09-10-2025 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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1UT I Ictel M-, CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 RESOL UTION NO. 2025-9-138 —APPROVING NEW ON -SALE AND SUNDAY SALE LIQUOR LICENSES FOR YIA YANG, OWNER OF BAILEY HALL., AT 2900 RICE STREET #380, SUBJECT TO SUBMISSION OF ALL REQUIRED 17VFORMA TION AND S TA TE OF MINNES 0 TA APPROVAL The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Kwapick. Ayes (5). Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. ADOPT 2026 PRELIMINARY BUDGET AND LEVY The Finance Director reviewed the actions before the Council tonight to adopt the 2026 preliminary property tax levy, set the 2026 budget public hearing date and time, and set the 2026 debt service levy at zero. He provided additional information on City budgets, including the general fund budget, capital funds budget, special revenue funds budget, utility funds budget, debt service funds budget, and TIF. He explained how the Strategic Plan vision for 2030 is used to guide the budget decisions and provided information on the annual budget process and calendar. He explained how property tax dollars are distributed between the County, School District, City, and others, and how the City uses the property tax dollars among its departments. He stated that it is requested to adopt a preliminary 2026 levy increase of 11.56 percent, which is $569,938. He provided comparisons to other communities and information on tax capacity, tax rate, and tax impact. He also reviewed key impacts to the property tax levy and information on revenues, expenses, and potential ways to reduce the levy. He reminded residents of two available refunds related to property taxes. Mayor Fischer thanked the Finance Director for leading them through this year-round process of the budget. He recognized that the preliminary budget and levy are not to exceed amounts, and there are potential decreases that can occur between now and December. He recognized that the tax capacity for the community has grown, which means the levy increase is not the individual increase that taxpayers would see. He commented on the emergency services costs, which are an increase of almost 7.5 percent to the levy. He noted that the entire City operation is within the other four percent increase to the levy. He recognized the great work of staff to identify cost savings opportunities. The Finance Director commented that $120,000 is identified for the community building as well and is a strategic move of the city to plan for that expense. He commented that in order to accommodate that cost, staff were very frugal in the department budgets. Mayor Fischer recognized the discussions they have had related to the community building and how to offset that future cost. Malone commented that they have reviewed all the numbers in detail, and the City of Little Canada is in a great position as it does not have debt service payments right now. She stated the city is handling the debt payments from the water and sewer fund. She was excited for the next step with the community building and the opportunities that would provide. Kwapick cointnented that the city is in a good spot where this is a very reasonable level, and they have tried to keep any increases as minimal as possible. M