Becker County approves 5.96% preliminary tax levy for 2024

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – The Becker County Board of Commissioners approved a preliminary 5.96% tax levy increase for 2024

Part of that levy increase will cover the costs of an additional assistant Becker County attorney; a new lieutenant position at the Becker County Sheriff’s Office; and a part-time employee who will assist the county auditor-treasurer with administering the 2024 election.

Barry Nelson, chair of the Becker County Board, said the levy is higher than he would’ve liked, but they needed to cover increased wages for county employees from last year and further increases this year.

“I think it’s fair to say that the reason why this is, in my opinion, so high is because of last year’s negotiation with employees,” said Nelson. “We gave them more than we had budgeted last year, so we are having to pay for that and, plus, what we anticipate for the current year.”

Pat Oman, county administrator for Becker County, said the 2024 budget doesn’t include the majority of the one-time state funds passed by the MN legislature during this year’s session.

“I want the board to know that (the budget) does not include any of the additional funds that we received legislatively with the exception of the county program aid that we’ve incorporated into the budget,” said Oman. “But all these other funds, including special general funds are not part of this budget.”

The 2024 levy will raise nearly $26.1 million from Becker County residents, which is about $1.4 million more than last year. The levy will go toward funding Becker County’s nearly $68 million budget; an increase of $5 million over 2023.