December 01, 2025
Back to all stories

Dakota County proposes 9.9% levy increase

Dakota County is proposing a 9.9% levy increase as part of its 2026 budget. A Tuesday meeting has been scheduled to take up the budget and will serve as the public hearing/Truth-in-Taxation on the proposed levy.

Business & Economy Local Government

📌 Key Facts

  • Dakota County has scheduled a Tuesday meeting to take up the 2026 budget and a proposed levy increase.
  • The session will serve as the public hearing/Truth-in-Taxation step tied to the previously proposed 2026 levy.
  • The levy referred to at the meeting was previously proposed (the hearing is a follow-up step in the process).
  • This information was reported by TwinCities on 2025-12-01.

📊 Relevant Data

Dakota County's population increased from 414,245 in 2015 to 447,440 in 2023.

Dakota County, MN Population by Year - 2024 Update — Neilsberg

The proportion of White residents in Dakota County decreased from 78.4% in 2013 to 76.0% in 2023.

Dakota County Demographic and Labor Market Profile — Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

The proportion of Hispanic or Latino residents in Dakota County increased from 6.2% in 2013 to 8.4% in 2023.

Dakota County Demographic and Labor Market Profile — Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

The proportion of Black or African American residents in Dakota County increased from 6.8% in 2013 to 7.3% in 2023.

Dakota County Demographic and Labor Market Profile — Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

Dakota County proposes a levy increase of no more than 9.9% in 2026 to absorb $4.3 million in costs shifted from the state.

Dakota County Tax Insert — Dakota County

Dakota County expects $21 million in shifts from the federal government between 2027 and 2029.

Dakota County Tax Insert — Dakota County

25% of Dakota County's budgeted levy spending is allocated to social services.

Dakota County Tax Insert — Dakota County

📰 Sources (2)

Dakota County: Tuesday meeting set for 2026 budget, levy increase
Twincities by Mars King December 01, 2025
New information:
  • Dakota County has scheduled a Tuesday meeting to take up the 2026 budget and proposed levy increase.
  • The session will serve as the public hearing/Truth-in-Taxation step tied to the previously proposed 2026 levy.
Dakota County proposes 9.9% levy increase for 2026 budget
Twincities by Mars King September 23, 2025