners set the preliminary property tax levy and approved the proposed 2027 budget, which maintains core services, invests in long-term infrastructure, and responds to rising costs and state-mandated program changes.
State law allows the board to lower the levy before final adoption in December but not raise it. The certified preliminary property tax levy payable in 2027 is $160.7 million. The board also set a preliminary levy for the Regional Rail Authority at $660,000 and the Land and Water Legacy Program at $1.3 million.
The preliminary levy represents a 7.9% increase over 2026. Federal and state cost shifts for mandated programs are significantly affecting the proposed 2027 budget. These cost shifts totaling $2.56 million make up about one-third of the levy increase. The cost shifts were made to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Minnesota African American Family Preservation Act, and Long Term Services and Support (LTSS), along with state grant reductions
The preliminary levy does not result in large tax-rate changes due to modestly increasing property values and a slight downtick in new construction. As a result, the county’s tax rate will increase slightly from 24.4% to 25.5%. Since 2020, Washington County’s tax rate has remained below the metro-area average.
Washington County has the third-lowest levy per capita in Minnesota and the second-lowest tax rate in the seven county metro area. A similarly valued property would be taxed at a higher rate in every other metropolitan county except Dakota.
Under the preliminary levy, the owner of a median-valued home ($430,600) that had a median increase in value (1.3%) would see an estimated $60 increase in the county portion of property taxes in 2027, or a 5.8% increase from 2026. This estimate is lower than the July forecast, which projected a $67 increase, or a 6.5% rise.
The board also adopted the proposed 2027 budget. The budget funds mandated and core services that directly support residents and the community. Rising costs of goods and services, federal and state cost shifts, ongoing technology needs, and planned capital investments in county facilities and infrastructure are impacting the 2027 budget. The 2027 budget prioritizes current obligations to residents and employees and does not add new programs. The budget maintains the county’s longstanding ratio of about five employees per 1,000 residents.
The proposed 2027 budget includes expenditures of:
 • $315,851,100 in operating expenses.
 • $190,046,400 in capital investments.
 • $18,104,400 in debt service.
The budget includes $39 million for long‑term capital investments, including construction at Park Grove and R.H. Stafford Libraries, improvements at the South Environmental Center, and fire‑safety upgrades at the Government Center. Road and bridge funding increases to $143 million in 2027, with investments in the Public Works South Shop, the use of state and federal grants for major road investments, and increased allocations of the county’s transportation sales tax to road projects. The budget also allocates $6 million for park projects such as the Hardwood Creek Trail extension, the Lake Elmo Park Reserve single-track trail, and capital project planning.
The difference between levy revenue and total budget needs will be covered by other sources, including County Program Aid from the state, which is estimated to increase by $1.1 million in 2027. This state funding helps reduce local property taxes while supporting county services.
The proposed budget was first presented to the County Board on Aug. 4 during a public workshop. Additional departmental budget workshops were held through Sept. 1. All budget presentations are available on the county website. Archived livestreamed meetings are available on the county website at WashingtonCountyMN.gov/CountyBoard. Budget documents presented at the workshops may be found at WashingtonCountyMN.gov/budget.
The board will follow a budget calendar through early December, which will include:
• Oct. 13: Review the county’s five-year capital improvement plan.
• Nov. 17: Conduct a public hearing on the five-year capital improvement plan.
• Dec. 1: Conduct a public hearing on the proposed 2027 budget and levy; the public hearing will occur at 6 p.m.
• Dec. 17: Adopt a budget and property tax levy for 2027, and the capital improvement plan.
Beyond the 2027 budget and levy, commissioners also turned to community development programs, approving the 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) Sept. 22. Presented by the Community Development Agency (CDA), the report will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The CAPER details Washington County’s progress toward meeting the goals outlined in Washington County’s 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and projects undertaken with 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) program funds.
The CAPER communicates to HUD and policymakers how funds are spent and the impact the programs make in the community.
Washington County’s Program Year 2025 accomplishments included:
• Washington County Home Improvement Loan Program assisted 10 households in making necessary repairs to their homes, and another six households closed on their loans and will draw funds in the next program year ($317,595.80 CDBG).
• Two Rivers Community Land Trust closed out the retainage for three of their properties and acquired one single-family home in Washington County in the 2025 program year. Two Rivers also sold 10 homes in its portfolio previously acquired through the program to income-eligible homebuyers ($22,029.78 CDBG and $273,876.11 HOME).
• Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity closed out the final retainage for one home in the 2025 program year ($1,500 CDBG).
• Washington County CDA completed repairs and renovations to the common areas at its 184 affordable rental unit development, Woodland Park, serving 176 residents ($146,700 CDBG) in Cottage Grove, MN.
• Washington County Community Services provided homelessness prevention services to 651 people using CDBG funds and 202 households using HOME ARP funds ($107,778.99 CDBG and $246,122.75 HOME ARP for crisis funding and service staffing).
• Solid Ground provided supportive services to 60 households for homelessness prevention ($31,651.20 HOME ARP).
The CDA released the draft CAPER for public comment and published it on its website Aug. 28 with instructions on how to comment. The public comment period closed Sept. 15. The CDA conducted a public hearing at its Sept. 15 meeting. No public comments were received at the public hearing or during the public comment period.
The CAPER and certifications will be submitted to HUD by Sept. 28. The full report can be viewed on the CDA's website at www.washingtoncountycda.org.
In another action focused on county operations and employees, the board declared Sept. 26 as Human Resources Professionals Day in Washington County.
Human Resource Professionals Day serves as an annual occasion to celebrate the integral role of HR professionals in building and sustaining thriving workplaces. The board approved the resolution at its Sept. 22 meeting.
The Washington County Human Resources Department navigates complex challenges with empathy, integrity, and strategic foresight, ensuring the well-being and success of Washington County’s most valuable asset — its employees. Staff consistently demonstrate exceptional skills in benefits, employee relations, employee engagement, human resource information systems, professional development, risk management, safety, talent acquisition, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and fostering a positive organizational culture.
The board extended its gratitude to all the county’s Human Resources professionals and recognized their unwavering commitment to county employees and the success of the organization.
The board also addressed transportation infrastructure, approving a $359,796.75 contract Sept. 22 with Valley Paving, Inc. to install a traffic signal system at the intersection of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 16 (Valley Creek Road) and Eagle Creek Lane in Woodbury.
The intersection ranked first in the 2022 Intersection Control Ranking System (ICRS) report, meeting multiple signal warrants. After evaluating the intersection, a traffic signal was the best fit for operational and safety performance.
In addition to the new traffic signal, the project scope includes a new crosswalk on the east and west legs, pedestrian ramp replacements, ADA-compliant push buttons, signing, and striping.
Bids opened Sept. 1, with Valley Paving, Inc. submitting the lowest of four bids.
The County Board also approved two cooperative agreements with the City of Woodbury to define cost-share responsibilities and ongoing maintenance for the traffic signal system.
Rounding out the Sept. 22 meeting, commissioners recognized county communications staff for receiving five awards from the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators at the annual Northern Lights Awards ceremony in July.
The Northern Lights Awards recognize outstanding work in communications across Minnesota’s government, education, and nonprofit sectors.
The Office of Administration Communications Team and the Property Records and Taxpayer Services (PRTS) Department received the awards in the following categories:
• Photography: The Office of Administration received a first-place Northern Lights Award for the Parks Events and Programs Photo Series.
• Logo, Illustration, or Graphic: The Property Records and Taxpayer Services Department received a Silver Northern Lights Award for the “Making Life Official” graphic.
• Logo, Illustration, or Graphic: The Office of Administration received a Bronze Northern Lights Award for the Flex and Stretch graphic.
• Writing: The Office of Administration received a Bronze Northern Lights Award for the WashNet article “Quiet Superheroes: Meet the Custodial Team.”
• General Publication: The Property Records and Taxpayer Services Department received a Bronze Northern Lights Award for the PRTS Operations Plan.