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Town Hall · Lake Sarah Township

Lake Sarah Township spent more per resident in 2022 than 74% of similar towns

Lake Sarah Township’s town government spent $181,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $548 per resident.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$181,000
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$548
In 2022: $548, more than 74% of 1586 similar towns
Long-term debt
Not reported
end of 2022, reported
Town staff, 2022
0
full-time · 5 part-time · March payroll $183
Typical tax bill
$2,382
0.62% of home value · MN 1.02%

What stands out about how Lake Sarah Township is run

Read from the town’s budget and official records.

Compared with similar places

$548 per resident in 2022: more than 74% of them

Lake Sarah Township’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($548 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 1586 Minnesota towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $366, and the middle half spent $247–$565. Lake Sarah Township spent more than 74% of them.

Middle half of the group, $247–$565Median $366Lake Sarah Township

Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
1586

Minnesota towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Lake Sarah Township itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $548 per resident a year, or $1.50 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 77%.

Where the money comes from
Property taxes 44%From the state 26%Interest, fines & other 18%From the federal government 12%
Over the years

No trend yet

Lake Sarah Township reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $2,382 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.62% of the home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Minnesota$3,357
The Lakes$2,791
Mason Township$2,636
Lake Sarah Township$2,382
Shetek Township$2,284
Custer Township$1,850
Skandia Township$1,250
$2,382
typical bill a year
0.62%
effective rate
$382,500
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Lake Sarah Township’s rate.

Can I afford it? →

The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.

Tax bills are one input to Lake Sarah Township’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Lake Sarah Township →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Lake Sarah Township

Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.

Check Lake Sarah Township’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Lake Sarah Township yet.
The school district

Tracy Area Public School District

Lake Sarah Township’s K–12 school district, shared with Balaton, Currie, Custer Township, Garvin, Monroe Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Lake Sarah Township →
$13,969
per pupil · MN $17,091
688
students
$25 million
long-term debt

Of the $13,969 per pupil, $8,471 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.

The district: schools, scores and graduation →

Where the district’s money comes from
Local 31%State 62%Federal 7%

Minnesota districts overall: 30% local, 62% state, 8% federal.

Also serving Lake Sarah Township

Murray County Central School District · $15,459 per pupil

School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.

Elections · 2024 general election

Lake Sarah Township’s votes are counted by county

Minnesota reports official results by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for Lake Sarah Township alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Murray County’s results.

President · Murray County’s results4,769 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican70.2%3,346 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat27.9%1,329 votes

Others: 2.0% (94 votes).

Most votes in Murray County: Donald J Trump

Minnesota: Harris 50.9%, Trump 46.7%

The county’s page

100% of Lake Sarah Township lies in Murray County. Every 2024 race in Murray County is on the county’s page.

Murray County’s 2024 results →
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.

Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.

Who represents Lake Sarah Township

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Lake Sarah Township.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Minnesota HouseState representatives
    District 21A
  3. 3
    Minnesota SenateState senator
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Minnesota

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Next door

How Lake Sarah Township compares with the towns next door

Lake Sarah Township spent $548 per resident in 2022; the 4 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $407 to $915. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Custer Township$407$1,850
Shetek Township$500$2,284
Mason Township$562$2,636
Skandia Township$915$1,250
Lake Sarah Township$548$2,382

Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).

Reach Lake Sarah Township’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Lake Sarah Township’s government

How much does Lake Sarah Township spend per resident?

About $548 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $548 was more than 74% of 1586 Minnesota towns and townships of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Lake Sarah Township?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,382 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.62% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.02% across Minnesota. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the town’s assessor.

Who runs Lake Sarah Township’s government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Lake Sarah Township yet.

How did Lake Sarah Township vote in 2024?

Minnesota counts votes by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for Lake Sarah Township alone. Murray County, where 100% of Lake Sarah Township lies, voted Trump 70.2%, Harris 27.9% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Lake Sarah Township?

0 full-time and 5 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $183 (about $2,196 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Lake Sarah Township in the state legislature?

State Senate District 21 (Bill Weber) and State House District 21A. The House district also covers 119 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Lake Sarah Township’s government

Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.

Town Square →
Ask neighbors

Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →