Forest Lake, MN town hall & government
Forest Lake spent $34.7 million in the year to December 31, 2024, about $1,664 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Forest Lake's government.
Where Forest Lake's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Property taxes 45%
- Fees & charges 23%
- Utility sales 15%
- From the state 8%
- Interest, fines & other 4%
- Sales taxes 3%
- Other taxes & licenses 2%
- From the federal government <1%
Who works for Forest Lake
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2023. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Forest Lake Public School District
Forest Lake's K–12 school district, shared with Columbus, Linwood, Scandia, Wyoming, Hugo and Lino Lakes. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from Minnesota districts overall: 30% local, 62% state, 8% federal
- Local 34%
- State 61%
- Federal 4%
Of the $15,260 per pupil, $8,462 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Which schools Forest Lake kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Forest Lake pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Forest Lake's government
Who represents Forest Lake
Forest Lake is represented in Congress by Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and Representative Pete Stauber. Tim Walz is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.