HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-2025 CC Minutes - work session ‘LoAo
Minutes
City Council Work Session
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Monday, September 8, 2025, 5:00 PM
ESHO City Council Chambers 12780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Mayor Bob Tunheim, Alisa Benson, Jacqueline Ricks, Steve Persian, Jon
Schwingler.
Staff present: City Administrator Adam Edwards, Finance Director Maggie Jin, Accountant/HR
Representative Anne Hentges, City Clerk Christine Lusian, Parks and Facilities Superintendent Joe
Ruthenberg, Public Works Superintendent DJ Goman, Community Development Director Laura
Oakden.
2026 BUDGET
The Finance Director presented a revised preliminary 2026 general fund budget and tax levy.
Adjustments include reducing pavement by $100k, facilities by $25k, street trees/maintenance by
$50k, and general fund levy by $72,400. City is awaiting health insurance proposals. The proposed
tax rate is 16.405%, slightly up from 16.361% in 2025,with a 6.72% levy increase of$10.28M. For
a median home valued at$1.1 M, this equates to about a$10 monthly increase, while Orono remains
one of the lowest in property taxes among comparable cities. The general fund budget is $12.48M, a
4.6%increase, reflecting inflation, rising market values, and pending union wage negotiations. It
was noted that once the preliminary budget is set, the levy cannot increase but funds can be shifted
between areas.
Council discussed several items needing further analysis: the shift from Central Services to Facilities
Services, IT budget growth with police security requirements, and comparisons of police budget per
capita and council compensation with peer cities. Concerns were raised about sustaining parks
maintenance after significant investment, with suggestions to engage residents in volunteer efforts.
Questions were also raised on Spring Park Public Works allocations, golf staff winter duties, and an
expenditure transfer. Staff were directed to provide follow-up analysis on personnel vs professional
services, as well as peer city comparisons of police budget per capita and council compensation.
ADJOURNMENT
Work session ended at 5:53 p.m.
ATTEST. CITY COUNCIL
Christ sian, lerk Bob Tunheim, Mayor