DULUTH — City councilors didn’t deliver the fiscally conservative property tax proposal Monday night that Mayor Roger Reinert initially sought, but they pledged to work with his administration toward a budget that holds the municipal levy in check.

Reinert had proposed a 4.13% increase in next year’s levy, with 1.43% of that margin offset by the growing value of Duluth’s property tax base, largely due to new construction. The net effect, if the mayor had his way, would necessitate a net rate increase of about 2.7%.

At large Councilor Azrin Awal offered an amendment to boost that maximum levy by another 2% Monday, explaining that she would appreciate more time to finesse the city budget, as additional details become available.

“The max levy we set today does not necessarily have to be t

See Full Page