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Crookston staff presents 2026 proposed budget and sets preliminary 8% levy
Summary
City staff outlined the 2026 proposed operating budget, a preliminary tax levy increase set at 8% and the city’s capital improvements list; staff estimated the city’s tax-levy-funded operating need at $4,604,724 and total revenues at $15,095,486. Public hearing and final adoption are scheduled for Dec. 29.
Darren, a city staff presenter, told the Crookston City Council that the proposed 2026 operating budget includes $4,604,724 in tax-levy funding and total city revenues of $15,095,486. The presentation, given under the state’s Truth in Taxation requirement, described how levy dollars support police, fire, streets, parks, library and the municipal airport.
The presentation explained the revenue breakdown and the proposed preliminary levy, which the council set at 8% for 2026. Darren said the levy proposal would increase the city’s tax levy to $4,604,724; using city estimates, an 8% levy would amount to about $35 a year (roughly $2.92 a month) for a $150,000 homesteaded home and about $69 a year for a $250,000 home.
The city also presented a reduced capital improvement program for 2026 totaling about $1,486,000, down from an earlier, larger list. Projects listed included airport roof and administrative fees, fire department apparatus fund, police vehicle equipment, IT workstation replacements and routine water and wastewater main work. Darren said the CIP list had been pared back from an initial higher figure.
Council members questioned the city’s reserve balances after one member referenced a $10,000,000 figure. Darren clarified that much of that amount is invested and includes restricted funds; he said the forthcoming 2024 audit will provide a full breakdown of restricted versus unrestricted reserves and estimated that only about $2,000,000 might be unrestricted and available for general use. A council member noted the charter target of maintaining roughly six months of operating expenses in reserve and expressed concern the city may be below that level.
Darren walked the council through comparisons with area levies (the presentation cited regional averages) and emphasized next steps: the council will take the proposal under advisement and hold a special meeting on Dec. 29 to adopt the 2026 budget and levy and then certify the levy to Polk County.
The presentation materials will be posted on the city website; council members thanked finance staff for completing the late-hour work on the budget.
The council did not take a final vote on the budget at this meeting; the adoption vote is scheduled for the special Dec. 29 meeting.
