Councilors Talk Tax Increase, Street Fee Decrease

DULUTH- Duluth Mayor Don Ness agrees the tax levy needs to increase for 2015. But, some councilors want it raised higher to be able to eventually do away with the controversial street light fee.In 2009, Duluth residents started paying for a so-called street light fee that's now at a flat $5 a month. Earlier this year, the City Council voted to eliminate that fee by 2019. "What we are proposing to begin doing is to take the next five years to slowly phase out the street light fee," said Joel Sipress, councilor for the 2nd Dist. Sipress says the proposal would add 1.1 percent to the levy already put forward by Mayor Ness. Sipress believes homeowners will benefit in the long run by paying less and in a more transparent way. "I think there is a broad understanding that funding basic city services on these kinds of flat fees because it's not fair and not a good way to run city government," Sirpress said.  Other councilors have called for the same increase while wanting to direct the funds toward street repairs or helping Duluth public libraries. Although there is a need, Sipress says it's too late for that type of talk."If we don't have this very modest increase in the tax levy, we aren't going to be in a position to start phasing out the street light fee," Sipress said. Councilor Zach Filipovich has partnered with Sipress on this proposal. Councilors will be discussing the issue at their next meeting on Dec. 8.