Isanti City council reviews 2026 budget options after packet correction to levy figures

Isanti City held a budget work session where staff reviewed the 2026 budget schedule and corrected a packet error about the general fund levy.

City staff presented two draft budgets: one that includes a proposed tax-rate increase and one that holds the rate steady and uses reserves to balance the books. Finance director Nick summarized the assumptions built into the draft and the revenue and timing issues council members pressed staff to clarify.

The correction. Staff flagged a mistake in the meeting packet: the general fund levy percent change was listed as 13.31% but “it should have been 6.12%,” Nick said. Council then approved the meeting agenda with that notation; the motion carried 4-0.

What staff told council. Nick said the draft budget applies a 3% cost-of-living adjustment to wages and step increases, assumes no…