St. Louis County Board Sets 2015 Budget

DULUTH, Minn. - The St. Louis County Board has approved its 2015 budget in the amount of $338,112,831.

The budget reflects the County's continued commitment to a fair and balanced budget that provides a high level of service while being sensitive to the impact of budget decisions on tax payers.

While the budget reflects a 2.9 percent increase in the property tax levy, new construction and an overall increase in the property tax base will largely offset the impact to taxpayers.

The levy increase reflects continued commitment to funding debt service for investments made for renovations to the Government Services Center in Duluth and the Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC).

The levy also includes increased investment in public safety, and continued investment in road and bridge safety and human services programming.

The budget positions the county for the future through strategic investments in public safety, continued efforts to reduce the county's reliance on state aids, and permanently funds the Community Sanctions, Intensive Pre-Trial Release and expanded Female Offender programs.

Absorbed within the budget are the increased costs of doing business due to inflation and employee salaries.

"The hardest thing to do is tell people I need more money from you," said Commissioner Keith Nelson, who chairs the finance committee. "This budget is a responsible one, and reflects an efficient government that people can be proud of and an environment where families can feel safe. Having addressed unique challenges this year, we will continue to look at ways to lessen impacts to tax payers in the future."

The County Board approved the 2015 budget during its final meeting of the year, which was held in Morse Township.

The vote was 6-1 (Dahlberg opposed).

The 2015 budget, along with the budgets from the previous 10 years, can be reviewed in depth at stlouiscountymn.gov/budgetexplorer.