NEW ULM — No questions were asked at the Brown County Truth In Taxation public meeting at the Brown County Courthouse Courtroom Tuesday.

Brown County’s 2025 preliminary tax levy was set at $17.9 million, a $1.4 million (8.99%) increase from 2024. The levy would create an 8% total county budget increase, raising the total county budget from $42.4 million to $45.8 million.

“Our taxes are pretty competitive compared to neighboring counties,” said Brown County Administrator Sam Hansen.

He said 47.3% of Brown County family foster care was with a relative, while the state average is 35.7%. He said the higher family foster care percentage leads to better results.

Brown County Commission Chairman Jeff Veerkamp thanked county department heads for their budget work.

Assessed property market values rose 4.06% between payable 2024 and 2025 estimated market values. Agricultural land rose 3.82%, residential 4.72% and commercial/industrial land 2.42%.

Brown County ranked 20th among 87 Minnesota counties with a 2024 per capita levy rate of $642.63. Dakota County had a lowest levy per capita, $306.88. Traverse County had the highest levy per capita, $2,236.02, according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Brown County 2025 budget impacts included hiring a new deputy in June, human resources generalist in April plus new workers for income maintenance, adult mental health and an IT administrative assistant/technician.

Other budget impacts were higher staff wages and health insurance costs, a county program aid reduction after a record state surplus that increased the local levy nearly .5%.

Brown County service examples in 2024 include 423 human services child protection reports, 20 out of home placements, 187 adult protection reports screened, 77 accepted for investigation and 3,195 financial assistance cases.

The 2025 budget will be adopted at the Dec. 17 county board meeting. The tax levy can not rise more than 8.99% but the increase could be lower if commissioners support it.