DULUTH — Incumbent 4th District city councilor Tara Swenson and her challenger, David Clanaugh, went head-to-head Monday morning, explaining why each thinks they deserve to represent their neighborhood constituents come Nov. 4.

Both spoke to the need to contain costs, as property taxes place an increasing burden on residents, during a candidate forum hosted by the News Tribune and Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce.

Swenson said property tax concerns have been a recurring theme she hears about as she door-knocks in the district. She noted that the city was able to avoid property tax rate increases last year and now is contemplating a 2.7% increase, on top of a property base that has appreciated by about 1.4% in value.

“This is looking internally at operations," Swenson said. "That’s what w

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