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Lake Elmo council adopts 2026 budget, 14% levy increase and 10-year CIP after truth-in-taxation hearing
Summary
The council approved the 2026 budget (total general fund expenditures about $8.86 million), a total levy of $11,497,785 (about a 14% increase) with an estimated $179 annual impact on a median-value home, and a 10-year capital improvement program; the resolution passed 3–2 following public comment raising transparency and franchise-fee concerns.
After a public hearing and more than an hour of debate, the Lake Elmo City Council on Dec. 16 adopted the 2026 budgets, a property tax levy increase and a 10-year capital improvement program.
Clarissa, the city finance presenter, gave a high-level overview of the proposed 2026 general fund and utility budgets. She stated the general fund budget was about $8,859,000 in expenditures, an increase of roughly $907,000 from the prior year, and said the proposal included using $300,000 of fund balance. Clarissa also presented a proposed total levy of $11,497,785 and…
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