Burnsville Budget Overview
From providing the everyday essentials (clean water, safe roads and flushing to sewers) to focusing on safety and community connections, your property taxes support City services including police, fire/EMS and parks, as well as public works, community development and administration. This is the foundation for the City’s operational annual budget.
Operating Budget: As a service organization, Burnsville places a high value on city services and qualified staff needed to maintain high standards of service for a safe and vibrant community.
Capital Budget: The Capital Budget covers major city improvements such as roads, buildings and other infrastructure, and is primarily funded by taxes, assessments, franchise and utility fees, and state and federal grants.
The Burnsville City Council Strategic Priorities of safety, community engagement, organizational culture, community vibrancy, infrastructure and sustainability are the defined areas of our action plan as we work toward our vision that Burnsville is a vibrant city, boldly leading and welcoming to all.
Your Tax Dollars at Work
The General Fund is used to account for the revenues and expenditures necessary to provide basic governmental services for the city. The principal sources of revenues are property taxes, intergovernmental revenue, and charges for municipal services. Expenditures are for organizational services, public safety, public works, parks, natural resources, recreation, leadership and community development.
Typically, more than half of the property tax dollars the City collects are used to fund Burnsville’s Public Safety services such as police, fire, emergency medical services and emergency management. Another 21% of the tax levy funds maintenance of streets and parks infrastructure, as well as natural resources and recreation programs.
One of the key components of yearly budget planning is to establish a property tax levy. The property tax levy for 2023 is a 14.53% increase in the City portion of property taxes. Increasing market values allow the City to invest in Burnsville’s future while not increasing the tax rate for property owners. City property tax levy increases do not always directly equate to an increase in property taxes. Property taxes are impacted by multiple factors including changes in residential and commercial property values, the amount of new construction coming on the tax rolls, property tax rates and taxes imposed by other entities.
For the average homeowner, this year's levy equates to an increase in the City portion of property taxes of approximately $18/month. For about the cost of a streaming service, you invest in a vibrant community, boldly leading and welcoming to all.
Funding Sources for City Services
Your property taxes are split in a variety of ways. The City receives about 34% of your property tax and the remainder is split between your school district (approximately 43%) and Dakota County (approximately 20%) with the remaining 3% to other entities.
The City portion is used for the General Fund (primarily City services), Capital and to pay City debt.
Property Taxes make up approximately 70% of the General Fund revenues. Additional funding comes primarily from charges for municipal services and licensing/permit fees.
The City is primarily a service organization and City staff are a critical component to meeting the high standards established by the City Council for serving the community in a professional and responsive manner. The City has realigned a number of operations and continually evaluates staffing to meet ever changing community needs.