Rosemount adopts 2026 budget, approves levy after Truth in Taxation hearing

The City of Rosemount on Dec. 2 approved the 2026 general fund operating budget, capital improvement program (CIP), insurance budget, port authority levy and the 2026 city levy following a Truth in Taxation public hearing.

City staff presented budget “headlines,” including a record year of new-construction valuation ($253,000,000) and a tax-capacity increase of 11.56%, which staff said helps moderate the levy impact on existing homeowners. Mr. Martin, the city’s budget presenter, said the operating budget shows a 9.86% increase — approximately $1,991,000 — funded in part by an 8.2% operating-levy increase and a 5% debt-levy increase tied to the Police and Public Works campus debt schedule. He framed the combined effect as a roughly 13.2% levy-related increase and said the median-valued home (about $421,950) would see an estimated city tax increase of about $137 this year, compared with about $218 without new-construction growth.

The budget places a strong emphasis on public safety and operational investments. Mr. Martin said the city plans to add police and fire staffing: two firefighter positions and one new full-time police officer (with a September 2026 start appearing in the staffing schedule), plus promotion opportunities such as a patrol sergeant. The budget also proposes two daytime fire positions (a Deputy Fire Marshal and a Fire Administrative Specialist) to support daytime call response and fire prevention work. Staff noted software and systems investments across admin services and public safety, a two-year contract to develop a 2050 comprehensive vision, and a replacement for an aging building-permit software system.

During the Truth in Taxation public comment period, resident Cheryl (Bloomfield Quads) asked when taxpayers would “see a windfall” from commercial development such as a data center and why valuation growth did not feel larger given recent commercial activity. Mr. Martin responded that county assessment practice values buildings by construction type and comparable sales rather than presumed contents (for example, a data center’s internal servers are not valued separately), and that valuations are applied with a lag; a large facility’s full valuation is realized only after construction, inspection and the county valuation/appeal process. Mr. Martin reiterated that $253 million in new construction is historically large for Rosemount and that the valuation increase (11.56%) is material to moderating tax impacts.

Council member Freske moved to approve the stated budgets and levy; Tyson seconded and the motion passed on a 4–0 roll call.

What happens next: the approved budgets take effect for 2026; staff will continue outreach and post materials for residents outlining levy impacts and baseline assumptions.