For the first time in more than 20 years, Ramsey County taxpayers may go two years in a row without seeing an increase in the county's property tax levy.
Ramsey County Manager Julie Kleinschmidt told the County Board on Tuesday that she is recommending no change in next year's property tax levy, which will fund the second year of the county's 2014-15 biennial budget.
She said that additional state and federal aid should cover an anticipated $10 million increase over this year's spending.
The County Board last year approved the biennial budget without a hike in the tax levy, which will generate about $270.4 million to help pay for the proposed $613.4 million budget.
The budget will include funding for expansion of the county's Shoreview and White Bear Lake libraries, road improvements, pollution remediation at the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) site in Arden Hills and operations at the county's newly acquired Vadnais Sports Center.
Kleinschmidt said the focus of this budget season will be on a countywide performance management review.
The board will hold several department hearings and take public testimony before adopting the budget in December.
KEVIN DUCHSCHERE
