Excise tax hearing draws just one speaker

The Carlton County Board of Commissioners approved continuing the $20 excise tax at its meeting Monday after a hearing at which only one comment was made by the public.

Reporter and Automba Township chair Dan Reed supported more work on rural county gravel roads with the excise tax and half-cent sales tax revenues.

“This spring mud season showed many weaknesses in the miles of county gravel roads,” Reed said. “Poor roads have hurt rural residential and new home construction. We don’t expect a tarred road in front of our houses in the rural areas, but at least we should be able to get to town. These funds are needed on our rural infrastructure.”

County Engineer Jin- Yeene Neumann said county officials have heard about the roads.

“County Road 156 in Kalevala Township was added to the list and the trucks are hauling on it as I speak,” she said.

The $20 excise tax is paid on the sale of cars and trucks by local dealers and RV sales, with a total of $4,610 from this source this last July.

Work continues on the 2020 county budget. The county board approved a preliminary 3.9 percent increase in the tax levy for next year. The Truth in Taxation public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Transportation Building. County coordinator Dennis Genereau said health insurance costs and possible other savings are still being worked on.

State Rep. Mike Sundin attended the meeting. He said he appreciated the support for the Highway 210 waterline, upgrade of the Northeast Regional Corrections Center facilities, and the generating plant for WLSSD during the Legislative tour to get input for a new state bonding bill this next year. Savings for running the WLSSD plant in Duluth would be shared with county users.