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noted this percentage could go down prior to being approved by the Council on December 9. She reported the General Fund is the City’s operating fund and accounts for most city-wide activities. <br /> She provided the Council with a summary on General Fund revenue and expenditure changes for 2026. She described how property taxes were broken down between the City, county and school <br /> district, as well as defining how the City utilized its tax dollars. She compared the City’s proposed levy to the levy of comparable communities. She reviewed the resources that were <br /> available to residents to assist with property tax relief. Staff discussed how the proposed levy would impact the median value homeowner and asked for comments or questions from the <br /> City Council. <br /> <br />Mayor Lindstrom thanked staff for the detailed presentation on the budget and tax levy. He opened the Truth in Taxation Public Hearing at 6:20 p.m. <br /> <br />Greg Gunn, 5090 Irondale Road, asked if the assistance for property taxes that was available for seniors was just for City property taxes. Finance Director Bauman reported this was a <br /> program offered by the State of Minnesota Department of Revenue. <br /> <br />Mr. Gunn questioned how he could contest the value of his home. Finance Director Bauman explained this would be done through the County in March or April. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the City’s road improvement projects. <br /> <br />Mr. Gunn stated he was disappointed with how Irondale Road had deteriorated in the past two years. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained he was disappointed as <br /> well and noted the City had paid to address the concern. <br /> <br />Jake Miller, 7927 Eastwood Road, expressed concern with the fact the City was coming in with a levy that was at 9% this year. He stated it would be hard for residents to support this <br /> given how the City came in at 6% last year. He discussed the budgeting process that he follows at work and urged the City to reconsider its process in order to encourage cuts and to <br /> limit the impact on residents going forward. <br /> <br />Mayor Lindstrom thanked Mr. Miller for attending. He stated the levy increase last year was 8.5%. He provided further information on the process the Council follows for the budget and <br /> tax levy. He was of the opinion that the tax levy for 2026 would come in lower than 9%. He discussed how all cities were dealing with increases at this time and noted this was not unique <br /> to just Mounds View. He stated the vast majority of the City’s budget comes down to people and the Council has to make important decisions about people and services. He noted the police <br /> department was short staffed at this time and the administrative department had only six staff members. He indicated the Council works to be very thoughtful in the staff members that <br /> are brought on with the City. <br /> <br />Mr. Miller thanked the Council for working to try and save residents money through organized trash collection. He understood not all residents in the community supported this action. <br /> <br /> <br />Mayor Lindstrom reported that the Council would continue to work to provide residents with price transparency which hopefully helps save residents money in the long run.