St Louis County Board Meeting September 1, 2026

The St. Louis County Board meeting on September 1, 2026, included significant discussions on budget and procurement matters. The board approved the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) 2027 budget and a property tax levy increase of 50% to $571,008.80 to support housing projects. The county also approved a 6.25% maximum preliminary property tax levy for 2027, reflecting a $12.7 million increase to fund core services including public health, safety, and infrastructure, while addressing rising healthcare costs and mandated services. Additionally, the board awarded a contract for grading, bituminous resurfacing, and ADA improvements to Masabi Bituminous for a trail reroute project. They also approved the purchase of a waste handling crawler dozer to support increased landfill operations. The meeting highlighted ongoing efforts to manage budget pressures through restructuring, leveraging reserves, and exploring new revenue sources, while maintaining essential county services and infrastructure.