Benton County proposes $13M increase in spending, 5.5% tax levy increase

Becca Most, St. Cloud Times
·1 min read

FOLEY ― Benton County's proposed budget is more than $13 million higher than last year, or 26.6%, totaling $62,362,459. The operating budget will increase $5.4 million due to a larger road construction program, according to county documents.

Benton County's proposed 2023 levy is about 5.5% more than it was in 2022 to total $22,585,122. This includes $14 million in the revenue fund, $5.8 million in the human services fund, $2.4 million in the highway fund, $314,000 in the debt service fund and $26,000 in the tax abatement fund.

Due to an expected 17% increase in market value, with a house valued at $235,000, property owners can expect to see property taxes increase $70 in 2023, or $5.83 a month, according to county documents.

The Benton County Courts Facility is pictured Thursday, August 5, 2021, in Foley.
The Benton County Courts Facility is pictured Thursday, August 5, 2021, in Foley.

More:Stearns County proposes $8M increase in spending, 4.3% tax levy increase

Employee compensation, general wage adjustments and benefits make up most of the 2023 levy increase. The proposed budget also includes a 15% increase in employee health insurance premiums.

Also included in the proposed budget is funding for a peer support team in the sheriff's office to provide law enforcement personnel with mental health services.

The annual truth in taxation public meeting will take place Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. in the Benton County boardroom.

Becca Most is a cities reporter with the St. Cloud Times. Reach her at 320-241-8213 or bmost@stcloudtimes.com. Follow her on Twitter at @becca_most. 

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This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Benton County proposes $13M budget increase, 5.5% tax levy increase