In This Issue:
- Second Meetings of Policy Committees Next Week
- Department of Revenue Property Tax Engagement Series
- Contamination Cleanup/Investigation Grant Programs: Information Sessions
- Electric Vehicles Communities Support Cohort
Second Meetings of Policy Committees Next Week
The second meetings of Metro Cities’ four policy committees are next week, starting Monday with the Transportation and General Government Committee. If you are interested but have not yet signed up for a committee, please email Jennifer Dorn at [email protected].
Department of Revenue Property Tax Engagement Series
The MN Department of Revenue is hosting a series of property tax engagement meetings over the next several weeks for interested taxpayers, local governments, auditors and assessors. Metro Cities hosted DOR Commissioner Paul Marquart at its first Municipal Revenues Policy Committee, to discuss the Department’s goals for the series. The Department’s goal is to explore recommendations to make the system more accessible, accountable, simpler and less costly.
The first session, held on August 13th was focused on setting a foundation for future meetings and potential topics were identified, including aids and credits, market value exclusion program, local government mandates and levy limits. Commissioner Marquart indicated that the Department had fielded several recommendations and emphasized that recommendations should be low or no cost to implement, prioritize benefit to the taxpayer, and not shift tax burdens.
At the second meeting, held on Tuesday, August 18th, DOR staff reviewed various property tax reports and the recommendations from a previous work group, and discussed ideas for making the property tax system more understandable. Various ideas were suggested to improve accessibility and understandability. DOR staff also reviewed the Department’s aid, credit and refund programs, which totaled $2.8 billion in 2026. The next meeting will be held September 1st.
Click HERE for more information and to register for future meetings. Contact Patricia Nauman at [email protected] with any questions.
Contamination Cleanup/Investigation Grant Programs: Information Sessions
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and the Metropolitan Council, are hosting two in-person information sessions for potential applicants to learn about the Contamination Cleanup and Investigation Grant Programs, discuss potential projects, and ask questions. The dates, times and locations are below:
Minneapolis
Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Nokomis Library
5100 34th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55417
Roseville
Thursday, September 10, 2026, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Ramsey County Library
2180 Hamline Avenue North
Roseville, MN 55113
Electric Vehicles Communities Support Cohort
Metro Cities is sharing an invite from the Great Plains Institute, in partnership with the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities, to join an Electric Vehicle Communities Support Cohort, which intends to bring together communities across the region to support work toward transportation electrification goals. If you are interested or would like to be contacted about future cohorts, please complete this interest form by September 1.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.