BRAINERD — Crow Wing County commissioners' consensus was to set a preliminary property tax levy increase at 6.49% for 2026.

The County Board members agreed on the levy during a budget committee meeting. A vote on a resolution to set the preliminary levy is expected at the Sept. 16 regular meeting. Once set, the preliminary levy can be decreased but it cannot be increased.

Earlier, the board looked at a potential levy increase of 6.41% versus 6.49% with a difference of $38,194.

Board Chair Steve Barrows said he is concerned and believed the county needed to be careful in the next couple of years in terms of the budget.

“I need to express this — that what's coming forward in ‘27, ‘28 and ‘29 because the actions that are taking place in Washington, D.C., are going to be in effect until th

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