2027 Valuation Notices and Property Value Changes for Houston County
Residents of Houston County can expect to receive their 2027 property valuation notices beginning in early April. These notices will arrive alongside your 2026 tax statement, in a separate color, as an additional page. It's important to review these notices carefully, as this is the time to check for any discrepancies or changes in your property's value or classification.
Keep in mind, questions about the 2026 tax amounts or any tax changes should have been addressed last fall. The 2027 valuation statements will also indicate any class and homestead changes, as well as the time and date of the local board of appeals meeting for your city or township. If there is no local meeting scheduled, the statement will note "Open Book," which means your appeal process will occur at the County Board of Appeals meeting in June. The assessor's office is always your best resource for any valuation questions, please consult their office first.
Understanding the Valuation Process
Minnesota law requires assessors to value properties based on sales from the previous year. The sales study for the 2027 values are based on sales between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. This is a key period to keep in mind when reviewing your valuation statement. For the upcoming year, the housing market in Houston County has largely stabilized, and if the trend continues through the next sales period (October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026), it may impact the 2028 valuation notices.
Additionally, Minnesota law mandates that assessors apply a "time trend" to account for any changes in sale prices since the time of the sale. The state determines the rate at which they think property values have increased over the course of the sales study and applies that rate to each sale, adjusting it to January 2 of the year for which the values are being set.
2027 Average Building/House Increases:
1 Story Houses + 5%
1.5 Story Houses + 5%
Black Hammer Twp + 6%
Brookwood Addition + 3%
Brownsville City + 5%
Brownsville Twp + 6%
Caledonia Twp + 5%
County Wide Apartments + 10%
County Wide Commercial & Industrial + 5%
County Wide Residential + 5%
Crooked Creek Twp + 10%
Eitzen City + 2%
Fox Chase Subdivision + 10%
Fox Shadows Subdivision + 5%
Hokah City + 10%
Hokah Twp + 10%
Houses Built (1898 – 1909) + 5%
Houses Built (1920 – 1939) + 4%
Houses Built (1950 – 1959) + 5%
Houses Built (1970 – 1979) + 5%
Houses Built (1990 – 1999) + 3%
Houston City + 10%
Houston Twp + 5%
Janell Avenue Addition + 5%
Jefferson Twp + 5%
Mayville Twp + 5%
Money Creek Twp + 5%
Mound Prairie Twp + 10%
Sheldon Twp + 5%
Shore Acres + 5%
Spring Grove Twp + 5%
Valley High Subdivision + 5%
Wagners Addition + 4%
Wilmington Twp + 5%
Yucatan Twp + 5%
2027 Average Land and Features Adjustments:
26 - 53 CER Tillable + $100/acre
94 - 98 CER Tillable + $200/acre
99 -100 CER Tillable + $100/acre
Brownsville City Ledge Front Foot + $300/front foot
Caledonia Twp Tillable + 5%
Composite Deck + $10/sqft
Concrete Patio + $2/sqft
Crooked Creek Twp Tillable + 5%
Electric Only Site + $9,700
Existing Well Site + $4,600
HGA Site (house, garage, 1st acre) + $4,400
Houston City Lot Front Foot + 5%
Native Prairie (exempt land) + $1,500/acre
Pasture + $600/acre
Pergola + $10/sqft
Perpetual Easement + $2,000/acre
Perpetual RIM + $2,000/acre
Stamped Concrete Patio + $5/sqft
Temporary RIM + $2,000/acre
Wilmington Twp Woods + 5%
Wood Deck + $8/sqft
2027 Average House, Building, and Land Value Decreases:
70 CER Tillable – $100/acre
Ag Site Acres – $300/acre
Caledonia Twp Woods – 5%
Hokah Twp Woods – 5%
Houses Built (1882 -1888) – 2%
La Crescent City – 3%
La Crescent Twp Homes – 15%
Spring Grove Twp Tillable – 3%
Spring Grove Twp Woods – 3%
Union Twp Homes – 5%
Union Twp Tillable – 10%
Union Twp Woods – 10%
Quintile Review Process
The Assessor’s Office conducts a "Quintile" review each year, reappraising 20% of properties across the county. This ensures that individual property characteristics are considered beyond mass appraisal and the sales study. Homeowners can assist by providing accurate information during the Quintile review process, which is essential for an accurate property value assessment.
This year, the following areas will undergo Quintile reviews starting in May:
- Brownsville Twp
- Caledonia Twp
- Jefferson Twp
- La Crescent Twp
- Money Creek Twp
- Union Twp
When an assessor visits your property, they will ask about your home and any outbuildings. If allowed, they may also inspect the interior. Homeowners are encouraged to cooperate with these reviews, as failing to do so may result in inaccurate assumptions about your property’s value.
Conclusion
It is essential for property owners to carefully review their 2027 valuation notices and participate in the Quintile review process. Providing accurate property information ensures that your property is valued correctly. If you have any questions about your valuation, the Assessor's Office is the best place to start.
Watch for the yellow or orange call back cards if you are part of the Quintile review areas this summer. We also offer an online option to respond to questions for your convenience.
Notice of Expiration of Redemption
You are notified that the parcels of land described in this notice and located in the county of Houston, state of Minnesota, are subject to forfeiture to the state of Minnesota because of nonpayment of delinquent property taxes, special assessments, penalties, interest, and costs levied on those parcels. The time for redemption from forfeiture expires if a redemption is not made by the later of (1) 60 days after service of this notice on all persons having an interest in the lands of record at the office of the county recorder or registrar of titles, or (2) by the second Monday in May. The redemption must be made in my office.
Click the document for more information Notice of Expiration Redemption
The Houston County Board of Commissioners hereby provides notice of its intent to consider a proposal to change the offices of Recorder and Auditor / Treasurer from elected positions to appointed positions pursuant to Minnesota Statutes.
A public hearing on this matter will be held during the regular meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners on Mar 24th, 2026, at 9:05 am. in the Commissioners’ Room at the Houston County Courthouse, 304 South Marshall Street, Caledonia, Minnesota
*Sample Resolution*
RESOLUTION TO MAKE THE POSITIONS OF AUDITOR, TREASURER, AND RECORDER APPOINTED PURSUANT TO MINNESOTA STATUTE § 375A.1205
WHEREAS, the offices of County Auditor /Treasurer, and County Recorder in Houston County, Minnesota are currently vacant and being fulfilled on an interim basis by individuals appointed by the County Board; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes § 375A.1205, Subdivision 1, allows the County Board to make these offices appointed upon the occurrence of a vacancy; and
WHEREAS, the County Board believes that transitioning these positions to appointed roles will promote efficiency, enhance administrative oversight, and improve continuity in service delivery.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1. The Board hereby declares its intent to make the positions of County Auditor / Treasurer,and County Recorder appointed rather than elected pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §375A.1205.
2. This resolution shall be published in the official newspaper of Houston County prior to adopting, and a 30-day period shall be provided for the public to submit a valid petition requesting a referendum on this change after adoption.
3. If no valid petition is filed within 30 days after adoption of this resolution, this resolution shall become effective, and the County Board shall appoint individuals to these positions pursuant to Minnesota law.
In Minnesota, the shift from elected to appointed county auditors, treasurers, and recorders is aimed at increasing professional qualifications and administrative efficiency. While Minnesota Statute 382.01 traditionally mandates these as elected four-year positions, counties have increasingly used optional forms of government to make them appointed.
Why Counties Choose Appointment
- Professional Expertise: Elected positions often have no minimum educational or experience requirements. Appointment allows counties to hire individuals with specific financial, electoral, or technical backgrounds to manage multimillion-dollar budgets.
- Administrative Efficiency: Allows for the continued modernization of the office by refining the appointed Auditor-Treasurer structure to improve workflow and service delivery.
- Performance Oversight: County Boards can hold appointed officials directly accountable for performance concerns, which is not an option for independent elected officials.
How the Change Occurs
- Under MN Statute 375A.1205 (enacted in 2019), a board can pass an 80% resolution to make a position appointed without a prior vote, provided there is a vacancy or the incumbent agrees. This change only goes to a vote if citizens successfully petition for a referendum.
Returning to Elected Status
Under MN Statute 375A.1205, subd. 7, a county can revert an appointed office to an elected one if the following conditions are met:
- Three-Year Waiting Period: The office must have been an appointed position for at least three years before any action can be taken to change it back.
- Board Resolution: The County Board can initiate the change by adopting a resolution. This requires a 60% majority vote of the board members.
- Public Notice and Comment: Before adopting the resolution, the board must publish their intent for two consecutive weeks and hold a public comment period at a regular meeting.
- Voter Petition (Referendum): Citizens can also force a return to elected status via petition. If a petition is signed by at least 10% of registered voters and filed by August 1 of an election year, the question must be placed on the ballot for the next general election.
To read more on the Cannabis Use in Public Ordinance click the link below
To read the full news release for "Public Input Wanted as County Updates Hazard Mitigation Plan"
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
Houston County has been alerted of a potential scam whereas a company is mailing via US Mail to county residents a preprinted ‘Purchase Agreement’ to purchase their land. Please beware and cautious before signing any document and consult an attorney before doing so.
Houston County Auditor-Treasurer
304 S. Marshall Street
Caledonia, MN 55921
EPOLLBOOKS-POLL PADS
“What is an EPollbook/Poll Pad”? It is simply an electronic roster used at the polling place to check-in voters. EPollbooks replace paper rosters. Of the 87 Minnesota Counties, 64 currently use Knowink EPollbooks. Houston County has 27 precincts that would benefit from using EPollbooks. The County currently has 12,389 registered voters. The largest City, La Crescent had 3519 voters in 2020 with a total election turnout of 92% overall for the County. As 2022 is a gubernatorial election year, we do expect high voter turnout.
- Is the Epollbook connected to the internet at the polling place and what voting data capabilities are provided with their use? No, the only time the Houston County Auditor/Treasurer will connect the EPollbook to the internet is when the ePollbooks are returned to the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. The day following the election, County Staff uploads the signed roster information to the Minnesota Secretary of State Voting Registration System (SVRS) through a secure connection. This is not a voting system. Ballots are not counted using the Epollbooks; they are used solely to check-in voters. There is no voting history stored on the EPollbook. There is no real time recording.
- Is this system cost effective for the County, even though Houston County has fewer voters than a large Metropolitan County? Yes, it is a cost effective system. This tool will save time on the back-end of the election process, thus minimizing additional staffing costs and over-time. EPollbooks add efficiency to election day registration as the EPollbook is capable of reading a driver’s license to process the registration and eliminates ineligible handwriting issues.
- Is the roster information data uploaded and stored? Yes, the data is stored for 22 months on a secured data site. The County may elect to store the data for a longer period, much like paper registration options.
- EPollbooks will work without WiFi? Yes, EPollbooks are designed to work without WIFI. Houston County will NOT connect EPollbooks to the WIFI at the poll locations.
- Will there be a backup provided to the Polling Places for the fall election? Yes, the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office will provide a backup, paper master list to each precinct in compliance with MN Statute 201.225.
- Is there federal testing governing the design of the EPollbooks? No, there is not a federal certification process or requirement. The County will continue to comply with MN Statute 201.225 regarding rosters.
- Are there precincts that would have multiples precinct voter lists? No, there is only ONE voter precinct loaded onto each poll pad.
- How many EPollbooks does the County currently have and how were they funded? The County purchased 33 EPollbooks with approximately $3,300.00 of County funds. The balance of funding was provided through the Vega Grant and some Cares Act funding.
- Why were EPollbooks not used in 2020 elections? Due to Covid 19 restrictions, the County opted not to implement and use the EPollbooks in 2020.
- Will it be a challenge to train on the EPollbooks? No, the training is straight-forward. As Auditor/Treasurer, I will have all head judges fully trained, familiar and comfortable with the operation of the EPollbook. I will also have an adequate number of other judges trained at each site.
As Auditor/Treasurer of Houston County, the integrity of any election is always my top priority. If you have additional questions concerning the EPollbooks, please reach out to me at Houston County 507-725-5815.
Donna Trehus
Houston County Auditor-Treasurer
Salary Compliance Notice
Chapter 156 of the Session Laws of 2005 [471.701] [SALARY DATA.]:
A city or county with a population of more than 15,000 must annually notify its residents of the positions and base salaries of its three highest-paid employees. This notice may be provided on the home page of the primary Web site maintained by the political subdivision for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days, in a publication of the political subdivision that is distributed to all residents in the political subdivision, or as part of the annual notice of proposed property taxes prepared under section 275.065.
The following information is provided pursuant to this statute:
- County Attorney - $147.000.00
- Sheriff - $147,000.00
- County Coordinator/HR Director - $136,468.80
Date of publication: January 7th, 2026
Houston County News Release Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) Public Review 2024
Houston County has completed an updated raft of its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) and is now seeking public feedback. Like all Minnesota counties, Houston County is vulnerable to a variety of natural hazards such as tornadoes, windstorms, severe winter storms, flooding, drought, and extreme temperatures, which can threaten the loss of life and property in the county. Planning for natural disasters minimizes the impact of events that can cause vast economic loss and personal hardship. See the links below for more information.
Houston County News Release HMP Public Review (11-12-24)
Houston County HMP Website Home Page
Houston County Mitigation Action Charts