Moorhead council approves 2026 budget and 3.89% estimated tax-rate increase; council funds firefighter hires

The Moorhead City Council on Dec. 8 approved the 2026 city budget, tax levy and capital improvement plan after a presentation by Finance Director Jennica Flanagan and public comment focused on fire-department staffing. The council also approved the Moorhead Economic Development Authority 2026 levy.

Flanagan described the city's estimated 2026 market value of about $4.3 billion and proposed general and park fund revenues of approximately $46.0 million against proposed expenditures of about $46.3 million. She said the proposed tax levy changes translate to an estimated tax-rate increase of 3.89% and that a median home valued at $247,700 would see an estimated monthly tax increase of about $7.24; including projected utility/enterprise changes, she said the combined monthly impact to a median home was about $11.90.

The budget reflects four priorities: employee wages and benefits, wastewater utility, community and economic development, and public-safety staffing. Flanagan noted the budget increase of roughly $3.1 million from the prior year, of which about $2.7 million is related to wages and benefits. The capital-improvements program included more than $39.2 million in engineering-led infrastructure projects, roughly $41.2 million for wastewater-treatment and lift-station improvements, and $3.3 million for vehicles and equipment replacement.

Public commenters urged additional investment in firefighting capacity. Chris Piper, a Moorhead resident with 25 years of full-time fire experience, urged the council to hire three operations firefighters in the 2026 budget and three more if the federal SAFER grant is awarded; he cited NFPA staffing standards and a consultant report concluding Moorhead needs additional firefighters and a third station. Resident Guadalupe Santoya described long response times after a house fire and urged more firefighters and another station to reduce risks.

Councilmembers and the mayor acknowledged the competing priorities of addressing rising costs for residents while funding staffing needs; several members thanked the finance team and said the budget balances community concerns and public-safety support. The council approved the City of Moorhead 2026 tax levy, budget and CIP by roll-call vote (recorded in the transcript as unanimous).

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): - Consent agenda: approved by roll call (unanimous). - Resolution 18a (City of Moorhead 2026 tax levy, budget and CIP): approved by roll call (unanimous). - Resolution 18b (Moorhead Economic Development Authority 2026 levy): approved by roll call (unanimous).

Next steps: The finance department will finalize budget documentation for the clerk's records and post levy documentation; the city will pursue SAFER grant opportunities if appropriate.