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A Council member’s absence made a light agenda even lighter, with a minor charter amendment and the consent agenda the only official business. Council also got an update on the budget and property tax levy.
2026 Budget
Council did get a budget update during the Open Council Work Session (OCWS).
- Property tax: The proposed levy increase is 7.38%, down from the published 8% that went out in statements to residents. That works out to $264 per year for a median value home.
- Still increasing: City Manager Nate Burkett noted that even if the levy increase were 0%, the median home would still see a roughly $160 increase.
- Looking ahead: Future projections show a 9.85% increase in 2027, but then it drops to an average of 4.5% for 2028-2035, though these are just projections. Burkett also noted that further cuts could be made now, but they’d just boost the increase in 2027.
- Meeting with residents: Mayor Dave Napier talked about meeting with residents concerned about rising taxes: “It got a little uncomfortable, but that’s OK,” he said. Napier thanked them for reaching out and welcomed more of it. Napier argued that much of the budget is keeping up with necessary expenses, and not doing so is more expensive in the long run. “Most everyone agreed that kicking the can wasn’t a wise decision,” Napier said.
- Timing: The final budget and property tax increase will be approved at the December 8 meeting.
Charter Amendments
Multiple charter amendments were on the agenda, but since charter amendments require a unanimous vote of the full Council and with Council Member Robyn Gulley’s absence, the final votes on three of the four were continued to the December 8 meeting.
- Absence: Gulley, who announced a run for state senate earlier this month, has now missed two meetings in a row. Last year Gulley missed more than a quarter of City Council meetings.
- Continued: Final votes on amendments changing the process for vacating public right of way (and a corresponding ordinance), adding an alternate process for designating an official publication, and increasing the threshold for a citizen petition to force an audit were all continued to the December 8 meeting.
- Passed: An amendment to bring petitions, referendums and recall election forms in line with state law passed unanimously and will come for a final vote on December 8.
150 Thompson Delayed Again
The purchase agreement and TIF district for the 150 Thompson redevelopment project were continued for the fourth time to the December 8 meeting. The city continues to hammer out the final details with the developer and whatever a potential prevailing wage exemption might be.
Engage
- Watch: City Council, OCWS, and EDA meetings are archived online.
- Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.
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