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Oakdale council adopts 2026 budgets and lowers levy to 6.2%
Summary
The Oakdale City Council on Dec. 9 adopted the city’s 2026 property tax levy and budgets, reducing a previously set 7% preliminary levy to a 6.2% final levy and approving the 2026–2030 capital improvement plan.
The Oakdale City Council unanimously adopted the city’s 2026 property tax levy and related budgets during its Dec. 9 meeting, voting to set the levy at 6.2% and approve the general fund, capital projects, debt service and enterprise fund budgets.
Finance Director Ivonne Steppenoff told the council that the preliminary levy, set Sept. 9 at 7%, had been reduced to 6.2% for the proposed 2026 budget. Using Washington County assessor worksheets, staff estimated that the median residential property in Oakdale would see city property taxes of about $1,393 annually under the proposal — an increase of roughly $36 (2.7%), or about $3 per month.
Steppenoff explained the budget’s major drivers: planned investments in public safety, facilities, trails, parks and equipment; personnel cost increases; and continued efforts to lower long-term debt. The presentation detailed levy components, including the general levy (supporting operations), a capital levy tied to the five-year capital improvement plan (CIP) and a debt levy for general obligation bond payments.
Council members highlighted the multi-year strategy to reduce the city’s debt, noting the debt levy is at its lowest level since 2017. One council member highlighted a new 2026 service addition — behavioral and mental health supports embedded with the police department in partnership with Washington County — as a justification for some staffing and program investments in the adopted budget.
Mayor Kevin Zabel opened the Truth in Taxation public hearing; there were no public comments. After debate and final remarks, the council adopted resolution 2025-110 setting the 2026 levy and approving the associated budgets and adopted resolution 2025-109 to approve the 2026–2030 CIP and authorize fiscal year 2026 projects.
The council and staff encouraged residents with questions about parcel-specific impacts or the city budget to consult the city’s digital budget book or contact the finance department.
What’s next: the adopted levy will be reflected on property tax statements and in the city’s published budget documents; staff indicated the digital budget book contains detailed department-level information and contact points for follow-up.
