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Isanti council trims 2026 budget wish list, delays new iPads and leaf vacuum
Summary
City staff and council reviewed potential 2026 additions — including council iPads, a leaf vacuum unit, street projects and sidewalks — but deferred multiple purchases and removed the leaf vacuum from the draft, citing cost and lower priority.
City staff presented a series of potential additions to the 2026 budget and the Isanti City Council signaled it would delay or remove several items to conserve funds.
At a Committee of the Whole meeting, staff summarized technology options for council members, saying council iPads could be replaced at about $500 each and that a cellular data option would be roughly $39.99 per month per device. City staff told the council the agenda platform includes the meeting-packet app at no extra charge but that the app is Apple-only. Several council members said the current devices still function and that paying for cellular data was unnecessary; the council agreed by consensus to postpone iPad replacements and any data plans for another year.
Staff also reviewed a previously discussed “leaf vacuum” unit that North Branch purchased in 2022 for about $225,000, with an annual maintenance estimate of approximately $3,500. Council members questioned the need to buy a second truck and discussed retrofitting a removable unit onto existing plow equipment instead. Given low priority and the high price tag, staff removed the leaf vacuum from the 2026 draft budget but said the item can be revisited later.
On street work, staff reminded the council that residential-driven paving placeholders remain for Tyler Avenue Southeast (about $1.6 million) and 4th Avenue Southwest (about $1.7 million), currently scheduled for 2030 with some interest in pushing to 2040. Council members said they would leave the placeholders unchanged for now.
The council also reviewed a roughly $10,000 annual allocation for street-light infill and confirmed the amount has been used for several years; no increase was requested.
Council and staff spent the most time on incomplete sidewalks — staff estimated roughly $80,000 to complete certain segments but said two parcels lack easements. Council members asked whether a recorded easement or sale condition could guarantee future sidewalk installation; staff said they would consult the city attorney and monitor property sales, but acknowledged little can be done without landowner cooperation. Staff said the sidewalk item will be monitored and could return to future budgets if conditions change.
The meeting closed with staff reminding the public about upcoming budget work sessions the next two Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
