Council sets preliminary 2025 levy as staff flags streets, police and EDA costs

The Lindstrom City Council voted to adopt a preliminary 2025 levy after a staff presentation showing the proposed budget would increase funding for streets, the police contract and the economic development authority.

Miss Kaye, who presented the staff memo, said the tax rate "will be going from 41.99 to 45.83" and explained notable changes including a $212,007.75 increase to the road construction fund and a $33,500 uptick to the EDA budget. She said the city expects $520,003.54 in local government aid, with $312,003.54 planned for capital items. Under the staff recommendation, the preliminary levy figure discussed by council members was $3,623,471.

Council members pressed staff on how to reduce the levy and where to find savings. One council member noted that removing the road increase and the EDA allocation would reduce the levy to roughly a 2.8% increase, while staff and others warned the police-contract line and other fixed costs limit potential reductions. Staff noted the streets budget has been "laddered" with planned increases that peak in 2025 before leveling off in subsequent years.

Council moved, seconded and then voted to set the preliminary levy so the county can be notified; the chair announced the motion passed. The levy as adopted tonight is preliminary and may be reduced but not increased before final certification; the council set a truth-in-taxation hearing date to follow the required schedule.