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Kasson City council approves preliminary $7.8 million tax levy after budget presentations
Summary
Kasson City Council voted to approve a preliminary $7.8 million tax levy (collectible in 2026) after department heads reviewed key 2026 budget lines, including public-safety equipment, parks projects and proposed capital purchases; staff said updated property valuations mean a 7.8% figure would effectively hold the city tax rate flat.
Kasson City Council approved a preliminary tax levy of $7,800,000, collectible in 2026, following presentations from department heads and discussion of line-item impacts on next year’s budgets.
City staff told council that updated county valuations mean a 7.8% figure would keep the city’s tax rate effectively unchanged by absorbing new assessed value rather than raising the rate. “They’ve told us that a 7.8% would keep our tax levy rate at 0,” the administrator explained, adding that rising commercial valuations and new construction broaden the tax base.
The meeting included department presentations about planned purchases and increases. A public-works supervisor outlined heavy-equipment and vehicle needs — including grader-tire replacements and a potential contractor truck — and park projects such as sidewalk repairs, a pavilion at Northeast Park and further work on a bike-trail segment near Highway 57. “That contractor’s truck is probably $150,000 and that’s just the truck and the box,” the supervisor said when describing a replacement estimate.
Police budget questions focused on recurring vehicle-upfitting costs (roughly $25,000 to outfit a vehicle) and a data/internet line for squad cars to support previously approved body and fleet cameras. The police presenter noted overtime is already above budget and that new leave policies will increase backfill costs.
Council members pressed for clearer line-item descriptions (for example, marking squad Internet/data separately from general telephone lines) and for more detail on capital timing. Staff agreed to update the packet descriptions and to provide memos on joint-venture funding opportunities with nearby school and regional partners.
Votes at a glance: - Preliminary 2025 tax levy (collectible 2026): motion made and approved by voice vote; the council recorded unanimous 'Aye' responses during the roll call. (Motion introduced in meeting; staff said the $7,800,000 figure reflects valuation changes.) - Library hiring (Tanya Gettle) and other formal actions from the meeting are listed in the city minutes.
What happens next: The levy approved tonight is preliminary; final levy adoption and any further reductions can be made before the statutory deadline. Staff said they will provide updated line-item descriptions and follow up memos on joint-venture and capital priorities for council review.
