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Brainerd council adopts lower preliminary 2026 levy after debate over double-digit options
Summary
After extended debate and a failed first motion, the Brainerd City Council on Sept. 29 set the 2026 preliminary levy at $7,666,013 and the Brainerd HRA levy at $227,866; the decision followed staff corrections to pension/employer-rate math and discussion of health-insurance and utility-pilot options.
The Brainerd City Council voted Sept. 29 to set the 2026 preliminary levy at $7,666,013, adopting an 8% option the council said better balances fiscal prudence with service needs. The council also set the Brainerd HRA levy at $227,866.
City staff finance presenter Connie told the council that a correction to the employer portion of the police-and-fire pension rate increased projected expenditures by about $24,900 and pushed an initial calculation to $7,879,705 (an 11.01% increase). Connie told the council the final levy set in December cannot be higher than the preliminary levy they adopt tonight and that preliminary levies are used to generate the tax statements mailed to property owners.
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