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October 14, 2025 St. Anthony Council Work Session - 6 <br />Option 1 – Not Funding Additional Firefighter/Paramedics – 5.44% 2026 Levy Increase. Aspects for <br />Council to Consider: <br />Does not address the steadily increasing call load for medical calls that necessitate an immediate <br />response. <br />Existing staff are routinely managing overlapping medical calls. <br />The city is running a risk of staff fatigue and turnover. <br />Does not address the OSHA standard for “two in, two out” on active fire and rescue scenes. <br />Similar levy increase to 2025 (5.34%). <br />Option 2 – Absorb the cost of 3 additional Firefighter/Paramedics (1 for each shift) – 9.18% 2026 Levy <br />increase. Aspects for Council to Consider: <br />Significant levy increases compared to the long-term trend that can adversely impact residents, <br />in addition to other taxing authorities’ levy increases. <br />A significant increase is directly tied to additional staff positions. <br />No levy growth beyond inflationary pressure elsewhere in the budget. <br />Preserves all “One-Time” funds from closed TIF districts for known, but not yet quantified, <br />infrastructure needs. <br />Retains the greatest amount of flexibility for future needs, requests, and unexpected costs. <br />Option 3a – Use 2/3 of available funds over 6 years to reduce levy by $100,000 for each of 6 years – <br />8.14% Levy Increase. Aspects for Council to Consider: <br />Significant levy increase compared to the long-term trend that can adversely impact residents, <br />in addition to other taxing authorities’ levy increases. <br />Significant increase is directly tied to additional staff positions – no levy growth beyond <br />inflationary pressure elsewhere in the budget. <br />Preserves some “One-Time” funds from closed TIF districts to consider parks, <br />amenities/infrastructure requests/needs. <br />The existing tennis court, used primarily for Pickle Ball, needs major repairs. <br />Option 3b – Use all available funds over 6 years to reduce levy by $150,000 for each of 6 years – 7.63% <br />Levy Increase. Aspects for Council to Consider. <br />Eliminates the need for new park amenities and infrastructure needs. <br />Major projects/amenity requests can be considered if grant funding is awarded. <br />Limits the City’s options over the coming 6 years as additional requests and needs are brought <br />forward. <br />Option 3c – Use all available funds over 3 years to reduce levy by $300,000 for each of 3 years – 6.08% <br />Levy Increase. Aspects for Council to Consider. <br />Will result in a significant levy increase for 2029 when funds are exhausted. <br />Eliminates the need for new park amenities requests and infrastructure needs. <br />Major projects/amenity requests can be considered if grant funding is awarded. <br />Limits the City’s options over the coming 6 years as additional requests and needs are brought <br />forward. <br />Staff recommends – Firefighter/Paramedic staffing is a key priority for 2026 to maintain service level <br />expectations and staff capacity. Use of one-time funds to lower the levy would limit options for amenity <br />requests and options to adapt to challenges in future budget cycles. <br />8