The Hibbing City Council on Wednesday approved two preliminary levies payable in 2026: $821,000 for the Range Regional Airport Authority and $100,000 for the city’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). The council adopted both measures after a staff presentation and voice votes.

City staff member Mr. Persinski told the council the levies were part of the city’s 2026 budget-building process and described the airport authority and the HRA as municipal partners. “These two preliminary levies that we’re adopting today, we like to call them partners or collaborators, the…the airport authority, and the HRA,” Mr. Persinski said, adding the requests were being folded into the city’s 2026 budget planning.

The council considered the two resolutions in succession. Resolution 25-09-04 would certify a preliminary levy for the Range Regional Airport Authority, payable in 2026, in the amount of $821,000. Councilor Bayless moved approval, Councilor Faso seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote. Councilors responded to the call for the question with “aye” and the mayor declared the motion carried.

City staff then offered Resolution 25-09-05 to certify the HRA preliminary levy, payable in 2026, in the amount of $100,000. Councilor Hoffman Sockerman moved approval, Councilor Whitney seconded, and the council approved the resolution by voice vote.

Mr. Persinski framed both levies as ongoing financial support for partner organizations and as items the city uses during internal budget development. The council did not take a roll-call vote and no amendments or alternative amounts were proposed during the meeting.

The actions taken are preliminary certifications required for local budget processes; the council’s presentation noted these figures are for planning the city’s 2026 budget and do not themselves finalize the city’s adopted 2026 tax levy.

Meeting participants noted no additional public comment or formal challenges during the discussion. The council adjourned shortly after completing the consent agenda and the two levy certifications.