The Minneapolis Budget Committee held a public hearing Oct. 6 on Mayor Jacob Frey's recommended 2026 budget, which the mayor presented in August as a plan of just over $2 billion and a proposed property-tax levy increase of roughly 7.8 percent. Budget Director Jane DeCenza gave an overview of the budget book, tools for the public to estimate levy impacts and the committee's remaining hearing schedule.

"The goal is always a readable document that explains the key financial and policy decisions made by our city's policymakers," DeCenza said, describing improvements to department staffing detail and a new "2026 budget changes" section in the budget book. The Board of Estimate and Taxation in September set a maximum levy growth at 8 percent; DeCenza noted the committee would hold two remaining hearings, including a Nov. 19 hearing and the statutorily required truth-in-taxation hearing scheduled for Dec. 9.

Thirty-eight people registered to speak at the hearing. Public commenters focused on several recurring themes. Many asked the council to restore funding cuts proposed by the mayor for Speak Minneapolis, the city's public-access media center; Rebecca Smith, chief executive officer of Speak Minneapolis, told the committee the recommended $12,500 ongoing reduction "is unsustainable and will unfortunately reduce the number of classes, media resources, and opportunities available to residents." Several other speakers, including youth and former interns, described programs and job-training opportunities provided by Speak Minneapolis and asked the council to restore full funding.

A second major topic was the mayor's proposed reductions to the city's co-enforcement partnerships with worker organizations that assist restaurant, service and construction workers. Multiple speakers, including representatives and members of restaurant and worker centers, described wage-theft and safety cases they said were addressed with help from groups such as SETUL and ROC. Speakers said the mayor's proposed cut exceeded half of the program's funding and urged the council to restore it so organizers can continue trainings, outreach and wage-recovery assistance.

Several speakers asked the committee to preserve or increase funding for housing supports. Testimony urged full funding for both the Stable Homes, Stable Schools program and for emergency housing vouchers for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Speakers said previously authorized emergency vouchers were not implemented and stressed a need to house people before winter.

Other public comments covered distinct topics: critics urged removing or not renewing the city's contract with Zen City, an outside vendor the critics described as expensive and prone to underrepresent heavily policed communities; Lake Street businesses and cultural-district advocates urged additional commercial-corridor investment; and several speakers raised concerns about police conduct and public-safety responses in high-profile cases, asking the council to act on accountability and policing practices.

The committee closed the public hearing after hearing the registered speakers and reminded the public of the next hearings: Nov. 19 at 6:05 p.m. in committee chambers and the City Council's truth-in-taxation hearing on Dec. 9 at 6:05 p.m. Written comments submitted to the clerks will be included in the public record.