Thanks to Zak’s Auto Service and Bisanz Brothers for their support.
City Council discussion focused on next year’s budget with agreement to reduce the property tax increase by renovating the pool without any new bells or whistles. 150 Thompson approvals, a massage license revocation, and vacating alleys were other items considered.
2026 Budget
During the Open Council Work Session (OCWS), Council continued their conversation on next year’s budget.
- Past discussion: This expanded on the previous discussion with a potential property tax levy increase between 8.64% and 16.86%. Those figures were presented as two options, a baseline with everything staying the same but including inflation and expected increases and a revision with all priorities included. Staff was not proposing the higher figure as an actual increase, but giving it to show context. Notably, if the 2026 levy stayed the same as 2025 (which would require cutting services), the average single family home would still see a $91 increase in property taxes due to the increase in value and way property taxes work.
- New proposal: City Manager Nate Burkett presented a third option that hewed closer to the baseline, but did include a few new items—notably $3 million for pool renovation, a new engagement/communication/grant position (noted to bring in five to 20 times return on investment), art funding of $75,000 per year for city parks, and new park signage over the next five years. The ice arena would see about $700,000 in general maintenance and cosmetic improvements, though mostly not funded from the levy. Burkett’s proposal worked out to a 9.51% levy increase, or $333 per year for an average single family home.
- Counter proposal: Council Member John Justen argued for making cuts. “That 9.51% levy increase is brutal,” he said. “I think we have to cut this levy down.” He pointed specifically to the pool renovation and said the residents he’s talked to are fine with renovation to keep it going but not additional funds to expand or improve.
- Reaction: Other Council members agreed and Burkett said he thought cutting back the pool plans could potentially bring the levy increase closer to 7.5%, even though not all of the pool funding came from the levy. Burkett said he could look for other cuts and try to bring a proposal closer to 7%, though he expected that would create problems in future years. Mayor Dave Napier agreed: “You’re kicking the can literally down the road, where you have to pay for it eventually.”
- What’s next: Staff will continue to work on the budget and will bring back a proposal for approval in September. A maximum levy increase has to be set in September that can be lowered but not increased by the final approval in December. Burkett warned that he’d be asking for a slightly higher increase to account for unknowns, with the intention of lowering it by December.
150 Thompson Zoning
Council unanimously approved multiple zoning items related to the 150 Thompson redevelopment project at the former YMCA space.
- There were multiple rezonings on the project, changing the former shopping designation for Hy-Vee as well as allowing parks in the B-6 space.
- The Planning Commission approved the measures unanimously with no comments from the public on these specific items.
- The Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved another item to remove a traffic restriction on Thompson Avenue that was leftover from the Hy-Vee project.
- The bulk of the 150 Thompson approvals will come at the Sept. 8 City Council meeting.
Other Items on the Agenda:
- License revocation: City Council unanimously revoked the massage therapist license of Lihua Chen after charges of performing illicit sex acts in Apple Valley. Chen did not show up to defend herself.
- Vacating alleys: The Council held three public hearings to vacate unused alleys. Two were approved without much discussion, though a third—located east of Carrie Street between Annapolis and Hurley—was tabled for a future meeting. A resident argued it still served a public purpose and Council wanted to hear from more neighbors.
- Snow removal: Council approved a contract for this year’s sidewalk snow removal on Robert Street. No one spoke during the public hearing.
Engage
- Watch: City Council, OCWS, and EDA meetings are archived online.
- Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.
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