Detroit Lakes Approves Preliminary Budget and Tax Levy Increase of 9.86%

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – The city of Detroit Lakes approved the preliminary 2023 budget and tax levy, Tuesday.

The proposed levy includes an increase of 9.86%, or just over $650,000 for 2023. Heidi Tumberg, the city’s finance officer says the increase is due to several factors including a $144,000 decrease in Local Government Aid (LGA), an increase in wages and health insurance costs for city workers, the addition of a full-time Fire Chief in 2023 as well as general costs on the rise due to inflation including the price of natural gas.

Detroit Lakes Mayor Matt Brenk says the increase might seem like a lot, but it’s possible residents may pay less in taxes next year, “We’re also projecting that our tax base will grow by about 12%, so if folks don’t have an increase in their assessed value they’ll actually see their city portion of their real estate taxes go down a little bit.”

Residents will be able to make public comments on the budget and levy before they’re finalized, Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 6:01 p.m. – the budget and tax levy can be decreased, but cannot be increased now that the preliminary budget and levy have been approved.

Detroit Lakes Preliminary 2023 Budget & Tax Levy