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White Bear Lake council sets preliminary 2026 levy ceiling, hears budget presentation
Summary
The White Bear Lake City Council on Sept. 9 set a preliminary 2026 tax‑levy ceiling (staff presented a 9.46% increase, roughly $1.3 million) and scheduled the Truth‑in‑Taxation hearing for Dec. 9. Staff cited strong fund‑balance coverage and said staff will return with details on paid family‑leave options.
White Bear Lake city staff presented the proposed 2026 preliminary budget and tax levy, and the council voted to adopt the resolution setting the levy ceiling and scheduling the Truth‑in‑Taxation hearing for Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.
Staff told the council the preliminary levy reflects a 9.46% increase, roughly $1,300,000, over the 2025 levy. Finance staff said the general‑fund unassigned fund balance is projected to cover about 47.13% of operating costs as of Dec. 31, 2025, and that conservative projections after planned 2026 use of fund balance would leave roughly 43% coverage heading into 2027. The staff presentation flagged revenue changes (declining franchise and permit receipts tied to completed school‑district projects), and noted increases in ambulance and interest revenue. Notable expenditures include salary adjustments tied to the adopted pay plan and labor contracts, a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment, debt‑service from recent street reconstruction, and funding two additional firefighter positions by redirecting part‑time dollars to full‑time hires. The presentation also described a proposed 1 IT technician position.
Council members praised staff work but emphasized that adopting the preliminary levy only sets a ceiling; the council may reduce the levy before final adoption in December but cannot increase it after certification. Staff reminded the council the levy must be certified to the counties by Sept. 30. The council reiterated a work session is scheduled for Oct. 21 to review special‑revenue and enterprise funds and a draft fee schedule, with final levy adoption slated for the Dec. 9 meeting.
Council member Walsh questioned whether the city would split paid family‑leave costs 50/50 with employees and whether the city had explored alternatives to the state program. Staff responded that the city is exploring options and said, "we are choosing to go through a private broker because it is cheaper," and that staff will research distinctions among the state program, private brokers and possible self‑administration and report back to the council before the final vote.
The council approved the preliminary levy resolution by voice vote. The meeting packet and presentation contain more detailed schedules, fund‑balance analyses and line‑item changes.
