The St. Louis County Board met at the Cook Community Center, with three agenda items of particular note.
Commissioners approved the 2027 maximum property tax levy, limiting the increase to 6.25%, or $12.67 million, despite even higher operating costs and budget pressures. Levy impacts will be offset by the county’s estimated 7% property tax base growth this past year, which includes a record-setting $337 million in new construction.
As was previously reported, the County took numerous actions to cut spending and absorb an additional $12.1 million in operational expenses through staff reductions, restructuring, consolidation or reduction of services, and targeted use of fund balance. This was necessary due to increasing expenses, including costs that were shifted to counties to implement federal and state programs. More information on factors shaping the levy can be found here: County Board considers 2027 property tax levy.
Minnesota counties are required by law to set their maximum property tax levy - that portion of the budget collected through property taxes - by the end of September. As the Board and staff work to finalize the 2027 budget over the next few months, the levy amount may be reduced, but it cannot increase. Commissioners are expected to vote on the final budget and levy for 2027 on December 15.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the County Board held a public hearing following a petition from some Greenwood Township property owners requesting to split from the township and instead join Goodwill Township. Following numerous questions about property tax impacts and communications to property owners, commissioners voted to continue the public hearing to November 10, when the Board meeting will be held at Gilbert City Hall, 16 South Broadway Street in Gilbert.
The County Board, Sheriff Gordon Ramsay and Arrowhead EMS also took time to honor nearly three dozen emergency responders and 911 staff for their extraordinary efforts in three separate incidents that all occurred less than a week apart around Memorial Day Weekend. In each case, thanks to quick and collaborative work, a life was saved.
The first incident happened May 27 in Morse Township. Responders provided immediate life-saving interventions, restored vital signs on scene, and kept the patient stabilized during transport to a hospital. Responding agencies recognized include Ely Area Ambulance, Morse-Fall Lake First Responders, Ely Police Department, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, and 911.
The second incident occurred on May 30, Emergency 911 staff successfully provided instruction to a man to perform CPR on his father until responders arrived. That response included use of the Sheriff’s Office’s LUCAS device that provides automated chest compressions. Agencies honored include St. Louis County 911 and Sheriff’s deputies, Ely Area Ambulance Service, Morse Township First Responders, and Babbitt Fire and Police Departments.
The third event occurred in Lake County on June 1, with both Ely Area Ambulance and Morse Township First Responders assisting in providing life support measures to stabilize and revive the patient prior to transport to a hospital.
St. Louis County Sheriff’s Emergency Support Services Administrator Dewey Johnson, who oversees 911 emergency communications shared that during the summer months of June, July and August, the 911 team assisted with 42,000 incidents, connecting people with the responders who can help. Johnson also noted that the majority of response agencies in St. Louis County are volunteers.
