Dear Neighbors, 

Property taxes are one of the most pressing concerns facing Minnesotans, and now thanks to Governor Tim Walz’s latest budget proposal, they’re about to get even worse for counties like ours. 

Wadena County released its cost estimates for the Governor’s proposed shift of state responsibilities onto county governments. The numbers are clear—and alarming. These unfunded mandates could result in an additional $1.63 million in costs that county taxpayers will be expected to shoulder in 2026 alone. 

Here’s what the Walz administration is pushing onto local taxpayers: 

• $288,000 increase in Disability Waiver costs 

• MSOP cost share increase from 25% to 40%: $37,329 

• $1 million for new mandates under MAAFP (“The Act”), requiring seven additional full-time employees—including two attorneys 

• $270,256 for four new FTEs in county jail due to staffing pattern changes 

• $32,579 loss due to reductions in Aquatic Species Aid 

• $2,114 loss from cuts to Cannabis Aid 

• Plus an increase in Behavioral Health Fund cost shares and more 

Total New Local Burden: $1,633,815 

Even more concerning: Some costs can’t even be calculated yet due to a lack of data and clarity from the state. Counties like Wadena are left guessing how much more they’ll owe. 

These shifts to the counties come at a time when Minnesota is already facing a $6 billion budget deficit. Instead of tightening the belt at the state level, the Governor is passing the buck to counties, leaving local taxpayers to pick up the tab. 

If you’re wondering why your property tax bill keeps climbing, this is a big part of the reason. 

When counties are forced to absorb millions in unexpected costs, they have two choices: cut services or raise taxes. And when the state chooses to fund new programs by offloading costs instead of finding responsible solutions, Minnesotans like you are left paying the price. 

We need real leadership that respects your hard-earned dollars, not more top-down mandates that make local government footing the bill. 

I want to thank Wadena County for putting this spreadsheet together and when our property taxes rise, we can all thank Walz.