NEWS RELEASE

St. Louis County Board Sets Budget

Tuesday, the St. Louis County Board voted for an annual budget that included a 5% decrease in overall spending, from $266 million in 2003 to $253 million in 2004. The property tax levy for 2004 of $85,340,393 represents an increase in actual growth of only 1.25%, lower than the increase in the Consumer Price Index. The total 2004 St. Louis County budget is 252,911,173. The St. Louis County Board has averaged a 4.05% annual increase in property taxes over the past eight years.

St. Louis County’s services, such as 9-1-1 coverage; roads and bridges construction and maintenance; Sheriff’s protection; Social Services for families, the disabled, and the elderly; Courts, Probation, and County Attorney services; and Nursing Home and Public Health services are provided by its 2273 employees, 224 fewer than in 2002.

For more information about St. Louis County’s budget, go to www.co.st-louis.mn.us and click on "Budget", or call the County Administrator’s Office at 218-726-2450 for a free copy of the St. Louis County Truth in Taxation booklet.

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