Our View: Raising taxes becomes a burden

Rarely does a government body tell us: “We have enough money. We don’t need so much next year.”

No, taxes usually go up. And when they do, it’s inevitable that people complain.

Last week, the city council voted to increase Cloquet’s property tax levy by 1.7 percent. That’s pretty good. Property taxes make up about 14 percent of the city’s total budget, but the property tax is considered the crucial component of a community’s contribution to its city. If a city is managed well, it provides the services its citizens require in an efficient and cost-

effective manner, and the local property tax levy is modest. If a city is faced with crises, mismanagement or unplanned expenses, then tax increases are often higher. Long-term goals, such a capital improvement project or an expansion of city services, can also cause the levy to increase.

Last year, the city’s property tax levy actually decreased by 1.5 percent; so, combined with this year’s modest increase, taxes have stayed pretty flat in Cloquet. From that perspective, this should be welcome news.

We can’t forget the half-cent sales tax, either. Without the local-option sales tax paying for myriad park improvements and even some infrastructure projects, you can bet the tax hikes would have been more substantial, or those wonderful projects delayed indefinitely.

This doesn’t mean we can rest easy. The local levy could increase by a significant amount in the next few years, possibly even by double digits. This is due to plans for a new public works garage and other projects outlined in the city’s capital improvement plan. But that will be decided next year, and with proper planning and a willingness to hold the line on some budget items, the property tax levy may not be as severe as planned.

We know taxes are the price we pay to live in such a great place — where the snow gets cleared quickly, the water is clean, and the library rocks — but we also know many of our residents are living paycheck to paycheck.

As such, we hope the city will carefully consider future building projects (public works or the hockey shelters, for example) and think outside the box to fulfill needs without increasing property taxes too much.