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‘LoAo <br /> Minutes <br /> City Council Work Session <br /> W <br /> Monday, September 8, 2025, 5:00 PM <br /> ESHO City Council Chambers 12780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 <br /> ROLL CALL <br /> Council members present: Mayor Bob Tunheim, Alisa Benson, Jacqueline Ricks, Steve Persian, Jon <br /> Schwingler. <br /> Staff present: City Administrator Adam Edwards, Finance Director Maggie Jin, Accountant/HR <br /> Representative Anne Hentges, City Clerk Christine Lusian, Parks and Facilities Superintendent Joe <br /> Ruthenberg, Public Works Superintendent DJ Goman, Community Development Director Laura <br /> Oakden. <br /> 2026 BUDGET <br /> The Finance Director presented a revised preliminary 2026 general fund budget and tax levy. <br /> Adjustments include reducing pavement by $100k, facilities by $25k, street trees/maintenance by <br /> $50k, and general fund levy by $72,400. City is awaiting health insurance proposals. The proposed <br /> tax rate is 16.405%, slightly up from 16.361% in 2025,with a 6.72% levy increase of$10.28M. For <br /> a median home valued at$1.1 M, this equates to about a$10 monthly increase, while Orono remains <br /> one of the lowest in property taxes among comparable cities. The general fund budget is $12.48M, a <br /> 4.6%increase, reflecting inflation, rising market values, and pending union wage negotiations. It <br /> was noted that once the preliminary budget is set, the levy cannot increase but funds can be shifted <br /> between areas. <br /> Council discussed several items needing further analysis: the shift from Central Services to Facilities <br /> Services, IT budget growth with police security requirements, and comparisons of police budget per <br /> capita and council compensation with peer cities. Concerns were raised about sustaining parks <br /> maintenance after significant investment, with suggestions to engage residents in volunteer efforts. <br /> Questions were also raised on Spring Park Public Works allocations, golf staff winter duties, and an <br /> expenditure transfer. Staff were directed to provide follow-up analysis on personnel vs professional <br /> services, as well as peer city comparisons of police budget per capita and council compensation. <br /> ADJOURNMENT <br /> Work session ended at 5:53 p.m. <br /> ATTEST. CITY COUNCIL <br /> Christ sian, lerk Bob Tunheim, Mayor <br />