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Council holds public hearing on 2026 special service district budgets; District 4 petitioned for 10‑year recertification
Summary
Council held a public hearing on proposed 2026 budgets and service charges for six special service districts. Staff said all districts propose a 2.45% increase tied to the Twin Cities Consumer Price Index; District 4 submitted petitions to extend its special service term through 2035. No public testimony was received at the hearing.
The St. Louis Park City Council opened and closed a public hearing Oct. 6 on the city’s proposed 2026 budgets and property owner service charges for six special service districts. Kayla Fisher, public services superintendent in Public Works, presented the districts’ functions and the proposed service charges.
Fisher told the council the special service districts provide enhanced infrastructure and services — landscaping, decorative lighting, banners, planter boxes and, in some areas, sidewalk snow removal — funded by service charges paid by property owners in the district. The city typically installs the infrastructure and property owners pay annual service charges to cover ongoing maintenance. District 4 was up for recertification this year; staff reported it received the required petitions to extend District 4’s service charges for another 10 years, through 2035, provided the council approves the budget and service charges at the Oct. 20 consent agenda.
Fisher said the recommended action was for the mayor to open the hearing, take testimony and close the hearing; no testimony was received at the Oct. 6 meeting. She said the proposed service‑charge increase for all districts is 2.45% for 2026, based on the Twin Cities consumer price index. Council members asked whether that CPI‑based adjustment is a contractual limit set in the district resolutions; staff said the resolutions outline an upper limit on annual increases and that district renewal or ordinance changes would be necessary to change that mechanism.
No formal action was required at the Oct. 6 meeting; the council will consider final action on the budget and service charges at its Oct. 20 consent agenda. Staff advised that property owner notices were sent Sept. 23 and that the districts have been in place for many years in locations that include Excelsior Boulevard corridors and the west end near Park Place Boulevard.
