Dundee leaders weigh levy, utility fee and partner contributions to cover $325,000 budget shortfall

City Administrator Steve (last name not provided) told the Dundee City Council at a work session that the city currently faces roughly a $325,000 shortfall in its general fund and presented four broad options — renew a voter-approved levy, ask the rural fire district for added support, add a public-safety fee on utility bills, or cut personnel — to address the gap.

The potential shortfall matters because it affects the city’s ability to retain recently hired firefighters funded by a multi-year grant that ends after the next fiscal year. Steve said the grant covers the added position only through the current grant period and warned, "we're gonna have to figure out ... how make up that $325,000." The council emphasized tonight’s work session was for direction and information, not final decisions.

City staff provided ballpark revenue estimates and trade-offs. A renewed property levy at 65¢ per $1,000 of assessed value was projected in staff material to raise about $230,000 in the coming fiscal year for Dundee alone; combined with a concurrent levy from the rural fire district in past scenarios it could generate roughly $510,000, depending on exact rates and the district’s participation. Staff also…