The Duluth City Council voted on a flat levy increase and to continue funding the city’s Mobile Crisis Response Team on Monday.
With a unanimous vote, the city council approved a flat levy increase of 1.85% for the next year. Officials say the increase will be paid for entirely by new economic growth in the city, so residents will not need to worry about their property taxes increasing. According to a Northern News Now report, Mayor Roger Reinert says easing the property tax burden on residents was one of their main goals and this is the first time the city has had a flat levy increase in a decade.
Public comments at the meeting revolved around funding for the Mobile Crisis Response Team. The program is run by the Human Development Center in Duluth and provides free emergency responses in crisis situations. That includes responding to calls where law enforcement authorities may not be needed, or to calls for nonviolent mental health episodes where a law enforcement response may not be the best option.
Most residents expressed their displeasure with the potential cuts to the service, saying it provides crucial resources for Duluth residents and is being used more often.
The initial budget proposal by Mayor Reinert had cut funding for the program in an effort to keep the budget lean. However, after city council members found ways to continue funding the program without raising taxes, Mayor Reinert agreed the program should stay in place at least for the next year.
The city council voted unanimously to maintain funding for the program for 2025. Funding for the program beyond next year is still in question. The city council will vote on the final 2025 budget in December.
