Mayor Roger Reinert responds to 2026 tax levy changes

DULUTH , Minn. — Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert has responded to the passing of Duluth’s 2026 budget.

Monday, the Duluth City Council approved the 2026 property tax levy and budget.

During the meeting, the City Council increased the levy to 3.5%.

In September, Mayor Reinert had  requested an ‘inflation-only’ max tax levy of 2.7%

SEE PREVIOUS: Mayor Reinert Proposes ‘Inflation-Only’ Levy Increase

SEE PREVIOUS: Public input meeting held for St. Louis County’s 2026 budget

“Though I respect the Council’s ultimate authority to increase the levy and spending, it has only made next year’s budget deficit more
challenging,” said Reinert.

Reinert says that this levy increase will change the  2027 deficit from $5.4 million to $5.8 million.

“This will still be one of the lowest municipal levies in all of northeastern Minnesota,” noted Mayor Reinert,” and follows our 0% levy last year, which was the first time in a decade we have held property taxes flat.”

Officials say the new budget hopes to resolve a projected $7.3 million deficit while keeping property taxes low.