HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2025/12/01APPROVED
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Truth In Taxation Meeting
December 1, 2025
Mounds View City Hall
2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112
6:00 P.M.
1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER at 6:00 P.M.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL: Smith, Clark, Gunn, Lindstrom (arrived at 6:03 p.m.), Meehlhause.
NOT PRESENT: .
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A. Monday, December 1, 2025, City Council Agenda.
MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To Approve the Monday, December 1, 2025, agenda as presented.
Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
5. COUNCIL BUSINESS
Public Hearing: Truth in Taxation Presentation.
Finance Director Bauman reviewed the proposed 2026 budget in detail with the Council noting property tax statements had been sent out by Ramsey County. She indicated it was the City’s
mission to provide high quality public services in a fiscally responsible manner. She discussed the variables that impact tax bills and described the process the City follows in order
to approve the budget and tax levy. She commented on why tax bills change, which had to do with market value changes, along with the budgets and levies of various jurisdictions, special
assessments, voter approved referendums, as well as changes in federal and state mandates, changes in aid, or other legislative changes. She discussed how property values in Mounds
View had risen by 2.85% in 2025 and commented on how property taxes are calculated based on a property’s value. She reported this meeting would allow the public time to voice concerns
and explained the final budget would be approved by the Council at their Tuesday, December 9, 2025, meeting.
Finance Director Bauman explained the proposed property tax levy would increase by 9%. It was
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.
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
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
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
City Council.
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.
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
program offered by the State of Minnesota Department of Revenue.
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.
Further discussion ensued regarding the City’s road improvement projects.
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
well and noted the City had paid to address the concern.
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
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
limit the impact on residents going forward.
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
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
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
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
are brought on with the City.
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.
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.
Mr. Miller discussed how the City had spent funding on the mermaid and a new parking lot for the splash pad. He reported the new fitness court was also a new expense for the City. He
indicated these were all items the community had questions about.
Mayor Lindstrom commented on how the City was looking into municipal cannabis and noted this could be a significant revenue source that could assist with easing some of the tax burden
on residents in the future. He discussed how proceeds from conduit bond financing projects assisted with covering the expense of the fitness court and Tribute Park. He reported the
City completed the fitness court through the assistance of grant funding as well.
Mr. Miller inquired if the City had considered installing a concession stand at the splash pad in order to assist with offsetting maintenance costs.
Mayor Lindstrom stated he liked this idea and noted the splash pad was one of the most utilized amenities in the community. He commented on how the new parking lot improved safety for
visitors to the splash pad. He further discussed the ways the City pursues cost sharing with other communities.
Mr. Miller explained his property taxes were slated to increase by over 15% for the coming year, which did not include the school levy. He stated he would like to remain in the community,
but this increase was extremely high. He indicated all bills were on the rise and noted residents were feeling the pinch.
Council Member Meehlhause commented on how the City receives $1 million in Local Government Aid each year. He noted the State was projecting to have a budget deficit in 2027 which meant
LGA would possibly be cut. He indicated the 9% preliminary levy includes a reduction on LGA reliance.
Council Member Smith asked when the City would be notified about LGA. Finance Director Bauman commented the City received notice several months ago.
Mayor Lindstrom reported the City would receive LGA in 2026 but may not receive LGA in 2027.
Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, appreciated the fact the Councilmembers were taxpayers. However, he encouraged the Council to change their mindset and to further consider what services
were necessary to provide for Mounds View residents. He questioned if the Council was truly considering the impact of the special projects that had been completed in the past year,
especially the impact this was having on seniors. He believed Mounds View residents were receiving great value in this City but noted all costs were on the rise and for seniors living
on social security, their income was limited. He discussed how the Council has continually asked for increases in the levy amount noting the limit used to be 5%, then 6.5% and now it
was up to 9%. He stated he was disappointed in the manner in which money was spent by the City Council in 2025. He urged the Council to work this number back down to 6.5%.
Mohammad Sabur, 7285 Hidden Hollow Court, commented he would like to better understand the City’s financial position and the amount of cash the City has on hand. He reported revenues
and
expenditures were not supposed to increase by more than 7.5% in 2026 and questioned why the Council was proposing a 9% levy increase.
Council Member Gunn explained the preliminary levy was set at 9% and noted this amount could go down. She reported the Council has been working to further refine expenditures in order
to bring in the final levy below 9%.
Mayor Lindstrom reported the Council would be further discussing the levy and budget at the worksession meeting following the Truth in Taxation meeting and noted the final levy would
be approved by the City Council on Tuesday, December 9.
Council Member Meehlhause reported the State Auditor recommends the City maintain a fund balance of 35% to 50% of the general fund budget. He stated the reason for this was because the
City was only paid property taxes twice a year. He noted the City currently has a 50% fund balance.
Mayor Lindstrom suggested the City hold a budget town hall in October of each year, if there was enough interest from the public.
Mr. Sabur stated he was born and raised in Mounds View and chose to purchase a home in Mounds View with his own family. He explained this was a tough time for families and seniors.
Mayor Lindstrom closed the Truth in Taxation Public Hearing at 7:10 p.m.
Council Member Gunn encouraged the public to view the SBM Fire parade on Tuesday, December 2.
Mayor Lindstrom invited the public to participate in the community meal which would be held on Monday, December 8 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Mermaid.
Mayor Lindstrom reported the tree lighting ceremony would be held on Friday, December 5 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
Mayor Lindstrom stated there would be a town hall meeting at City Hall on Saturday, December 6 with the Attorney General and parents from Annunciation where the topic of gun violence
will be discussed.
Mayor Lindstrom indicated there would be a food distribution at the Community Center on Sunday, December 7 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
6. Next Council Work Session: Monday, December 1, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
Next Council Meeting: Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
Transcribed by:
Heidi Guenther
Minute Maker Secretarial