by LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
This is the fourth article in the League of Women Voters Minneapolis 2025 Democracy Series. All articles will be available at lwvmpls.org/democracy-series/
In the November election, you will have the opportunity to select members of the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET). What responsibilities do these board members have? How might decisions made by these boards affect you? How can you make an informed decision on who to vote for so your choice of candidate aligns with your values and concerns?
Responsibilities of the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET)
BET may not be on your radar every day, but the decisions it makes affect you greatly.
This board decides the maximum cap on the total property tax dollars our city government can collect. This is called a levy. Before setting the levy, the board holds public hearings to listen to Minneapolis residents’ opinions. For 2025, the city’s overall property tax levy is approximately $511,000,000.
BET sets the maximum tax levies for several funds that come out of the overall tax levy. For example, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) requests its funding from BET. Representatives from MPRB present their budget requests to BET, which includes their strategic plans for using the funds. BET considers this input along with other economic factors before allocating funds to the park board.
BET has authority on how the city borrows money for long-term investments. It approves the issuance of bonds to support capital projects requested by the City Council or MPRB. BET has the responsibility to coordinate financial policy between the mayor, City Council, and other independent boards to ensure fiscal responsibility across city departments. BET monitors the city’s debt and credit ratings to maintain a strong financial position in Minneapolis.
Who is on BET?
In November, you will vote directly for two city-wide members of BET, each to serve a 4-year term. There are four additional members on BET that include the mayor, the park board commissioner, the City Council president, and the City Council member who chairs the committee in charge of the budget.
Notice the connections between BET and other offices up for election this fall: your votes in this election impact virtually every part of the city’s government.
Where can you get more information on the responsibilities of BET and the candidates so you can be an informed voter? As you gather information on the candidates and their responsibilities when serving on BET, consider what qualifications you deem important to work effectively on the board in the best interests of Minneapolis residents.
SOURCES FOR ONLINE ONLY
- A list of current members of BET can be found at https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/boards/bet.
- Check out the Minneapolis government website to read BET’s mission statement website (https://stories.opengov.com/minneapolismn/published/-i4ZmiqyafR).
- For a detailed list of the agencies BET sets tax levies for go to: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/boards-and-commissions/bet/bet-role/.
- A look at a recent agenda provides a picture of how board meetings are run (https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Board/MarkedAgenda/BET/4798)
- For a detailed list of the agencies BET sets tax levies for go to: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/boards-and-commissions/bet/bet-role/.
- Check out the candidates’ websites to learn about their backgrounds and reasons for running for BET.
- BET’s strategic plan for funds: (https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/FileV2/47522/2025-Budget-Presentation_Park-and-Recreation-Board.pdf)
Attend the League of Women Voters Minneapolis forums or view the recorded videos to hear directly from the candidates. Check our website (lwvmpls.org) for dates and times for these forums.
Next month, the fifth article in our League of Women Voter Minneapolis 2025 Democracy Series will provide readers with basic information on the voting process from registration to the different ways to vote. This election will use Ranked Choice Voting and the article will provide information on how this voting system works.
