City Council Work Session 07.28.2025

Monday, July 28, 2025

2026 City Levy overview

Storm water fee-to-levy conversion

Debt service levies (2017 and 2023 bonds)

Capital equipment and street improvement fund increases

Vista Curry tax abatement payments

Water and sewer rate adjustments

Public communication and transparency strategies regarding tax changes

Areas of Interest (4)

City of St. Francis shifting storm water funding from fee-based model to property tax levy, causing estimated 19% city tax increase on some homes.
City council debates efficacy of public town halls as residents remain largely unengaged on complex municipal budget shifts.
Long-term capital bond constraints limit council's ability to pay down principal early, locking city into interest payments until 2048.
Proposed $120,000 annual increase for street improvements faces scrutiny regarding necessity vs. inflationary costs.

Notable Quotes (3)

If you take out that new one, which was a fee base, the state the storm water, that would bring it down to $695,000, which would be 11% increase on the levy over last year.
— Darcy

2026 LevyExplaining the breakdown of the 2026 budget increase.

If you take out the MS4, you're saying it'd be $131.69 and then what's the what what is that incre if we took out the MS4... 10%?
— Kevin

Storm Water CostsCalculating the impact of the storm water fee shift on household taxes.

I don't have a lot of faith unfortunately in the public. I just don't have a lot of faith. They could be here right now, but they're not.
— Mayor Bogo

Public EngagementCommenting on low public attendance at city work sessions.

People (4)

DarcyCity Staff/Finance

Explaining the 2026 levy calculation and shifting storm water costs.

1 quote

“If you take out that new one, which was a fee base, the state the storm water, that would bring it down to $695,000, which would be 11% increase on the levy over last year.”

Discussing the impact of the storm water fee shift on the total levy percentage.

Mayor BogoMayor

Presiding over the work session.

KevinCouncil Member

Proposing a town hall meeting for transparency.

1 quote

“I'd like to strongly suggest something of this magnitude and it is a milestone for us. If we go down this road... maybe to actually have an open house for a town meeting.”

Advocating for public outreach regarding tax increases.

MikeCouncil Member

Expressing skepticism regarding public turnout for fiscal meetings.

Places Mentioned

St. Francis (City)

Events & Meetings (4)

Work session, Monday, July 28th, 5:30 p.m.
Preliminary levy setting, September
Truth and Taxation notices, November
Final levy setting meeting, December

View Source