The Carlton County board of commissioners last week approved a preliminary 2-percent levy increase for the budget year 2021. This is set to raise $28,790,977 from taxable property in Carlton County. The final levy amount will be approved sometime in December with a Truth in Taxation hearing Dec. 8 at the transportation building.

Several areas of the budget could reduce the increase. The final figure for health insurance has not been finalized. The gas tax revenues are expected to be down just 11 percent instead of the projected 15 percent.

Enbridge and Northern Natural Gas are going to get...