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The 2025 preliminary budget and property tax levy and abatement of the former Burger King property are big items on the West St. Paul City Council agenda. Other items of note include cannabis licensing and zoning, a public hearing assessment, and burying utilities at the Smith/Dodd intersection.
2025 Budget
Council will consider the preliminary 2025 budget and property tax levy. This sets a cap for the property tax levy increase—it can be reduced from that number before it’s officially approved in December, but it cannot be increased.
- Budget numbers: The city is proposing a $46 million budget with a property tax levy increase of 6.84%, which amounts to $116 for the average family. This is down from the initial 7.4% proposed increase. Last year’s budget was $41.6 million with a 5.97% increase. Based on data from nine other Dakota County cities available so far, this is the second lowest increase.
Burger King Abatement
Burger King closed in 2018, proposed plans for a new building, and was demolished in 2021. The plans never went forward, the plans are now expired, and the property sat vacant, never restored after the demolition.
- The city has had multiple weed complaints and with no new plans moving forward has asked the property owner to restore the property.
- The property owner has not complied, insisting they are working on new plans.
- The city is now considering an abatement order from the court.
Other Items on the Agenda
- Mill & overlay assessment: Council will hold a public hearing for the 2024 mill & overlay projects on sections of Kraft Road West, Richard Circle, Teresa Drive, Vivian Lane, Kathleen Drive, Muriel Boulevard, Robert Street Frontage Road, Carol Lane, Audrey Drive, Westview Drive, Scott Lane, and Holiday Road. The assessments work out to $1,717 per lot (down from the estimated $1,886).
- Cannabis: During the Open Council Work Session (OCWS), Council will discuss cannabis business zoning and licensing. Staff is proposing a 1,000-foot buffer around school properties for cannabis retailers and a limit of two retailer licenses.
- Underground Utilities: Council needs to give direction on whether or not to bury utilities at the Smith/Dodd intersection as part of the realignment. This issue came up earlier and Council gave initial approval to proceed with estimates. The estimates came in at $300,000 to $400,000 (under the expected $450,000 to $650,000).
- Conditional use permit: Accident Care Chiropractic and Massage seeks a conditional use permit to allow a medical office at Southview Square mall in the former T-Mobile space. Planning Commission held a public hearing (no one spoke) and approved the request unanimously.
- Partnership: During the OCWS, Council will discuss a partnership with the St. Paul Parks Conservancy.
- Cable: Northern Dakota County Cable Communications Commission (NDC4) is asking member cities to accept reduced franchise fees to help them with increased costs and reduced revenue due to people switching from cable to streaming.
Engage
Watch: The public can watch the meeting live on Town Square TV or cable TV starting at 6:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. for the OCWS) on Monday.
Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.
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