While the tax statements for 2003 sent out last month surprised many Albert Leans, the city’s tax rate will still be moderate &045; at highest, in the middle among major non-metropolitan cities in Minnesota, a survey shows.

The Citizens League, a non-profit group advocating smaller government, compiled a list of the 2002 property taxes for a $100,000 homestead in 32 non-metro cities with 9,000 or more population.

According to the survey, the property taxes Albert Leans paid in 2002 &045; from the city, county and school district combined &045; was $747, which was the third-lowest of any city surveyed.

The highest was Cloquet, Carlton County, at $1,467, and the lowest was Brainerd, Crow Wing County, at $699.

The breakdown shows that Albert Lea’s city tax, $203.17, was the lowest among the 32 cities in 2002, while the county tax, $508.46, ranked 22nd and the school district tax, $317.47, was 11th.

According to the survey, the average home value in Albert Lea was $71,413; a home with that value was charged $449 in taxes in 2002. The city ranked 30th in the tax paid by the average-priced home.

For 2003, a statement for a $110,900 homestead in Albert Lea indicates the total tax will be $1,150; a tax of $1,024, adjusted for the $100,000 standard, means the tax amount would rank 15th among the 32 cities, based on 2002 numbers for the other 31 cities. But, since most cities, counties and school districts in the state increase their levy each year, often to the maximum limit, Albert Lea’s rank would likely be lower than 15th.

Tax increases brought on by courthouse bonds should present a significant upward move in the county’s tax ranking. And, considering few school districts succeeded in passing a referendum this year, the tax for School District 241 will likely join the top ten on the list.

Tax rankings: A look at nearby southern Minnesota cities’ 2002 property taxes, with statewide rank, tax and 2001 rank.

City (2002 rank), 2002 tax, 2001 rank: Waseca (6), $1,247,3; Rochester (10), $1,122, 15; Fairmont (20), $909, 18; Owatonna (22), $831,28; Mankato (24), $810,20; Faribault (29), $747,16; Albert Lea (30), $747, 19; Austin (31), $722, 31

(Source: www.citizensleague.net)