County explains 3% tax increase

Only three members of the public spoke at Wednesday’s Truth in Taxation hearing conducted by the Carlton County board and administration.

While small in number, the three speakers seemed to carry the concerns of a broad swath of citizens. Namely, why do taxes keep going up?

“If I don’t have enough money, I don’t go to my employer with a levy,” said Cody Gilbert, 43, of Moose Lake, who reported his property taxes have doubled in the seven years since he’s owned his home.

Gilbert was comparing how the levy on property owners is used to balance jurisdictional budgets. For instance, property taxes...