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New Value Tax Exclusion System
March/April 2012
16 Annual th
One of the more significant legislative changes in recent memory occurred this last session with the repeal of the state’s Market Value Homestead Credit (MVHC) program, and the replacement of MVHC with a Homestead Market Value Exclusion (HMVE) program. Under the previous system, MVHC was a credit program wherein qualifying homeowners received a tax credit on their property tax bill. In other words, the state became a co-payer on a homeowner’s property tax bill by reducing the amount of property taxes an individual homeowner paid to local governments with the promise to pay that credit portion on behalf of the homeowner. However, over the last ten years, the state has failed to fully reimburse local governments for this credit, effectively reducing Blaine’s certified tax levy. This failure to fully reimburse local governments for the MVHC was the major reason the program was repealed and replaced with the new HMVE program. With the implementation of the HMVE program, homeowners will receive a market value exclusion, meaning a portion of their property’s value will be excluded from the tax calculation. In Anoka County, while this exclusion is factored into the taxable value of the property, the exclusion is not itemized on the property tax statement as a deduction from the property’s market value. This might cause some confusion as, without additional information or direct knowledge of the program, it would appear to homeowners that their property suffered a sharp and relatively large reduction in value. Homeowners should not be alarmed by this apparent reduction in their home’s value and should realize that this figure does not represent the true market value of the property, but rather the portion of the property’s value that is subject to the calculation of the property tax. While in the long run, the overall effect of the new HMVE program on property taxes remains uncertain, one known effect of the program is that a portion of the share of the property tax levy previously paid by lower and moderately priced homes will shift and increase the portion of the tax levy paid by higher value homes and commercial and industrial properties.
Safety Camp Registration Begins in April
Registration for Blaine’s popular Safety Camp begins in April. This year will mark the 16th time that the City has held the two-day camp. Safety Camp is open only to children who will complete 3rd grade this spring. Blaine Safety Camp is an exciting program co-sponsored by the Blaine Parks and Recreation Department and Safety Services Division. Safety Camp teaches kids, through a variety of fun activities, how to be safe in their daily lives. Interactive safety and informational sessions include fire safety, head injury prevention, water safety, poison control, first aid, safety on wheels, and much more. Activities like a police K9 demonstration and helicopter visit are pending. SBM Fire Station 3 will again be the site for Safety Camp on Wednesday and Thursday, July 11 and 12, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. The camp also includes an awards ceremony on Thursday night. The $30 fee includes lunches, snacks, t-shirt, fitted bike helmet, awards, all activities, and supervision. Fee assistance is available for Blaine residents who qualify. Registration for Blaine residents opens April 2; remaining spots are available to anyone beginning on April 9. Register by mail, in the night drop box outside City Hall, or in-person at the Parks and Recreation office. No online, fax, or phone registrations will be accepted. Registrants must provide a current report card to prove grade. For more information, call 763-785-6164.
Killebrew Memorial Miracle Field Dedication - May 5, 1:00 PM Blaine Baseball Complex
The Blaine Miracle League Field, located at the Blaine Baseball Complex, will be renamed Killebrew Memorial Miracle League Field in a dedication ceremony to honor late Minnesota Twins Hall of Famer, Harmon Killebrew. Harmon is an icon for Twins fans young and old, and was compassionately supportive of the Miracle League. In 2005, he attended the Blaine ground breaking for the first ever Miracle League Field in Minnesota. Since 2006, Killebrew’s foundation has given more than $250,000 to build more fields. Opening day for the Blaine field was May 6, 2006. The Miracle League provides opportunities for children with disabilities ages 3 -19 to play baseball, regardless of their abilities. The dedication will be part of the opening day ceremonies for players of the Miracle League of MN Metro North. We encourage the public to join us and TC Bear, Mudonna of the Saints, and live music from the North Suburban Concert Band, as we celebrate this special event in honor of Harmon Killebrew and his family!