Budget committee receives mayor’s recommended 2026 budget and hears tax, staffing overview

The Minneapolis City Council Budget Committee received and filed the mayor’s recommended 2026 budget Monday and heard a detailed briefing on the city’s spending and revenue outlook, the proposed 7.8% property tax levy increase and assumptions on vacancies and benefits that reduced the levy from earlier projections.

The presentation, delivered by Jane DeCenza, budget director for Finance and Property Services, and Justin Coles, budget manager, outlined the mayor’s recommended supplemental budget, described the online budget book enhancements and explained a series of adjustments that lowered the levy from earlier projections. "Our goal is a readable document that explains the financial and policy decisions impacting the budget," DeCenza said.

Why it matters: The committee’s review begins the public and council process that must conclude with the council’s final adoption in December and the county certification of the levy by Sept. 30. Committee members asked for further detail on levy drivers, the distribution of property tax dollars and the mechanics of recently adopted staffing and vacancy assumptions.

Total city spending in the recommended 2026 budget rises about…