County board sets preliminary levy

The Carlton County board of commissioners last week approved a preliminary 2-percent levy increase for the budget year 2021. This is set to raise $28,790,977 from taxable property in Carlton County. The final levy amount will be approved sometime in December with a Truth in Taxation hearing Dec. 8 at the transportation building.

Several areas of the budget could reduce the increase. The final figure for health insurance has not been finalized. The gas tax revenues are expected to be down just 11 percent instead of the projected 15 percent.

Enbridge and Northern Natural Gas are going to get some tax refunds, according to a settlement from the Minnesota Tax Court. Acting auditor/treasurer Kathy Korteum said that the money will come from excess funds but “will not make a big hole.”

In other notes, commissioner Gary Peterson reported that the township representative for the committee of the whole, Jim Newman of Skelton Township, died Sept. 25. Newman was a longtime township supervisor, active in the county fair, and on the Barnum School Board. He and his wife had been recognized as grand marshals for the Barnum Spring Fever Days, noting their strong leadership in support of rural areas.