Assessor's Office
The Assessor's Office provides for the equitable assessment of real and personal property in Stearns County as provided by state laws and regulations. It estimates the value and determines the classification of all County property. The assessment is based upon appraisals and reviews done by the appraisal staff and/or local assessors.
This office also reviews and corrects local assessment books, prepares abstracts, maps and other forms prescribed by the Commissioner of Revenue, administers various property tax programs, attends boards of equalization meetings, and appears in tax court to defend assessments as an expert witness.
Only Stearns County property records, excluding properties located in St. Cloud City, are maintained by the County's assessing officers and clerks. Property information kept on properties located in neighboring counties cannot be accessed. For property owners within the corporate limits of St. Cloud city, please contact the City of St. Cloud. However, the County's business partners may access St. Cloud City property information through the Property Management Portal.
| Questions? Chat with someone from our property assessment team. This live support line is available Monday-Friday between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm. |
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What's New in the Assessor's Office? |
The county assessor is finalizing market values and classifications for the 2010 assessment through the months of January, February, and March. At least ten days prior to the meeting of the local board of appeal and equalization, notices of assessment will be mailed to all property owners in March and April. Dates, times, and locations for these meetings are provided on this notification. The meeting information will also be posted on this website by early March.
Green Acres Updates
During the week of January 4th, nearly 3,500 Stearns County property owners enrolled in Green Acres received information in the mail regarding changes to the tax deferral program. This letter included a summary of the law changes and a one-page form, “Notification for Property Enrolled in Green Acres”, that needs to be completed and returned to the county assessor. Property owners are encouraged to carefully read this material because important decisions regarding their on-going enrollment in the Green Acres program must be made by May 1, 2010.
Informational Meeting Presentations
There were nine meetings held throughout the county on January 26th, 27th, 28th and February 1st to discuss the 2010 agricultural tax increase, changes in the Green Acres program along with tax program options available to land owners. Staff members from the Assessor’s Office offered two PowerPoint presentations at each meeting. The first presentation covered the factors that contributed to the increase in agricultural taxes for payable year 2010 and the second presentation addressed the 2009 legislative changes covering the Green Acres program, options for land owners, and a review of the Green Acres, Rural Preserve, Managed Forest Land, and Sustainable Forest Incentive Act programs. They also addressed questions and concerns shared by property owners. A summary of each presentation used at these informational meetings is posted here for review and consideration:
2010 Agricultural Tax Increase (69 Kb Acrobat PDF)
Green Acres Changes and Options for Land Owners (1.28 Mb Acrobat PDF)
If you are unable to open the file and would like a copy to look at, please send your request by e-mail to property.assessment@co.stearns.mn.us
Property Tax Program Information
Important Property Tax Program Dates and Information (22 Kb Acrobat PDF)
A Comparison of Minnesota Property Tax Programs for Land Owners (26 Kb Acrobat PDF)
A Comparison of Property Taxes: Green Acres, Rural Preserve, Managed Forest Land, and Sustainable Forest Incentive Act (35 Kb Acrobat file)
Frequently Asked Questions: The Rural Preserve Program (16 Kb Acrobat PDF)
Application Process for the Rural Preserve Program (22 Kb Acrobat PDF)