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Brainerd council adopts $7.44 million levy and 2026 budgets
Summary
The Brainerd City Council set the 2026 property tax levy at $7,435,323 and adopted the city's 2026 operating and capital budgets, covering general, transit, sewer and capital funds; the HRA levy was set at $227,866.
The Brainerd City Council on Tuesday adopted a property tax levy of $7,435,323 for 2026 and approved the city's operating and capital budgets for the coming year.
Finance Director Connie Hillman told the council that a 4.75% increase over 2025 was used in budget documents and in the public hearing; council members then voted to set the final levy at $7,435,323 and adopt the working funds and related budgets, including capital, transit, recycling, parking-lot, permanent-improvement, mayor's contingency, and sanitary and storm sewer funds. The resolution also set the Brainerd Housing Redevelopment Authority levy at $227,866.
The budgets reflect assumptions discussed by staff in earlier work sessions, Hillman said; the council's adoption locked in the levy amount to be certified to the county by the December 30 deadline. Council members praised staff for budget work that improved the city's position since the preliminary levy in September.
The council also approved a set of enterprise and program budgets tied to the levy vote, including a transit budget and various capital projects. No changes to the previously presented levy ceiling were made; council members said they will review implementation details with staff in early 2026.
The council's vote was recorded by roll call and the resolution carried.
