Ivanhoe City Council adopts 2026 proposed budget, accepts library donation and authorizes legal action

The Ivanhoe City Council on Sept. 22, 2025, adopted a proposed 2026 budget and set a preliminary 2025 tax levy at 15%, or $408,836.50, council members said. The vote came during a regularly scheduled meeting at City Council Chambers, 401 N. Harold St., that also approved a library donation and authorized legal action on a delinquent loan.

The meeting’s most consequential vote approved Resolution 2025-46, adopting the 2026 proposed budget and the preliminary levy. Brad Blanchette moved the resolution and Michelle Sullivan seconded; the motion was carried unanimously. The resolution notes the city must adopt a proposed budget on or before Sept. 30, 2025, under state law and schedules final budget discussions for Dec. 8, 2025.

Council also approved Resolution 2025-45 to accept a $1,200.27 donation from the Southwest Initiative Fund for Ivanhoe Library operations. Brad Blanchette moved to accept the donation; Michelle Sullivan seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

In a separate action the council authorized City Attorney Mike Cable to proceed with legal action regarding the property at 221 N. Harold Street. The item states the property has an outstanding Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) loan balance of $29,089.70, with the last payment received Oct. 23, 2023. Adam Panka moved to authorize the attorney to proceed; Kyle Krier seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

During department reports, Ivanhoe Liquor Store representative Sarah Marczak reported August gross sales of $68,583.29 and estimated September sales of about $32,000, and said the store installed a new 65-inch smart TV and plans to stream events and host special events including Vikings games, Halloween and a New Year’s Eve party. "August gross sales of $68,583.29," Marczak said during her report.

City Administrator Dianne Beckendorf briefed the council on SCDP loan rules, explaining that local funds under $35,000 are treated differently from program income over $35,000. Beckendorf relayed an ambulance department request to raise the call wage from $25 to $30 and to set a run wage at $22 (current run wage range reported as $19.87–$23.28). She said the council will consider wage increases effective beginning of 2026 and scheduled a budget work session for Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m.

The council briefly discussed a dangerous-dog matter and asked the city administrator to contact the county sheriff for follow-up consistent with a July 14, 2025 vote. The meeting also included a closed session under Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.05, subdivision 3(b) for attorney–client communications concerning Sterzinger Field Road; the council directed legal counsel to start by obtaining a survey and estimating its cost.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 2025-46 (proposed 2026 budget and preliminary levy 15%, $408,836.50) — motion by Brad Blanchette, second by Michelle Sullivan, outcome: approved unanimously. Resolution 2025-45 (accept $1,200.27 donation to Ivanhoe Library from Southwest Initiative Fund) — motion by Brad Blanchette, second by Michelle Sullivan, outcome: approved unanimously. Authorization for City Attorney to proceed on property at 221 N. Harold Street (SCDP loan balance $29,089.70) — motion by Adam Panka, second by Kyle Krier, outcome: approved unanimously. Approval of Invoice Batch 9.22.25 (total claims $21,704.49) — motion by Kyle Krier, second by Brad Blanchette, outcome: approved; Mayor Shad Lipinski abstained.

The council adjourned at 7:22 p.m. The city scheduled a final budget discussion for Dec. 8, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.; the council also set a budget work session for Nov. 18, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. for additional review of proposed figures and wage requests.