9-3-2025 Nowthen Budget Session

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Areas of Interest (4)

City faces $191k budget gap between 2025 projections and 2026 requests, driven largely by salary and benefit increases.
Council debates cutting 'miscellaneous' spending and newsletter costs as part of fiscal tightening.
Proposed changes to recycling center operations threaten state/county funding subsidies of ~$29k.
Questions arise regarding accuracy of recycling resident tracking and credit for waste disposal metrics.

Approve the agenda as presented

CarriedUnanimous voice vote

Moved by Council member · Seconded by Unnamed council member

Approve the consent agenda

CarriedUnanimous voice vote

Moved by Council member · Seconded by Council Member Ryan

The 26 budget is reflective of having full staff and that's what the difference is.
— Jagger

Budget/StaffingExplaining the $37,000 budget discrepancy in administrative staff.

If we don't make dinner, then okay, we don't... I could reduce it to 500. I hate to go to zero.
— Council Member Brian

Budget/MiscellaneousDebating the necessity of a $1,000 miscellaneous budget for refreshments.

The first one I offer is reducing staff by one employee... The con is the center is unstaffed if an employee is absent.
— Jagger

Recycling CenterOutlining the risks associated with reducing recycling center staffing.

Mayor HibbitMayor

Presides over budget discussions and council meetings.

JaggerFinancial Consultant

Presents budget projections and responds to fiscal inquiries.

Council Member BrianCouncil Member

Advocates for cost-cutting measures and scrutinized budget lines.

1 quote

“if miscellaneous is paying for mints at council meetings then I don't think we should be spending”

Critiquing the $1,000 miscellaneous budget item.

Council Member SwintsonCouncil Member

Expresses support for maintaining city services and transparency.

RamseySt. FrancisAnoka County