NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 15, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: Dana Kazel, Communications Manager
218-725-5049 (office) • 218-591-2219 (cell)
St. Louis County Board approves $420 million budget for 2021
The St. Louis County Board has unanimously approved its 2021 budget at $420,280,062. The budget recognizes the increased need for certain county services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the uncertainty surrounding continued costs resulting from the pandemic, as well as the need to reduce the financial impact on taxpayers.
Priority areas in the budget includes support for vulnerable adults and children, and individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, and sustained investment in economic development and technology. The 2021 budget also reflects increased investment in roads and bridges, and incorporates structural changes to health care costs and employee contract commitments.
Just over a third of the budget (35%) is funded by the property tax levy. The final levy was approved at $147.7 million, which is a 1.48% increase from this year. Most property owners are expected to see a decrease in the county portion of their property tax statement because the overall property tax base has increased by 4%.
Commissioner Keith Nelson, who chairs the Finance Committee, thanked his fellow commissioners and county staff, saying "It took tremendous collaboration and a lot of work to bring forward this budget and levy, which works for our community."
Board Chair Mike Jugovich added, "With this budget, we will continue to deliver necessary services to our citizens while also respecting how the cost of these services impact everyone who owns property in St. Louis County."
More information on the 2021 budget can be found online at stlouiscountymn.gov/budget. St. Louis County serves 200,000 residents spanning 7,000 square miles.
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