St. Louis County commissioners gave final approval to a 2010 budget Tuesday that should spur little or no tax increase for most home and business owners.
The total budget of about $326.7 million was little changed from the draft budget approved in September. The budget is 9.4 percent below that of 2009.
Most of the budget is so-called "pass through" money from the federal and state governments for programs administered by the county. Commissioners have more control over about $107.4 million that must be paid for by county property owners.
The commissioners' actions Tuesday raises the county property tax levy by 1.3 percent, a move that will bring in an extra $1.34 million from taxpayers.
But because several special taxing districts will expire in 2010, making more property taxable, most individual taxpayers' bills should remain stable or even go down.
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County administrator Kevin Gray said if no other changes occur, the owner of a $150,000 home would see the county's share of taxes go down about $20 in 2010 from 2009.
But don't spend that money just yet. The county isn't the only player on the property tax bill, and property owners' tax bills also include levies by their cities or townships, school districts and special taxing authorities.
One exception to the lower tax is seasonal recreation cabins, which are seeing higher taxes due to changes in state tax regulations.
Commissioner Keith Nelson of Eveleth praised the work of County Auditor Don Dicklich and Gray, the first-year county administrator, for developing the tight budget.
"But the real winners here -- are the constituents of ours," Nelson said.
The county was able to wrestle its budget relatively easily despite reductions in state aid after the county cut its workforce by about 200 employees when it shed the Chris Jensen nursing home in Duluth, and its skilled care program in two Duluth senior citizen apartment buildings.
