Hibbing Council adopts final 2025 budget and approves 3.47% levy increase

The Hibbing City Council on Dec. 4 adopted the city's final 2025 budget and certified related levies, approving a $350,430 increase in city levies — a 3.47% rise over last year.

Finance presenter Speaker 11 opened the Truth and Taxation section and explained the property tax cycle, homestead exclusion changes and how the city's levy translates to individual tax statements. The presenter later is identified in the record as Finance Director Sheena Molnar. "This will kick off our truth and taxation section of this meeting. Today is 12/04/2024," the presenter said at the start of the hearing.

The presentation described revenue shifts and the budget trade-offs that produced the levy decision. The city reported a proposed increase to city levies of $350,430 (presented as a 3.47% increase) and described specific line items behind the change: small increases in local government aid, higher interest income as investments mature, elimination of prior transit grant revenue after Arrowhead Transit assumed local services, a $100,000 increase in ambulance revenue, and a new code enforcement department for rental compliance. On expenditures, the presenter cited a 2.5% cost-of-living increase for collective bargaining units, step increases, and higher medical insurance costs for active employees and early retirees.

The council voted to adopt Resolution 24-12-04 to finalize the 2025 budget and the 2024 levy (payable in 2025). Councillor Swiberg moved the resolution; the motion passed by voice vote.

The council also certified the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) levy at $100,000 via Resolution 24-12-05 and approved the Range Regional Airport Authority levy request through Resolution 24-12-06 (presented in the budget slides as $821,000). Both resolutions were approved by voice vote.

What happens next: the final levy figures will be reflected on property tax statements sent to property owners in March 2025. Finance Director Sheena Molnar provided contact information for budget questions and directed questions about property classification and valuation to the Saint Louis County assessor's office.

Resolution details recorded in the meeting: 24-12-04 (adopt final 2025 city budget and 2024 levy), 24-12-05 (HRA levy certification at $100,000), and 24-12-06 (Range Regional Airport Authority levy request).