The Rice County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a preliminary property tax levy and budget for 2026.
The preliminary levy of $43 million is 8.7% higher than the adopted 2025 figure. That’s largely attributable to higher personnel costs and increased health insurance expenses as well as legislative changes at the state and federal levels which have reduced county revenue and added mandated services.
After two years of increases, county aid from the state will be about $143,000 lower in 2026.
The 2026 budget includes the use of $2.47 million from county reserves, money set aside for special purposes and one-time expenditures. The majority of the funds come from its Environmental Services Fund and will be used to pay for needs and operations at the Rice County Solid Waste Facility.
Reserved funds will also be used to update scheduling software for the Rice County Sheriff’s Office and for an additional drone to assist deputies with search and rescue operations.
Also included in the proposed budget is $868,661 in funding for outside agencies including the county’s three public libraries, senior centers, its historical society and the Rice Soil & Water Conservation District.
The 2026 property tax levy for the county’s Housing & Redevelopment Authority was also approved Tuesday. That levy will not increase, staying at $232,467 for 2026.
The board will hold its Truth in Taxation hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 in the Rice County Government Services Building, 320 Third St. NW, Faribault. County property owners will have an opportunity to provide input on the proposed budget and levy during that meeting.
The board is expected to approve the final levy and budget in mid-December. At that time, the levy can go down. It can not be higher than the preliminary figure approved Tuesday.
