Carver County Property Taxes Explained: Commissioner Lisa Anderson on Growth, Roads & Local Govt.

What does a Carver County Commissioner actually do?
How are your property taxes calculated?
Why doesn't all that new construction lower your tax bill?
In this episode of the Living in Carver County Podcast, I sit down with District 1 Commissioner Lisa Anderson to get answers to the questions every Carver County resident should be asking. Lisa brings 13 years of school board experience and one year on the county board, and she's refreshingly honest about what she's learned.
We cover everything from the 2026 property tax levy to the Highway 5 expansion, Met Council's role in controlling growth, mental health services, the new Chaska Library project, and how residents can actually influence local decisions before they're made.
Whether you're a longtime resident, considering a move to Carver County, or just want to understand how your tax dollars are spent, this conversation will give you the insider perspective you need.
About Your Host:
Greg Anderson is a Carver County real estate professional with RE/MAX Advisors West. With nearly 40 years of experience and 3,000+ homes sold, Greg specializes in Chaska, Chanhassen, Victoria, Waconia, and the surrounding communities.
Serving: Chaska, Chanhassen, Victoria, Carver, Waconia, Cologne, Norwood Young America, Mayer, Minnetrista, and all of Carver County, Minnesota
CONNECT WITH GREG:
Substack: HelloIamGregAnderson.substack.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gregoryranderson
RE/MAX Advisors West
CARVER COUNTY RESOURCES:
Carver County Government: co.carver.mn.us
Commissioner Lisa Anderson - District 1
Association of Minnesota Counties: mncounties.org
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Introduction to Commissioner Lisa Anderson
0:46 - What do county commissioners actually do?
1:57 - From school board to county board: Lisa's transition
3:25 - "We take lemons and make lemonade" - How county government works
5:25 - Property taxes explained: Two pieces to your tax bill
6:37 - Discretionary vs. mandated spending: Where your tax dollars go
8:43 - 2026 levy impact: What it means for the average Carver County home
9:35 - Does new construction lower your property taxes? The truth about growth
11:25 - Minnesota's property tax lag explained
12:36 - Unfunded mandates: When the state passes costs to counties
14:43 - The $8 million question: State funding shifts hitting Carver County
17:09 - Met Council explained: The unelected board controlling growth
19:28 - Why homes are built closer together: Lot sizes and development costs
20:44 - Highway 5 expansion: How Carver County got it done
24:05 - Construction timeline: What to expect in 2026
25:17 - Highway 212 to Norwood Young America: A bipartisan success story
26:56 - How county roads get prioritized for maintenance and upgrades
29:03 - Fastest growing county in Minnesota: What that means for residents
29:46 - The East-West divide: Balancing different community needs
31:48 - Orderly annexation explained: How cities actually grow
35:05 - Housing diversity and affordability in Carver County
36:46 - Mental health services: The county's upstream approach
40:07 - Libraries and parks: More than just books and trails
43:41 - Lake Waconia Regional Park: A hidden gem for events
45:03 - What Commissioner Anderson is optimistic about
48:43 - How to get involved in county government before decisions are made
51:53 - Final thoughts: Why local government matters most

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