Sleepy Eye council approves 12.5% preliminary 2026 budget, confirms appointments and permits

The Sleepy Eye City Council on Sept. 9, 2025, approved a preliminary 2026 budget set at a 12.5% levy increase and took several routine administrative actions, including a pending appointment to the city fire department and authorization of an airport maintenance agreement with MnDOT. The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 200 Main Street East, and was led by Mayor Joann Schmidt.

The council voted unanimously, 5-0, to adopt the preliminary budget level for 2026. Councilor Christina Andres, who moved the motion, said the council had discussed setting the percentage “a little higher to give little wiggle room and allow the council to discuss the big ticket items,” language recorded in the minutes. The action establishes the levy guidance that staff will use while preparing the final tax-and-budget documents ahead of the Truth-in-Taxation public hearing set for Dec. 9, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.

Councilors also approved several other items by unanimous votes. The council adopted Resolution 14-2025 to accept donations to the city, approved Resolution 15-2025 authorizing the mayor to sign the MnDOT (Minnesota Department of Transportation) Airport Maintenance and Operation Agreement, and voted not to object to an exempt gambling permit for the SE Servicemen’s Club for Nov. 25, 2025. The council also granted a temporary liquor license to the SE Arena Association for a Pond Hockey Fundraiser on Nov. 26, 2025.

On personnel matters, the council approved the appointment of Jake Schuaman as a new firefighter pending completion of a background check (motion by Douglas Pelzel, second by Nathan Stevermer). The minutes record the motion and the 5-0 vote; the appointment remains contingent on the background check being cleared.

City Engineer Matt Miller reported the pavement maintenance program — crack filling and seal coating — has been completed and came in about 10%–15% under budget. City Attorney Alissa Fischer Groen had no report. City Manager Bob Elston reminded the council that the regular November meeting will be moved to Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. The council approved the Police Report, cash fund balances, and payment of bills by unanimous consent during the meeting. The session was adjourned at 7:39 p.m.

Votes at a glance • Approve minutes (Aug. 12 and Aug. 27, 2025) — M: Krzmarzick; S: Andres; Vote: 5-0; Outcome: approved. • Resolution 14-2025 (Accept donations) — Vote: 5-0; Outcome: approved. • Appointment: Jake Schuaman (firefighter), pending background check — M: Pelzel; S: Stevermer; Vote: 5-0; Outcome: approved pending background check. • Preliminary 2026 budget at 12.5% — M: Christina Andres; S: Scott Krzmarzick; Vote: 5-0; Outcome: approved. • Set Truth-in-Taxation meeting (Dec. 9, 2025, 7:00 p.m.) — M: Stevermer; S: Andres; Vote: 5-0; Outcome: approved. • Resolution 15-2025 (MnDOT Airport Maintenance and Operation Agreement) — M: Stevermer; S: Windschitl; Vote: 5-0; Outcome: approved. • Exempt gambling permit (SE Servicemen’s Club, Nov. 25, 2025) — M: Stevermer; S: Windschitl; Vote: 5-0; Outcome: no objection. • Temporary liquor license (SE Arena Association, Pond Hockey Fundraiser, Nov. 26, 2025) — M: Windschitl; S: Stevermer; Vote: 5-0; Outcome: approved. • Police Report and Cash Fund Balances — M: Windschitl; S: Pelzel; Vote: 5-0; Outcome: approved. • Payment of bills — M: Christina Andres; S: Scott Krzmarzick; Vote: 5-0; Outcome: approved.

The council’s actions set the procedural and budgetary steps the city will follow into the fall; the Truth-in-Taxation hearing on Dec. 9 will allow residents to review proposed levies and final budget figures.