The Metropolitan Council on Aug. 27 authorized a preliminary 2026 operating budget and set the upper limit for the council's 2025 property tax levy at $97,980,000, a 2% increase from the prior year.

Council Member Johnson, presenting business item 2025-169, said, "the preliminary budget authorizes an overall property tax levy of $97,980,000 which is a 2% increase from the previous year." The council approved the preliminary budget by roll call after brief remarks thanking staff for committee work and analysis.

The preliminary action begins the council's budget process: the capital budget will be incorporated in October and the council adopts a final unified budget in December. Council staff told members the council can reduce but not increase the property tax levies after the preliminary adoption. The resolutions tied to the action were presented as business item 2025-169 and resolutions 2025-14 through 2025-20.

Council members who voiced support thanked staff for analysis and committee briefings leading up to the vote. The chair called for a roll-call vote and several members voiced “aye”; council staff recorded the action as approved.

Because this vote set only a preliminary levy, the council retained authority to lower levy amounts in subsequent budget steps but not to increase them beyond the approved upper limit. The council will return with a unified final budget in December for adoption.