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Woodbury council preliminarily approves 10.7% increase in city property tax levy; truth‑in‑taxation hearing set for Dec. 10
Summary
The City Council on Sept. 24 voted to adopt a preliminary 2026 property tax levy that would raise the levy 10.7% to about $57.99 million, increasing the median home’s city tax bill roughly $130 a year. Councilmember Wilson cast the only no vote on the preliminary levy.
The Woodbury City Council on Sept. 24 adopted a preliminary 2026 property tax levy that would raise the city’s levy by 10.7% to $57,991,276 and set a truth‑in‑taxation public hearing for Dec. 10.
City Administrator Jeff Dahl told the council the preliminary levy sets a ceiling that can be lowered before the final levy is certified in December. Dahl described three main drivers of the increase: fully funding public‑safety staffing, rising operating costs (wages and energy) and growth‑related service demand. “We have a fully staffed public safety facility,” Dahl said, noting the city is funding those positions through operations rather than one‑time funds.
The council’s preliminary levy would increase the median Woodbury homeowner’s city tax bill by about $130 a year — roughly $11 per month — and represents a 6.8% increase in the city’s tax rate, Dahl said. Staff also noted the city expects to receive revenue from an ongoing regional housing pool but that the HRA levy of $250,000 remains a separate line item the HRA adopted earlier in the meeting.
Council members and staff discussed options to lower the levy between now and certification in December. Dahl said staff increased projected interest income and delayed issuing debt for a public‑safety expansion to reduce the preliminary levy from an earlier 11.7% proposal to 10.7%.
After debate and public‑meeting procedure, the council voted on the preliminary levy (resolution 25‑163). The roll‑call vote was recorded as: Council member Morris, aye; Council member Santini, aye; Council member Stafford, aye; Council member Wilson, no; Mayor Burt, aye. The motion passed. The council then approved two related resolutions: one authorizing the county auditor to cancel or change certain ad‑valorem debt levies (resolution 25‑164), which passed with Wilson voting no; and a preliminary HRA special‑benefit tax levy (resolution 25‑165), which passed unanimously.
Dahl and other staff urged public input at the Nov. 5 budget workshop and at the Dec. 10 truth‑in‑taxation public hearing, when final levy decisions will be made. Residents can also contact staff or council members or submit comments online before those dates.
