by Jim Hasselbrink
The Sartell City Council at its Sept. 22 meeting unanimously approved a zero-percent property-tax rate increase, making Sartell the only city in the region to keep a flat-tax rate for five consecutive years.
Sartell Mayor Ryan Fitzthum echoed the sentiment of other council members when he thanked Sartell City Administrator Anna Gruber and Sartell Finance Director Rob Voshell for the hard work that went into achieving the flat-rate tax. Fitzthum encouraged other area city councils to do the same.
“I think the one thing we all could hope,” Fitzthum said, “is that other elected bodies will see what’s been done in the city of Sartell over multiple years now, and take hold of that themselves and be good stewards of all of our tax dollars they get to manage.”
Gruber emphasized the flat city-tax rate of 41.6 percent is not only the lowest in the area but it provides predictability to property owners so long as the county-determined valuation of one’s property does not change. Gruber also reminded residents that property taxes are composed of city, school and county taxes, and the latter two are not controlled by the city council. Because Sartell’s net-tax capacity growth was lower than expected (2.6 percent instead of 5 percent), Voshell said in order to maintain the flat rate it was necessary to delay for one year replacing two pieces of equipment – one for the fire department and the other for the public-utilities department.
At this time, the council plans to hold the final public hearing for the proposed 2026 levy at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8.
Wyndham Garden
At its Sept. 22 meeting, the council also unanimously approved a subsidy package for the Wyndham Garden Hotel project, taking another major step toward the realization of the hotel.
This agreement includes tax abatement, meaning the city will reimburse the hotel developer up to $461,417 in property taxes over 10 years, as well as a grant of $40,000. The council stated it hopes the new hotel, set to open in fall of 2026, will attract visitors, support businesses, provide more lodging options, increase tax revenue and create jobs.
