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Maplewood Council trims proposed property-tax increase, certifies levy not to exceed 7.94%
Summary
After a public hearing with multiple residents expressing frustration at rising property tax bills and county assessment responsiveness, the Maplewood City Council adopted a $87.998 million 2026 budget and a five-year CIP and certified a levy capped at a 7.94% increase, directing staff to implement targeted cuts.
Mayor Abrams and city staff adopted the city’s 2026 budget and capital-improvement plan after residents raised concerns at a Truth in Taxation public hearing.
Finance staff presented the proposed 2026 budget of $87,998,337 and a 2026–2030 CIP totaling $66,399,550, and initially requested a city levy of $34,522,856 — an 8.48% increase over the prior year. Finance staff said the largest drivers are $2.3 million in additional general-fund payroll costs and higher ambulance operations and street projects.
"The total 2026 budget is $87,998,337," finance staff member Joe Rube told the council during his presentation, laying out fund-by-fund drivers and the estimated median-home impact of about $146 per year.
Residents at the public hearing described sharply higher bills and difficulty reaching the Ramsey County assessor’s office. "My taxes on that house is now over $4,200 on 1,000 foot square house. That's outrageous," said one commenter during the hearing. Several speakers urged the council to find reductions to ease the burden on fixed-income households.
Staff offered two reduction packages totaling roughly $173,000 (options that trim building capital, delay certain capital purchases and modestly reduce community-center and tree-removal allocations). Council members debated preserving building capital and essential services but expressed support for giving staff a clear target to reduce the levy.
Council then voted on a slate of motions: adopting the budget and financial policies, adopting the 2026–2030 CIP, adopting the EDA budget, and certifying property taxes payable in 2026 with a maximum levy not to exceed 7.94%. Each motion passed by voice vote. City staff said that final spending authorizations will return to council when specific purchases or debt issuances are needed.
Staff also committed to help residents who cannot reach Ramsey County for appraisal questions by posting the assessor contact (Patrick Chapman, (651) 266-2131) and offering city staff follow-up for unanswered county inquiries.
The council’s action reduces the administration’s initial levy request and directs staff to implement the specified cuts and return with final numbers and next steps.
The council concluded the budget section by noting remaining work on the EDA budget and reminding residents of upcoming county and school levy hearings.
Maplewood will forward its certified levy to Ramsey County for the next steps in the tax-distribution process.
