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Brooklyn Park staff present 2026–27 budgets as council eyes 7.49% levy increase
Summary
Department directors presented proposed 2026 and 2027 budgets at a Brooklyn Park City Council work session, outlining reductions, fee changes and capital priorities; city staff said the package would produce a 7.49% levy increase under current assumptions and asked council for direction on tradeoffs.
Brooklyn Park City leaders on Wednesday reviewed department budgets that, as presented, would raise the city levy by an estimated 7.49% if the council accepts the package.
The work session included presentations from Recreation & Parks, Administration, Community Development, Operations & Maintenance (public works), Fire, Police and Finance. Finance staff said the levy figure reflects ongoing operating needs and added debt service tied to projects such as the new Central Fire Station.
Recreation & Parks highlighted operations and capital for the Zainewood Recreation Center expansion, two golf enterprise funds (Brookland and Edinburgh USA) and the Brooklyn Park Sports Dome. The department proposed eliminating community events grants and the community band and recommended two fee increases: raising non‑resident program fees from a 20% premium to 25% and adjusting dance fees to cover costume costs. Director Grama Talberg said the department expects 2026 general‑fund revenues of about $1.3 million against expenditures of roughly $7.47 million and outlined $113,015 in net budget changes from service adjustments and fee changes.
Administration staff described community engagement and Health On The Go metrics, cited an employee‑survey finding that 69% of staff intend to stay with the city, and recommended investments in election management software and transcription services to speed production of minutes. Community Development asked for a Counter 2 customer‑service position to improve permitting interactions and maintain target turnaround times for plan review and inspections.
Public Works flagged a proposed $9.18 million general fund budget for 2026 with a 1.5% reduction from 2025, $203,000 in operating cuts (largely contracting and street chemical costs) and new investments in an asset management system and an AI‑driven pavement‑condition index to prioritize street work. The department warned of risks from equipment price increases and tariffs.
Fire and police budgets both emphasized personnel costs and the challenge of recruitment and retention. Fire Chief Sean Conway said the department is down several positions and that overtime was well above budget because of vacancies. Police Chief Mark Prudeley described crime and calls‑for‑service metrics and listed limited targeted investments, including replacement cameras and records upgrades.
Finance Director identified the large share of budgets taken by salaries and recommended reductions and one‑time uses to keep the levy at the 7.49% level. Council discussion focused on which nonessential items to trim, how to use one‑time funds and the timing of debt borrowing. Several council members urged preserving some community‑facing programs while others pressed for deeper short‑term savings.
No formal votes were taken. Staff said they will return with final budget language and the schedule for presenting the levy to the county for certification.
The council’s next step is consideration of the formal levy certification and any last adjustments at the upcoming regular meeting.
