The Tab at the End of the Night
Taxes, Levies, and Assessments: A bartender’s guide to who is actually paying for all this fun.
BLAINE
High Property Taxes + Assessments.
A $750M Sports District, new roads, and “Big City” amenities.
ANOKA
“Fiscal Reset” (Levy Spikes).
Solvency. Riverfront investments (Surfing). Cheap Electric (AMU).
COON RAPIDS
0.5% Sales Tax (Proposed).
Regional parks & trails. Visitors pay the bill, not just homeowners.
Let’s be honest. Nobody likes the end of the night.
You’ve had a great time. You enjoyed the appetizers (the parks), the main course (the schools), and the drinks (the neighborhood vibes). But then the lights come up, the music stops, and the bartender—that’s me—drops the little black leather folder on the table.
The Bill.
In real estate, we call this PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance). Most people focus on the first two. But in the North Metro right now, the third one—Taxes—is the one making headlines.
I’ve read the boring city council minutes so you don’t have to. Here is who is paying what in 2026, and why your monthly payment might look different depending on which side of the city line you buy on.
Blaine: The Cover Charge
Blaine is the club everyone wants to get into right now. They are building the 105th Avenue Sports & Entertainment District. They have the TPC. They have the growth.
But living in the VIP room comes with a cover charge.
The Situation:
Blaine is pivoting from a bedroom community to a destination. To do that, they need infrastructure. The city is levying significant property taxes to pay for the new police officers, fire stations, and roads required to support this density.
⚠️ Watch Out For: Special Assessments
If you are buying a home in Blaine, specifically near Hwy 65 or the new developments in the northeast, you need to check the “Assessments” line on the MLS sheet.
When Blaine reconstructs a street, they don’t just patch it. They add curbs, gutters, and storm sewers. That bill gets slapped onto your property taxes. It can be $5,000 to $10,000 spread over 10 years. Always ask me to pull the assessment search before you write an offer.
Is it worth it?
If you want appreciation, yes. You are paying for the amenities that drive up home values. It’s an investment.
Anoka: The Fiscal Reset
Anoka is the old-school regular at the bar. For years, Anoka kept taxes artificially low. How? By using the profits from their electric company and liquor stores to pay for city operations. It was like paying your rent with your poker winnings. It worked, until it didn’t.
The Situation (2026):
The city calls it the “Fiscal Reset.” They are stopping the subsidies. That means the property tax levy is jumping—potentially by double digits—to reflect the actual cost of running the city.
The Secret Weapon: AMU
But wait, there is a silver lining. Because Anoka Municipal Utility (AMU) isn’t subsidizing the general fund anymore, they can keep electric rates rock bottom.
If you run a business or have a workshop in your garage, Anoka is heaven. While Xcel Energy rates are skyrocketing (up 13%+), AMU rates are stable. You pay more in property taxes, but you pay significantly less to keep the lights on. It’s a trade-off.
Is it worth it?
For long-term stability, yes. The city is fixing its finances. It’s painful now, but it prevents a collapse later.
Coon Rapids: The Split Check
Coon Rapids figured out a trick: Why pay the whole bill when you can get the guests to chip in?
The Situation:
The city is proposing a 0.5% Local Option Sales Tax. This money is earmarked specifically for park improvements, trails, and the new community center upgrades.
Why do you care?
Because Riverdale Village draws shoppers from all over the state. When someone from Maple Grove comes to Coon Rapids to buy a TV at Best Buy, they pay that sales tax.
That means the people visiting your city are helping to pay for your parks. It keeps your property taxes stable while still funding the fun stuff like the new riverfront trails.
Is it worth it?
Absolutely. It’s the smartest fiscal move in the metro. It exports the tax burden to non-residents.
Last Call
When you are looking at Zillow, every house looks the same. 3 bed, 2 bath, split entry. But the “monthly payment” is a lie if you don’t calculate the taxes.
A $400k house in Anoka has a different financial footprint than a $400k house in Blaine or Coon Rapids. One might have cheap electric but high taxes. The other might have special assessments looming.
My job isn’t just to open the door. It’s to help you read the receipt so you aren’t surprised when the bill comes due.
So, before you fall in love with the kitchen island, call me. Let’s look at the levy sheet together.
Cheers to fiscal responsibility.
Jacob Zwack
Realtor | The Minnesota Real Estate Team
The Agent Referral Network.
Serving the North Metro. RENE, C2EX, SRS, ABR designated.
“I help you read the fine print.”
Jacob Zwack is a licensed Realtor with The Minnesota Real Estate Team. All information presented is for educational purposes. Tax levies and assessments are subject to change by city councils and voters. Always consult a tax professional before making financial decisions.
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