St. Paul Park council adopts 2026 budget, sets property tax levy at 9.8%

The City of St. Paul Park council voted unanimously on Dec. 15 to adopt Resolution 17-64, approving the city’s final budget for 2026 and certifying a property tax levy of 9.8%.

Staff said they reduced the initial maximum tax amount presented in September and refined expenditures and reallocations before returning a certified levy proposal to the council. "We reduced that down to 9.8% as our certified tax that we'll send to the county," staff member Hugo told the council during the meeting.

Why it matters: the certified levy that the city sends to Washington County determines the city portion of property taxes collected in 2026; valuations and the school and county components are set by other jurisdictions. At the public comment table, a resident, Martin Carpenter, said his proposed 2026 assessment rose sharply and expressed worry about affordability on a fixed income, remarks the council acknowledged as part of the broader tax conversation.

Council procedure and next steps: Mayor moved to adopt the resolution and the motion passed by a recorded unanimous voice vote. Staff will transmit the certified levy paperwork to the county as required. The council also approved budget amendments and carry-forward items on the consent agenda tied to the fiscal year closeout.

Context and caveats: the council emphasized that the city does not set property valuations — that is a county function — and said their 9.8% levy reflects the city's portion of the overall tax burden. Exact property-level tax changes vary by parcel because of county valuations and school levies.