Albert Lea city officials will host a series of ward meetings during the next two weeks aimed at helping homeowners understand the changes coming to property taxes for 2012.

With the change on the state level — precisely, the Market Value Homestead Credit is going away — some homeowners are facing automatic property tax increases. That is regardless of whether there are levy increases for their city, county or school district.

“Several homeowners will be impacted by the change, and we want to explain more thoroughly or answer any questions on why the change is occurring,” Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams said.

Residents will receive their tax statements in mid-November.

The changes are taking place because of a cost-saving measure the state used to close the $5 billion, two-year state budget deficit.

Under the credit, homeowners claiming homestead on their tax statements could reduce their gross tax. The state reimbursed local governments for a portion of the credits granted to individual taxpayers on tax statements.

To cushion the blow of the elimination of the Market Value Homestead Credit, the state instituted a special exclusion, under which about 40 percent of the first $76,000 in market value of a home will be excluded when figuring out taxes. The exclusion reduction is equal to 9 percent of the market value over $76,000 until it hits zero exclusion at $413,800 of the market value.

Commercial, industrial and non-homestead properties will pick up a majority of the shift, while higher-valued homestead properties will also see tax increases.

Adams said he is also hoping to get a better sense from community members on the services they value as city officials conduct long-term planning for the city.

The city is not looking to cut services in 2012.

Meetings are expected to last about an hour with a short presentation at the beginning, followed by mainly a question and answer discussion to allow time for feedback from residents.

The meeting schedule is as follows:

• Ward 3, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Albert Lea Senior Center

• Ward 6, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Elbow Room

• Ward 4, 7:30 a.m. Nov. 3 at Hy-Vee

• Ward 1, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Brookside Education Center

• Ward 2, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at the National Vitality Center

• Ward 5, 6 p.m. Nov. 15 at the American Legion

If people cannot make it to the meeting for their ward, they are encouraged to attend any of the other meetings.

Residents can call Adams at 377-4330 with questions.