Mahtomedi finance commission unanimously recommends 2026 General and Building & Equipment budgets

The Mahtomedi Finance Commission voted unanimously Aug. 26 to recommend that the City Council adopt the 2026 General Fund and Building & Equipment Fund budgets.

Finance Commission member Robert Pocrnich moved the recommendation, which Vice Chair Roger Humphrey seconded. According to the meeting minutes, all members voted in favor.

Why it matters: the commission’s recommendation follows presentations on fund balances, capital needs and the city’s fixed-asset replacement plan that will inform the council’s final vote during the regular budget process.

Finance Director Scott Schaefer reviewed the Closed Bond Fund policy and balances during the meeting. He said the Closed Bond Fund balance was $1,186,585 as of Dec. 31, 2024 and that the projected balance for Dec. 31, 2025 is $1,210,585; the minutes record that there is no planned transfer from that fund for 2026.

Administrator Scott Neilson presented the planned fixed-asset replacement schedule and a proposed 2026 transfer of $408,200 to support replacements. Neilson detailed $350,000 in budgeted expenditures that the commission reviewed, including a 2006 F-350 for the fire department ($90), a hot patch trailer for streets ($50), replacement of unit #64 (2007 Ford F-550) in streets ($150,000) and a parks mower ($20,000). The minutes show the commission accepted the presentation and then voted on the budget recommendation.

What’s next: the commission’s recommendation will go to the City Council for final consideration during the city’s 2026 budget process. The commission also scheduled a joint meeting with the council on Oct. 21, 2025, to review the Parks Fund, utility funds, the 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Financing Plan and the 2026 fee schedule.

The meeting minutes indicate the recommendation motion passed unanimously; no dissenting votes or abstentions were recorded.