Amid budget concerns on the state and local level, the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday it will facilitate an informational meeting for business owners to talk about potential property tax increases in 2012.

At the meeting, planned for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27, city and county officials will be brought together to speak to the business community, along with Freeborn County Assessor Ryan Rasmusson and Freeborn County Auditor-Treasurer Dennis Distad.

District 27A Rep. Rich Murray and District 27 Sen. Dan Sparks have also been invited to attend.

“The uncertainty created by the budget changes is best handled with open communication with the community well in advance of property tax estimates being mailed in November,” said chamber Executive Director Randy Kehr. “While the news may not be welcome, ample advance notice will allow businesses to plan accordingly based on facts, not guesswork.”

Of concern are the elimination of the market value homestead credit on the state level and potential levy increases on the city and county level.

Local officials have said during the last couple weeks that even if local governments freeze their spending, residents can anticipate an automatic increase in property taxes, especially for nonhomestead, commercial and ag property. Any raises in levies would be a tax increase on top of that percentage.

The meeting will focus on effects on commercial property taxes and not on individual homeowners taxes.

The meeting is scheduled for the Freeborn Room at the Freeborn County Government Center.

For more information, people can contact the chamber at 373-3938.