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Lonsdale council sets 2027 budget schedule, approves routine purchases and hires, and hears reports on development and wastewater funding
Summary
Council set six special meetings to develop the 2027 budget, rescheduled two late-year meetings, approved a $4,252.19 display case purchase and a conditional seasonal hire (Dick Bell, $24.27/hr.), accepted Founder's Fest donations totaling $8,700, and heard reports including a $10 million wastewater upgrade that has a $2.5 million community-fund request pending.
At its April 9 meeting the Lonsdale City Council set a schedule of special meetings to develop the 2027 budget, approved routine purchases and a conditional seasonal hire, and received annual reports from Community Development and the Police Department.
City Administrator Joel Erickson presented proposed dates for 2027 budget meetings; the council agreed on May 21, June 18, July 14, Aug. 12, Aug. 31 and Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. Erickson said a preliminary levy is anticipated for adoption at the Sept. 24 City Council meeting to meet the state statutory deadline of Sept. 30. The council voted 5-0 to approve the special-meeting schedule.
The council also voted to reschedule the Nov. 26, 2026 meeting to Nov. 23 and the Dec. 31, 2026 meeting to Dec. 28 (both motions approved 5-0) to avoid holiday conflicts. Erickson recommended the date changes consistent with past practice.
On routine purchases, the council approved a $4,252.19 quote from Minnesota Millwork & Fixtures to install a custom display case in City Hall’s front lobby (Henriksen quoted $6,450). Public Works Director Joe Dornfeld recommended extending a conditional job offer to seasonal Public Works employee Dick Bell at Grade 1/Step 7 ($24.27/hr.); the council approved the conditional offer and noted seasonal appointments must remain under six months to avoid triggering Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) contribution requirements.
Community Development Planner Cory Hinz-Ibarra presented the city’s 2025 Community Development Report showing population and land-use trends; council members observed the city may be at an inflection point for renewed growth. Police Chief Jason Schmitz presented the 2025 Police Department Annual Report; councilmembers praised staffing, grant activity and community engagement and discussed promoting the pharmaceutical drop-box program.
Hinz-Ibarra also presented Resolution 2026-23 accepting Founder's Fest fireworks donations: $1,500 from DSI, $500 from Heath Valley Farm and $500 from Association One, bringing accepted donations to $8,700 plus an additional $2,500 from the Founder's Day Committee; the council approved the resolution 5-0. The City previously approved a fireworks contract with Res Pyro on Nov. 13, 2025.
Mayor Tom Berg reported he had testified that day at the State Capitol in support of House File 4077, which would bar elected officials, appointees and staff from signing nondisclosure agreements. He also said the city's Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project — estimated at roughly $10 million — was selected by Representative Angie Craig's office as a community-fund project request for $2.5 million.
The meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
