Residents respond to proposed tax increase

by Brandt Williams, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — Minneapolis residents and taxpayers can testify in a public hearing tonight about the city's proposed 2009 budget.

Mayor R.T. Rybak is proposing a nearly 7 percent raise in property taxes. That's just below the city-imposed levy limit of 8 percent.

City budget director Heather Johnston says on average, homeowners whose homes lost value will see a decrease in property taxes.

"We have several different, typical family homes and one that's about $216,000 we have a decrease of 3.3 percent in terms of city taxes only. We also have a couple other values, but that's generally what we're looking at," Johnston said.

The city council is expected to vote on the mayor's budget in a few weeks. The council can, and often does, make amendments to the budget before passing it.