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

DULUTH, Minn. — The St. Louis County Board held a public input meeting on the proposed 2026 operating budget and property tax levy.

The budget is expected to exceed $560 million to help fund essential public safety services, health and human services, infrastructure, and general government.

It includes $202 million brought in through the property tax levy, which is a 12.4% increase from last year.

This increase is partly offset by a 7% rise in the county’s net tax capacity; however, there are concerns.

“This year has been the toughest challenge, for sure,” said Keith Musolf, St. Louis County District 5 commissioner. “Nobody, I don’t believe anybody on this board wanted to face a 12% Levy. There are many mechanisms we heard tonight, what drives these costs, and a lot of it comes from the federal government and the state government handing them down to us.”

For those who are looking to learn more, the next public meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Duluth Courthouse.