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Northfield council reviews 2026 budget; CFO warns of appropriations-cap pressure
Summary
City finance staff presented a draft 2026 budget that relies on $125,000 from the CAP bank and warns the municipality is near its appropriations cap; councilmembers were asked to prioritize capital projects to stay below a $5 million five-year target.
City of Northfield finance officials presented the town's draft 2026 budget at a Feb. 26 workshop and warned council members the municipality was close to its statutory appropriations cap.
Chief Financial Officer Stollenwerk told the council that using $125,000 from the CAP bank would leave about $75,000 in reserve and that the draft includes keeping non-aligned employees at a 4% increase and a 3.5% cap increase on one-time expenses. She said the budget adds a new sworn patrol officer with benefits and allocates $1,000 for community policing while moving several police and public-works requests into capital lines to manage operating costs.
Stollenwerk also flagged potential legal exposure tied to asset-management equipment discussed at a Joint Insurance Fund meeting and said she would circulate the JIF minutes and attorney comments. She advised council that some unfunded requests would require cuts elsewhere if members want them included.
The council did not adopt the budget at the workshop; Stollenwerk recommended introducing the budget on March 24, 2026, and asked members to indicate priorities so staff can refine the plan.
