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Minutes <br />City Council Work Session <br />Monday, July 28, 2025, 4:00 PM <br />City Council Chambers 12780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 <br />ROLL CALL <br />City Council members present: Mayor Bob Tunheim, City Council Members Jacqueline Ricks, Jon <br />Schwingler, Steve Persian (5:15). Absent: Alisa Benson. <br />Staff present: City Administrator Adam Edwards, Police Chief Correy Farniok, Interim Fire Chief <br />Shea Chwialkowski, Community Development Director Laura Oakden, Public Works <br />Superintendent DJ Goman, Parks/Facilities Superintendent Joe Ruthenberg, Finance Director <br />Maggie Jin, Accountant Anne Hentges, City Clerk Christine Lusian. <br />GENERAL FUND, TAX LEVY, INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS <br />Staff provided a preliminary update on the general fund, tax levy, and internal service fund <br />budgets. The process is about one-third complete. At this point, the tax rate is estimated at <br />16.797%, representing a small increase from 2025. For the median -value home in Orono ($1.11 <br />million), this would mean about $14 more per month. <br />The group expressed interest in keeping the tax rate as stable as possible, while recognizing <br />rising costs associated with priorities like community engagement, technology, and tree removal. <br />Key cost drivers include inflation, health insurance changes, new family medical leave law <br />requirements, maintenance of streets and trees, and union employee compensation packages <br />(currently in negotiation). Departments are planning for initiatives such as enhanced police <br />staffing and software, an updated comprehensive 10-year plan, increased tree care and park <br />maintenance, and the administration of two elections. <br />Staff will continue refining the budget and present an updated proposal at the September 8 work <br />session for further discussion. <br />ADJOURNMENT <br />Work session ended at 5:48 p.m. <br />ATTEST: <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />Christine Lusian, City Clerk Bob Tunheim, Mayor <br />15 <br />