Duluth mayor to present budget proposal

Mayor Don Ness’ office announced this afternoon that he will present his proposal for the 2013 levy and general budget to the City Council at 6:30 p.m. today. The office is calling the 1.6 percent levy increase, the lowest recommended increase since 2000.

Other highlights of the mayor’s proposals include $73.7 million in budget expenditures, $1 million less than costs in the 2012 budget and a proposed general fund budget that marks the fifth consecutive year of decreases costs.

The presentation comes before the regular City Council meeting and is in council chambers on the third floor of City Hall. The council will vote on a final levy in December.

The council is required to set a preliminary levy figure in by Sept. 10 that will be followed by department budget presentations. The final levy number could go down from the preliminary one but could not exceed it.

Check back to duluthnewstribune.com for details on the 2013 budget as they emerge. The city plans to post the mayor’s proposal Tuesday on its website.

Tags: city of duluth, news, money, politics