New Germany council adopts 2026 budget and fee schedule, approves sewer rate path and gambling-fund allocations

The City of New Germany City Council on Dec. 16, 2025, approved the city’s 2026 budget and fee schedule, adopted a multi-year wastewater rate path and authorized several lawful-gambling-fund allocations, all by unanimous votes.

Jeanne Vogt of Ehlers presented two wastewater-rate scenarios and recommended the council consider the city’s capital needs and the assumption of no new connections in a “worst-case” projection. The council adopted Option 2, which calls for a 2.5% rate increase in 2026, 8% increases in 2027–2029, and 2.5% increases beginning in 2030. Kevin Grove moved to adopt Option 2; Thomas Mielke seconded and the motion carried 5-0.

Council members then approved Ordinance 129, the 2026 fee schedule, and adopted Resolution 2025-17, the 2026 budget, both on unanimous votes. The minutes record additional administrative approvals including Resolution 2025-16 (2026 meeting schedule) and a resolution listed for designation of the polling place; the meeting minutes contain an apparent numbering inconsistency in the polling-place line (the text references both Resolution 2025-18 and 2025-19), which council records should clarify for the official file.

The council also approved three lawful-gambling-fund donations: $3,000 to be placed into the Parks Capital Fund for field supplies (Resolution 2025-20), $15,000 for improvements to the Lindstrom concession building to be deposited in the Parks Capital Fund (Resolution 2025-21), and $18,000 to the Fire Department Truck & Building Capital Fund (Resolution 2025-22). Each donation passed 5-0.

Council approved the 2026 Carver County Joint Assessment contract on a 5-0 vote; the minutes do not list a contract amount or additional terms. Other routine business included review of insurance items, an Ehlers client-disclosure review, and approval of year-end transfers. The consent agenda (Dec. 2 minutes, payment claims and financial reports) was approved unanimously.

In department reports, Fire Chief Ryan Goede said the new generator had been switched over and is operational; Frontier must complete an overhead connection and the city should add the unit to a regular maintenance plan. Public Works reported that the Bobcat was returned from repairs and staff completed winter maintenance tasks at the lagoons.

Clerk Twyla Menth reported receipt of a Minnesota Paid Leave letter indicating the city qualifies as a large employer; the personnel policy has been updated accordingly. Menth also said she is preparing year-end reports and noted interest from candidates for a part-time position ahead of her planned 2027 retirement.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Shirley Jaeger at 7:00 p.m. and adjourned at 7:47 p.m.