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St. Paul council adopts 2024–25 budget, approves electric-rate ordinance and construction payments
Summary
The council adopted the city's 2024–25 budget, approved Ordinance 1051 adjusting municipal electric rates, authorized Bierman Contracting pay requests totaling $120,189.25 and approved fund transfers related to the fire station project.
The St. Paul City Council voted unanimously Aug. 19 to adopt the proposed 2024–25 budget, approve an amendment to municipal electric rates and authorize several construction payments and transfers tied to the fire-station project.
Council member Chuck Schmid moved, and Council member Bill Peters seconded, to adopt the proposed budget changes after a public comment period closed at 8:08 p.m. Mayor Mike Feeken had told the audience the proposed tax rate would decrease by about 8% compared with the current year, while the property's overall tax request would increase because of debt-service bonds.
Council also approved two pay requests from Bierman Contracting Inc.: Pay Request #1 for $76,607.05 (bonds, insurance, submittal exchange costs) and Pay Request #2 for $43,582.20 (site grading and supervision). The council authorized City Clerk Connie Jo Beck to transfer $300,000 from Fire Station Construction NPAIT #23251-201 to the project checking account to absorb construction costs.
On utilities, Council member Katie Kowalski introduced Ordinance 1051 to amend Article 322, Chapter 3 of the municipal code to set customer charges for the municipal electrical system. The council previously approved a $2.00 base rate increase for all electrical classes and a 2.5% usage increase effective Oct. 1; the council waived three readings and later voted for final passage of Ordinance 1051 by unanimous vote.
The consent agenda — including the July 2024 Treasurer's Report, minutes of recent meetings, listed disbursements, a $250,000 transfer from Heritage Bank to checking to pay disbursements, and recognition of St. Paul Rescue Squad EMTs Nekita Powell and Briana Powell — was approved by unanimous vote.
Votes at a glance: Adopt budget (4–0); Bierman pay requests approved (4–0); transfer $300,000 to fire-station account (4–0); Ord. 1051 waived and adopted (4–0); consent agenda approved (4–0).
