Mankato homeowners picking up more of the property tax burden

John Logan, a widower who has lived on the 2300 block of Fair Street since 1998, has noticed the trend when he writes out the checks for his property taxes — up, up and up again, increasing $726 in the past five years.

Logan doesn’t mind making the twice-yearly contribution, saying it’s the price of maintaining the quality of life in Mankato.

“Whenever I have to pay to the city and the school district, I think it’s for the good of the community,” the retired Postal Service employee said. “I believe in having good police and good streets, and I believe in the good of the city. ... I like my town. I’m just happy to chip in.”

But he’s not nearly as happy about the declining contributions to local government by his big neighbor to the northeast. Just over 600 feet from Logan’s home, the Sam’s Club-Walmart complex has seen its annual real estate bill fall by nearly $65,000 since 2017.

And at the massive Walmart distribution center, the property tax bill plunged more than 21%, with the facility now paying $833,00 — a reduction of almost $228,000.