I was at soccer from 5 till just now and then realized I starving. So >> yeah, >> reach out to me. Call to order the meeting on Tuesday, September 8th, 2026 at 6 p.m. Please rise for the pledge. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Roll call, please. Jenny, >> mayor Vogle >> here. >> Council members Robinson >> here. >> Advis >> here. >> Neilower >> here. >> Thank you, Jenny. on to approval of the agenda and we're going to be pulling item 9A under new business. The Willow Ridge Business Center site plan is no longer necessary. So, we're going to be pulling 9A with that. Uh, do I have a motion to accept our agenda as modified? >> I'll make the motion, mayor. >> Motion by Councilman Udvig. Do I have a second? I'll >> second it. Second by Councilman Fis. Roll call vote, please, Jenny. Um, mayor, just one correction. You said 9A. It's actually 4 A >> or four. Nope. >> Nope. >> Oh, 9A. Sorry. Okay, got it. >> Never mind. >> I got one right. >> Mayor Vogle. [laughter] >> I. >> Council members Robinson. >> Hi. >> Uvig. >> Hi. >> Fanis. >> Hi. >> Neil. >> Hi. >> On to our consent agenda. Do I have a motion to accept tonight's consent agenda? >> Make the motion. Mayor. Motion by Councilman Robinson. Do I have a second? I'll second Councilman Meer. Uh, anybody want discuss anything or pull anything from that? >> Hearing none. Seeing none, uh, roll call vote, please. Jenny, >> Mayor Vogle, >> I. >> Council members Muower >> I, >> Bonis, >> I, >> Advik. >> I, >> Robinson. >> I. >> On to meeting open to the public. Anybody wishing to speak, come on forward. Hey Joe, >> how's it going? >> Good. >> So, I know that the proposed budget's on the on the docket and uh I know that we're last I heard it was a 10% increase. Now we're down to like a 9% increase and we need to drive those costs down in some manner or form. Also caught wind that uh we're going to jack around liquor store when uh liquor store is turning a profit. Uh, as far as I'm concerned, it's probably one of very few liquor stores in the state that are municipal that turn a profit. And then on top of that, I want to know or if somebody can please enlighten me on why we went with the project 47 that we went with after Matt Look was up here and things were taken care of and we had community input and somehow we're going to end up with all sorts of roundabouts. Um, I'm I'm sure a lot of people in in the community are, you know, kind of wondering why we went against what the people said, "Hey, this is what we want." And then on top of that, I want to know if the three houses up here on ambassador if they're on the docket for uh HA funding and buying them out to go with the property that's behind subway or if they're going to deem them as if they're ever sold to go commercial with the property on the corner cuz the house that was purchased by with HA funds to reach a property behind subway, you still have those three houses that are still reming. painting there. It's pointless. The church was bought. The other house was bought. I don't you know my idea. It's kind of kind of foolish. You know, I understand why we bought the hair salon, why that was paid for that was used to pay for the uh super awesome fire department. Everybody knows how I feel about that. But uh those are, I guess, some of my concerns that I have at this point in time. Um, and I do have to give uh Paul a props. Awesome job fixing the lock so we can get in. So, thank you very much. >> Just real quick, Joel. I mean, how would you like how would you like answers to to some of the stuff you put? I mean, do you want somebody from staff reach out to you with answers? >> Something something would be nice, you know, because I know there's a lot of people in town. They're saying some of the same things I'm saying. You know, we want to keep costs down. And I understand that costs are rising, but there's got to be a point where we say, "Hey, we need to live within our means." Cuz if you ran your house like a government, you'd be broke in two days. >> Do we have Joel's contact information that we can get? Okay. I do. >> Okay. Super. So, it it it it'll be nice if we, you know, and I I'm not I'm not up here to, you know, vilify anybody or anything, but it it something needs to be reigned in because it's become increasingly unaffordable. When I first moved in here, I bought my house, my my property tax has doubled. my house is doubled in value. But with that being said, to me it looks more like a gimmick of, hey, I want to grab some money. And I know that there was a news article just recently, I believe yesterday, I read it, that there was a man taking Iani County assessors to court as far as his house value for his house because he's thinking the same thing as, hey, this is a money grab. And that's exactly what it is. And it's ridiculous. So, thank you very much. >> Thanks, Joe. Anybody else wishing to speak at this time? >> Seeing none, we'll move on to new bism new business item B, fireboard training reimbursement. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Yeah, absolutely. Sorry. >> Just state your name. Lisa, do you want my last name? >> I think Jen does. Or can you get it later if if you want to keep it private? It's up there. >> Zuk Zuk. >> Thank you. >> Um, I guess I just want to piggy back on what he's saying. I moved out here four years ago and my taxes have doubled. I sell real estate. I I guess, you know, we move out here to not pay the high taxes. And there's other reasons we move move out here as well. Um, so I don't know how you're going to communicate with him, but I would like to see some of those answers. Are we going to put that in meeting notes or how are you going to communicate? >> Mayor, if we could collect your email, I can include you as well. >> Okay. >> Some of some of the answers are going to be coming from somehat different departments, too. So, okay. If >> you as long as you get it to Jenny, [clears throat] we're good. So, Yep. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Lisa. Anybody else? Okay, on to new business. Item B, fireboard training reimbursement. Kate or Dave or >> uh I can take this one. So, mayor and council, before you tonight is a request for clarification from council as to what we would like to do in regards to training reimbursement. So, as the agenda memo states, we received an original amount of just over $7,000 as it dealt with a midyear um transition from being the fire department was a city, then it turned into a district. We just by precedence um because there wasn't any history or and there's not any policy we split that in half to kind of recognize the two ownership model department. We have received a second um fund funding amount that came in just over $23,000. And at this point, we need to determine is council interested in again splitting that or would they be interested in in granting all of the funds to the fire district to aid in the current budget year? Um if the city was to get those funds, um it would get wrapped into our current budget year if the fire district needs those this year. Otherwise, they would be able to use that to um also have a benefit for next year as well. So, just some direction from council. what would you like to do with this $23,000 and we will u move the funds accordingly? But I happy to answer any questions and then Dave is here as well to answer questions. So, >> anybody want to start us off here? >> I'll start. Mayor, go ahead. >> I would probably recommend splitting the funds between the two entities. >> That's all. >> That's where I would go too. I prefer to be split. >> Amy, >> me as well. Joel. >> Um, that's fine with me. I don't have an issue with that either. If that's precedent, we can stick with it. >> That's kind of where I I mean that's kind of where it's falling. I guess I get just have kind of one question maybe direct more at Navly. How wise? Is there an advantage? Is it cleaner or better to do it accounting wise? Is there any >> uh It doesn't It doesn't matter for the accounting side which way it goes. if it falls into the it's already sitting in the general fund for the city right now. Um so it would either be a full transfer or a partial transfer over to the district. >> Okay, I think we've got our consensus and I just to split it. So do we need a we don't need a formal vote. We just need the consensus on it. >> Is that enough direction or do we need a formal vote? Do you want a formal vote? >> Formal vote would be ideal. Okay. >> So do I >> Mr. I just ask one question. So, how [clears throat] much do we does the fire service normally get per year for this type of reimbursement? >> It varies yeartoear. So, minfact is kind of the legislative set legislative piece of the state fire marshall's office. That's where their budget appro appropriations go through. So, the number really varies year after year depending on a state funding level. So, we've had years where the fund has been pretty robust and we've had years where it's been pretty low. This has kind of fall in I would say the medium area of what we've seen historically for the MBTFE funding. Um last year I think we're 30,000 plus. This year we're at that 23,000 for the secondary distribution. So it's about it's an average year. >> Okay. And it's based on um training that is not done inhouse. >> It can be inhouse or outside. If it's inside, you have to have a qualified instructor that instructs those courses to be eligible for the reimbursements. >> Okay. And then um so next year, this won't come up with us again because it's just because it's the half year, >> correct? And then how do you get the funds? Do you apply? Is it like writing is it like writing a grant or >> Nope. We have to submit our they have a portal through the MBTFE. So, anytime we have a training receipt or invoice, we have [clears throat] to submit that through the portal, which the finance department does, and we also have to upload our roster. So, there's a minimum funding allocation for every fire department every year based on staffing. The second reimbursement is based off of actual usage of training and training hours. >> Okay. So, the you said that it could be in-house training also as long as the person doing the training is certified to do >> that particular >> qualified instructor. Yep. >> Like they just have to take the instructor course or >> there's a specific process for the state to become a qualified instructor. >> Is any of anyone on the district? Yes. >> Certified? >> Of course. >> Um like a few of you or >> Yeah, we have a couple. >> Okay. Okay. All right. That's all I had. >> Any other questions? But I guess I'm looking for a motion to uh split the re the fireboard training reimbursement. Do I have a motion? >> Make that motion. Mayor Motion by Councilman Robinson. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. May >> second by Councilman Udvig. Uh, roll call vote, please. Jenny. >> Mayor Vogel. >> I. >> Council member Fonis. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Robinson. >> Hi. >> Melbower. >> I. >> On to item C, request for an Oka County H funds for easement and burn property. Kate. >> Yes. Mayor Council, before you tonight [clears throat and cough] is a resolution in regards to a property that we were working with along Highway 47 that is within the path of our Highway 47 utility project. So, what these funds would do would would be to allow us to uh do a fireburn training on the property and then get an easement from the homeowner. So, we are looking at these funds to do some abatement and the removal of ash. If for some reason we are not allowed to do a burn, it would also pay for a hauling of the structure itself. Um, we're not buying the property. We're not we're not gaining anything but the easement for our utility line project that was funded by the state and feds. And this this funding would allow us to get the house out of the way and to get that easement in place. With that, I'm happy to answer any questions. Just before we get to questions, do you want to quickly explain the HRA funds like prior to the meeting that we had that discussion? >> Sure. So, >> yep. So, mayor and council, the HRA funds actually come from the residents of the city of St. Francis. So, on your property statement every fall, you will have an individual line down at the bottom under the county for the HRA. The county collects those funds on the behalf of 13 various cities within the county that do not have their own HR EDA. So with those funds, they get set aside for us for eligible projects. So it must meet a state statute eligible project for either an HRA and an EDA. I attended the um HA management committee meeting this morning with Anoka County and this met all of the qualifications. So they are able to grant us these funds at the end of the month. Um but this is resident tax dollars that come back to us for qualified projects. So >> thanks Kate. >> Yep. Um, any anybody want to go first? >> I'll go first. >> Go ahead. >> Um, is there any discount on the since we're if we were allowed to burn it, do we getting any any discount or any uh rebate per se for helping the owner out by eliminating that building and itself or we're taking on the full responsibility of the building and buying just that strip of land? >> So, mayor and council, so we're we're we're taking on the the I guess we're getting the benefit of the burn. So, we get the training burn. Um, with that, we get the property out of the way for the easement. We won't actually own the land. This is an easement upon the land. Um, that allows us to put our pipes down because MDOT will not allow them to be put in the rightway. So, in order to run that project that forward, we actually have to get the house out of the way. Using it for a burn is kind of a dual purpose. And these funds is the 75,000 is an up to. I really don't anticipate we're going to need that much, but I do have some concerns that there may be the unknowns. We're always trying to make sure we've got the unknowns covered. Um, we know that there's a speestous and we also know that there's a old fuel tank that's down there that has to be removed. Um, I don't anticipate we'll need the the 75,000. However, we're we're using that as uh kind of the leverage to get the easement as well because if we don't get the easement, we can't lay the pipe. So, as we're not buying it, we're kind of buying the easement. We're not buying the property if that makes sense. >> And this is part of the 125 acres. I take it just a small sliver >> correct >> of the ement that we need. >> Yep. >> How will that I'm off the beaten path a little bit, but there's a swamp to the south of that structure. Um, [clears throat] how will that be dealt with is I mean that's that's closer to the road currently, the shoulder of the the rightway and the house and the barn seem to be farther away from the rightway. Um, we need that much space. I mean, is that is that far away? >> So, mayor and council, the problem is is there's a lot of mind easement. It's not as wide on the on the northern end of Highway 47 as it is down here in the main corridor. Um, however, [clears throat] that pond that's just south of that house actually dips out as right of way. So, we're working with um Craig and his engineering team right now to get, you know, those the where all of that those lines will lay. Um, and they are the ones that will draft this easement agreement along with our legal team and that will be in front of council in the next couple of meetings hopefully too. Um but yeah, we have to kind of account for Mandot's very crooked right away up there, which includes that pond. So, >> okay. Is the owner receptive or have they been approached preliminarily or previously about this is what our intentions are? Are you willing to work with us on this? And >> yes, we work with this um this property owner a lot. They have been working with us through some land use applications in the past. Uh they currently have it for sale. So they we we offer a lot of technical assistance. Um Paul and his team and Jody, they met with them uh along with Craig and that's how they came up with kind of this agreement that you know we can use the house for a training burn in L for the easement. We'll help with you know take care of some of this abatement. Um so it was a mutual a mutual agreement. >> And just to reiterate, we're not buying the land. We're buying the rightway through there but the land is still for sale. We're not purchasing any real estate period. Correct. We are not purchasing any real estate. We are essentially gaining an easement. >> Understood. Thank you. Thank you, mayor. >> Sir, anything? >> Oh, that answered my questions as well. >> Joel, >> nothing further. Amy, >> I just have one question. So, now that the fire department is a district, is there is there a cost to the city for them to use this as a training burn or is it just the benefit that you get to use it as training burn? Is there a cost to the city for that? No. mayor and council. So, there won't be any cost to the city for them. They will take care of all of their own permits. Um, we will help with our HA funds to take that ash out at the end and to clean, you know, get that final load out of there, but other than that, it's not costing the city to to partner with the district. So, >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. >> I don't I don't have any questions as well. I think we're on to I'm looking for a motion to approve resolution 2026-36 requesting funds from Anoka County H for the demolition of property. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make that motion, Mr. Mayor. >> Motion by Councilman Fonis. Do I have a second? Joel, >> second. >> Council me second. >> Roll call vote, please. Jenny. Mayor >> Vogel. I council member Fanes. Hi. Uvig. Hi. >> Robinson. Hi. Mbower. Hi. On to item D under new business, Rum River Fire District 2027 budget approval. Dave, >> mayor and councel, before you is a request to approve the Rum River Fire District, St. Francis Share for the year of 2027. Um, we were back here back in July presenting our initial budget. Uh, we had direction from staff to go back and see if we could make some alterations, changes, and reductions to our budget. Uh during that process, we did discover that we had a few underfunded line items within our 2026 budget that would have ultimately carried over to our 2027 budget. So, we do did have to make some internal corrections to compensate for those errors. Um with that being said, we were able to shift some of our requests for capital funds next year over to our operational side to offset those expenditures. And we're still coming in at an overall $10,000 decrease at a million46200 for the year of 2027. Um it is important to note that of these errors that were discovered, we were able to correct them internally with no additional cost to the taxpayer. Um our budget was unanimously approved by the fireboard at our August meeting. Um consecutively, it was also approved by the Bethl City Council last Thursday unanimous unanimously as well. Um I've attached our budget spreadsheet which shows our allocations for um where those budget dollars are going and I also included a sheet that shows the overall cost and breakout with the formula for the city of St. Francis. With that, I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. >> Let's start with you, Joe. I know you've done a lot a lot of discussions with this, so >> Well, yeah. I mean, we we had a meeting um Natalie and uh the fire department, I guess, or fire district. We had a meeting last week, I think it was. Um discussed a lot of things. Obviously, I'd like to see it go down more. Um we've discussed that. uh given some of this the issues we've had with the trans and some of the cost uh from 26 that would lead into 27. Um I think it's great that you got it down 10,000. Again, that's not a lot, but um at this time where the city's overall uh levy is with the district. Um I wanted it at least to get down to nine and a half. We got below that. So I don't have any further questions. Um I think we we answered a lot during that meeting. Thanks, Joe. Amy, >> um, [clears throat] thank you for getting it down $10,000. Um, I guess I I just can't wrap my head around the fact that um, the budget in 2021 was $426,000 for the fire department and in 2022 it was $47,000. 2023 483 2024 503 then it jumped up to 868 in 2026 this year and now it's at 1,ion46,000. So I'm just I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around that. Um and the call volume has stayed relatively stable between 2021 and now according to the numbers that I got off of our re our meeting um the first part of August. Um so I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around that. Um, >> primarily the of the 1,46,000 um almost half of that over half of that is is personnel and that's the personnel budget is way more than what the budget was just 5 years ago, the whole budget. So, um I'm having a hard time with that. And um I think that the fire district was supposed to cost less money, not more. And it just seems like it's just more. And so um that's my feeling on it. Um I think we could do more to do internal training. It um that wouldn't cost the an outside instructor. um because I know those those costs are pretty high and um I think that we could do more in um making um not all of the fire department get paged out to every call. Um I've been asking for that and I I don't see any movement there. Um so I'm certain your budget will pass here tonight, but I'm going to vote no. Sarah. >> Um, I don't have any questions. I too met with Natalie and Dave and Tim and I got my question back. I'm >> sir. Kevin, >> I got a question for Amy just off the record. On the record, did you have the opportunity? Were you invited and did you meet with uh Natalie and or the chief at all like the rest of us did? >> No, I didn't. >> Can I ask why? >> Um, I was out of town for part of that time. >> We had about two and a half weeks. So, I was just curious if you wanted to be involved or, you know, dive in. >> I felt like I understood the information that was here and so I didn't feel it was necessary. >> Okay. Um, I'm on the board as well as being a council member, so I've been over this a couple times and I also met with Natalie and the chief when I had the opportunity and everybody should seek knowledge when they had the opportunity. Um, I don't have a problem with this at this goround. This is a brand new thing coming out. Um, as far as personnel, we're going to get into our own city budget. We're going to see where p personnel and stuff has grown. Cost of living has gone up. Um, everything seems to be going up, but I I'm I have no other problems with this other than I know the chief is going to be a good steward uh moving forward, and it has been in the past. Um, I have I'm that's all I have. Kevin. >> Yeah. So, just to add in, I also met Chief and Natalie and and had good discussions about this and obviously I'm on the Rum River Fire District board as well and we've had some very long discussions about this as well. It it's a very I want to phrase this. Yeah, I I I guess I did warn it's it's never going to save us the fire district was never going to save us money. We I said that up front. Well, what we hopefully is going to do is going to reduce the amount the size of the increases and it's never I can't imagine how I'll because we already had the working agreement already. It's not going to save money. Hopefully, it reduces the increases. Unfortunately, as laid out in his report, there's multiple things that went into this, including a website that costs more than we thought, the cola that wasn't accounted for correctly, etc. So, I just look at it as I say, you know, what are what are our choices? I don't see a choice. And and and I I really Dave and I have had long talks about this, many different talks about this. The fire department is [clears throat] in a very call it a difficult spot. We as citizens are very demanding. We put out surveys. How quickly would you want us to the call? Well, what do you think people respond with? I want them there now. They watch TV and they watch movies where the police and fire are there within seconds and save everybody's lives. So, that's what the expectation becomes of the public. Well, the fire chief can give you that, but it's going to cost it's going to cost a lot of money. And so I I think some of this is all unre unreal un unre unre unrealistic expectations from the public to some degree because we can provide that those kind of services. We could have a fire truck on every corner if that's what you want. So it's a difficult balance. I I agree with some of your things. I I still think there's things we can tweak. I I don't think it adjusts the number greatly, but I I do think there are things we can continue to discuss and and tweak about to your response about everybody responding for instance. So, it's I'm I'm going to vote yes for it. I it's I struggle with with some some of the things, but overall I I know what our fire service does for us. I greatly appreciate what they do for us. I just like anything else as Kevin mentioned earlier, you know, I have concerns throughout the bud budget through other departments too about the same kind of increases. So I I just don't see how we have much choice here at at this point in time and I'm not that disappointed that I'm going to vote no. So with that, anybody else want to chime in with anything else? Hearing none. Do I have a motion to approve resolution 2026-37? Oh, excuse me. Wrong wrong item. Sorry. Item D, Rome River Fire District 2027, budget approval. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make the motion, Mayor. >> Motion by Councilman Robinson. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Second by Councilman Udvig. Roll call vote, please. >> Mayor Vogle, >> I. >> Council member Sonis, may >> Udvig. >> Robinson. >> Hi. >> Muower. >> Hi. Thank you everyone. On to item E, 2027 preliminary tax levy and adjustment to debt service levies. Natalie Good evening, Mayor and Council. Since our initial levy presentation on July 20th, staff has continued to work diligently to refine the proposed numbers and reduce the overall levy. >> Move the mic over to her. I'm sorry. I knew that was going to be the case. >> All right. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> All right. So, since our initial levy presentation on July 20th, staff has continued to work diligently to refine the proposed numbers and reduce the overall levy impact on residents. At that time, we presented an anticipated levy increase of 10.17%. Over the past several weeks, staff have reviewed all department budgets line by line, identified reductions, and adjusted expenditures were feasible. As a result of that work, we've been able to lower the proposed levy increase to 9.09%, which is the updated figure being presented to you this evening. City funds that are supported by the levy include the general fund, debt service, special revenues, and capital improvements. Gambling uh was removed by ordinance amendment effective as of July 31st, 2026. The city also has funds that are not tied to the tax levy and those include the water, sewer, and liquor funds. Those funds are self- sustaining funds that are feebased sources. Other funds which are not tied to the tax levy are ADA funds and escro accounts. The general fund includes departments of the city council, administration, finance, police, public works, and community development. The Rem River Fire District is also included in this fund along with the tax levy for V for the Vista Prairie tax abatement. The total general fund levy proposal for 2027 is 5,17,366. staff has located a $24,000 fee that has been removed from the finance department salaries, reductions in workman's comp compens workman's compensation rates for all departments for the year 2027 along with a $10,000 decrease to the Rem River Fire District budget. These amounts attributed to the reduction of the proposed request for the general fund. In total, $42,812 were reduced from the original proposal in July. In St. Francis, oop, sorry, go to the next slide. In St. Francis, our debt service funds are directly tied to capital projects that were previously approved and constructed. The tax levy supports the annual debt payments for those projects, ensuring we meet our long-term financial obligations. For our community specifically, these debt service obligations include financing for the police public works building as well as the city hall fire station facility. The amount of the debt service levy that's proposed to remain that's proposed is to remain the same as it was set in 2026. $310,000 for the police public works building and $790,000 for the city hall fire station repayments. [snorts] Capital improvement funds allow the city to proactively manage and pay for major longlasting infrastructure needs like roads, buildings, and equipment. Instead of reacting to emergencies or unexpected failures, a capital improvement plan provides our clear roadmap of what needs to be replaced, when it should happen, and how it can be funded. The building improvement levy is proposed at $75,000 for 2027, capital equipment at two $200,000, street improvements at $840,000, park improvements at $300,000, and storm water at $300,000. When presented with the original levy request in July, the capital equipment fund request was set to $235,000. Staff has reduced the fund request by $35,000 for 2027 by adjusting equipment purchase requests for two public works vehicles over to lease vehicle options for cost savings over the next 10 years. The property tax levy in 2026 was set to 16.09% of an increase over 2025. The 2027 increase is being proposed at 9.09% over 2026 with a total levy amount of 7 million832,366. Um, in this slide you can see year-to-year comparisons of the proposed levy. General operating is a 4% increase. The Rem River Fire District with a 14% increase. Vista Prairie Tax Abatement with a 300% increase. Capital Equipment at a 14% increase. Parks with 20% increase. Building improvement fund with a 50% increase. uh storm water remaining the same at $300,000 and the street improvement with a 17% increase. The tax abatement for Vista Prairie is set to $200,000 for 2027 and cannot go higher than that $200,000. This amount will likely remain steady and unchanged through the remainder of the abatement period. Uh this is where it's about to get really really wordy with [laughter] how you calculate the city tax rate. Um the formula to calculate to calculate the city tax rate can be broken down in the visual on the screen. The proposed preliminary levy amount is $7,832,366 minus our fiscal disparities amount of 1,226,160, equaling the spreadable levy to the city's tax base. That spreadable levy amount comes out to $6,66,26. Then you take the city's tax capacity value of $11,62047 minus out fiscal disparity contributions of $5746 and you get [clears throat] our adjusted tax capacity value of 11,146,939. Next, you take your spreadable levy amount of $6,66 and divide by the adjusted tax capacity amount to get to your 2027 city of St. Francis tax rate of 59.265%. Any questions on that one? It's very wordy and I can send the formula from the county if anybody would like to see that too. The city tax rate for 2026 was set at 59.563% and the proposed tax rate for 2027 is 59.265% an increase of 02% increase over last year. The estimated market value comparison shows 2025 to 2026 market values. The average residential home value has increased in St. Francis by 6% since last year with the average residential home value at 346,640. This next slide provides an estimated tax bill for your city portion of your tax bill only. The increase in average residential value along with their proposed city tax rate of 59.565% is illustrated on the screen. I'll use the average home value of around $350,000 for St. Francis, for example. In 2026, the city portion of a homeowner with a home valued at $350,000 [clears throat] would have been $1985.31. In 2027, a home valued at $350,000 will see a tax bill increase of 7 more than last year. You won't see an exclusion on property valued over $517,20027. That's a side note for the county as well. The schedule continues with budgeting and planning through December. Tonight, we're seeking to set the preliminary levy and setting the hearing date for the truth in taxation and final budget adoption. By September 30th, the preliminary levy is set and sent to the county. In November, Anoka County mails notices of proposed property taxes to home and land owners. By December 7th, um that's the proposed public hearing date on the proposed final budget and levy. By the end of December, the final levy will be certified to the county for taxes payable in 2027. Staff will be working on fi finalizing the proposed enterprise enterprise fund budgets to include water su sewer and liquor budgets as well to be presented to council in October and November. Tonight uh there are two resolutions before you. The first is a resolution to adjust the tax levy for debt payments. This resolution updates the amount to be levied for debt service payments and lowers the levy amount from the original proposed amounts that the county has on record. The lower amounts levied is due to enterprise fund allocations that help pay a portion of the debt payments. The second is a resolution to approve the preliminary levy and set the hearing date for the truth and taxation meeting and final adoption of the city budget. Sorry. Go forward. >> The maximum levy amount would be set this evening. This number cannot increase between now and the final levy adoption in December, but it can be reduced. Um, and with that, I am happy to answer any questions that you may have. >> We'd like to start. [laughter] >> Mayor, may I make? >> Yes, absolutely. So on the agenda it shows the one resolution 202637 but uh there are two we also have 202638 that will need to >> Okay. And do we have a as part of [clears throat] 202638? Do we have a suggested date? Does that have to be included in the resolution? >> Mayor and council. So they're both the resolutions that are needed um for tonight, but on the agenda only one came forward. So, they're both in your packet, but only one made it to the front agenda. So, >> the 20 the 30 2026 38 is setting the public hearing date. >> That's the one that doesn't show on the actual agenda. >> And mayor and council, we're looking at proposing that for December 7th. >> Okay. >> Anytime after 6:00 p.m. is the statute on that. >> December 7th. >> 7th. >> Seventh. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Sorry. I just have a question about that. The last year we had a few residents say that because our meeting was um the same time that the county had their meeting, um they felt like that was like how can we go to both? Um we talked briefly about maybe changing ours to the next day so they had an opportunity to go to both. I just remembered that as we were talking. We we briefly talked about that. I'm just looking at my calendar. >> This morning, day 15, >> mayor and council, the county will do a final adoption of their budget in December as well. Um, if a Tuesday night works better or you choose a different night, that's fine as well. It just has to be done before December 14th. >> I don't I don't mind either way. I just remember a few people said that and we we briefly talked about wanting to appear like >> [clears throat] >> wanted people to be able to go to both. >> Of course, the Anoka County isn't going to change. So, >> mayor and council, it looks like uh November 30th was set for their treatitions. >> Problem solved. >> We can verify that and come back if we need to, but um yeah, looks like they've been set for November. >> Oh, okay. Problem solved. >> We'll verify [clears throat] that though. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You got any other questions about this while while you're there? >> No, I don't. Sir, >> Kevin, >> I just want to highlight the fact that we're not really after nice things. We're after efficient things. You know, we've been over this budget again and again, and last year the same thing. This year, again, we have the sewer or the storm water fund is now included in the budget where previously we sent out $60 and $70 and $75 letters to a very large group of upset citizens and me won as well. Again, it's one of the the 300,000 that is allocated for mandates by the state for things that we have to do without any funding from the state to do them. Measuring sil silt in the bottom of drainage ponds and a myriad of things. Um, also the parks funding. We have $300,000 in parks this year. Last year, I think it was 300,000. The year before it was 250. We didn't have that before at all. We can not have it again if we'd like, but a lot of people want parks and the stuff that goes with that. So again, back to nice things or efficient things or a little bit of both things. You know, it all matters. And again, as far as the abatement for Vista Prairie, I know there's been a bone up contention for a lot of people. Um, again, it's now $45 million structure that was when it was built. Uh, when the abatement expires, it'll be worth a lot more than that. Our tax income will be greater. We made a sacrifice in the front end. But again, this is paying for their sewer water usage. They're paying for the school situation. They're paying for the county side of thing. the city is one who helped contribute uh in fact um in paper form, not as one of their lenders, but in paper form to get that building here. And it's worthwhile and again there's lots of elderly citizens that lived in St. Francis that have now left their homes and younger families now or families not younger maybe not, but their homes have now been available for other people to come to St. Francis. So there's to me there's a lot of pluses there. Um, again this morning I think ANOA I didn't watch the final meeting as of yet but they were looking at 7 and a quarter%. Not that it makes me feel any better. And again Joe as far as property taxes mine have gone up 118% in 9 years. I feel you and I actually thought about leaving St. Francis but I like it here. And being on the inside working with the stuff again there's no smoking mirrors. People that are running for office are just on the outside saying you know there's skull dugy a foot or there's a bunch of shenanigans going on. I can tell you there's not. And any one of these department members here heads will gladly sit down and tell you what's going on. The real deal when you're sitting and getting involved with this. I'm as upset as the next guy. They got to pay over $7,500 a year in taxes. Don't price you. It's talk about affordable. Again, nice things, efficient things. That's what it comes down to. But, um, every day, excuse me, every month we get together and we try to make things, um, tight and right and, you know, do it efficiently. moneywise. So, as far as Skull Dugy or Smok and Mirrors and we're all a bunch of hooligans up here, come on in, talk to any one of these guys or call a council member if you haven't talked to one and we we'll gladly sit down with you and go over some of this stuff. Um, again, I think we run a pretty tight ship. There's not much there's not much fat going on in here. So, um, I'm not happy about it. 9 9.09% is a lot better than 11 or 16. Um, we've gone through some changes and stuff as a city and we'll see some more changes down the road. Hopefully, all for the better and still living within our means as best we can. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Kevin. Joel, >> uh, I would second what Kevin said. I think it's Thank for getting it down as much as you have. Um, since the last meeting we talked about the budget. Um, again, not not great to see any kind of increase ever, but that's with the cost of living. there's some stuff you can't avoid. Um, obviously I hope we continue to to look into little things here and there uh where we can cut. Um, you know, as the district moves forward and grows, uh, you know, [clears throat] there as well. Um, but other than that, I have nothing to add. >> Joe, >> can I ask just one more question? >> Yeah, go ahead. >> Um, to Natalie. So, um, it says that it's a 9.09 09 increase for 2027. But really, when you look at two pages later, it's for property taxes, it's really a 0.002 increase. Excuse me. So, it's sorry. So, it's really n it's nothing. >> Mayor and council. So sorry >> that um the the increase in our overall operating um or tax levy is 9.09% but the tax rate is remaining stagnant from 2026 based on the fiscal disparity amount that we received as a city. So it offsets that increase to lower the tax rate. So if our fiscal disparities get cut and we see a a change in our fiscal disparities contribution amounts um then our our tax rate would be affected by that also. >> So >> and I I understood that maybe not with all the words you use. [laughter] >> I just wanted to explain that because people are still going to walk away thinking it's a 9% increase. Yeah. >> Which it is but not to them. >> Right. our overall um tax rate is going up by 0.02% year-over-year. >> I asked I asked Natalie a couple days ago. I sat down and had a long discussion with Natalie about all this. And the sad part is and she just printed this out for me, just gave it to me before the meeting here. Our our tax rate is the second highest in the county by significantly. We're at 59.29%. Columbia Heights is the only one above us at 78%. But we're we're I I'll pass this along. I mean, you can look look on the chart. So, I I mean, I still want to keep chewing away at this to get that tax rate down. Our tax rate is high compared to other cities. It doesn't mean the increase is necessarily high, but our tax rate is high. >> [clears throat] >> And and I I'm going to use this example because it's just just kicking around ideas about as Councilman Mueller's pointed out many times. He's pointed out, well, people don't recognize when I say our tax rate's 59.2%. What a lot of people don't recognize is that our city, unlike most other cities, to the best of our knowledge, all of them, none of them are paying for they they all have road assessments for roads. [snorts] We don't have that. So, is our tax rate a little higher? Yes, it is higher, but other other cities when they got to redo their street in front of them, they're they're assessed at varying rates and and varying things. So, it's it's not something tang. That's the sad part about this is I'm not saying it's good or bad, but some of some of the reason our tax rates higher is because we are paying for all the road road road repairs, whereas other cities you're assessed separately for a portion of the road and and it's it's hard to quantify. It's hard. It's hard to that's one of the examples that's hard to explain and and when I've kicked around just kicking around ideas talking with Kate and Natalie about you know so you say okay well we could go back to assessing for roads a 2080 split or 50/50 split or whatever. The catch is when you do it that way you don't have money sitting in a bank. So now guess what we're doing we're bonding for money and now we're paying now we're paying banks too. So banks are taking a cut out of it. Whereas the way we're going where we're paying for the roads, roads and street repairs, it's it's a fund that we're paying it out of. So we're not borrowing money. The money is sitting there in the account. And I would much looking at something like that. I'd much rather do it the way we're doing where we're not a bank doesn't have to get involved. We don't have to pay interest on on that kind of stuff. So that everything it gets complicated and gets twi twisted up. Am I excited about 9.09%? No. But I am definitely pleased compared to some of the budgets that have been passed in the past that I was adamantly against when when we're when we were above 10. I asked last year to keep it below 10% and we weren't able to get there. But so at the end of the day, I'm going to vote for it. I'm not excited about it. I mean, obviously, we can continue to look at trying to trim that 9.09, but that would be the max >> [clears throat] >> max this year going forward if we approve it tonight. So with that, anybody else any other comments, questions, suggestions? Joel, go ahead. >> Uh just throw in there too. Uh just to piggy back on what you said, Mayor Vogen, you said it very well. Um another thing is too is things that we've done recently um before your time even. Um but with the the building maintenance where we had buildings with no maintenance fund to maintain them, which I think would was irresponsible. Now we have funds for that which we should have and probably should have for many years but we're there now. Um parks again having these funds of things that we didn't have to to be fiscally responsible as a city to maintain our properties and and our services to the people. I think that's one thing that it kind of all came together all at once and we're still kind of in the beginning stages of the first couple some of those and I think that's it it does affect the people and that's not that's obviously not a good thing but it's it's something that probably in my opinion should have been in place long before but the fact that it's here now and it's all coming at once kind of hits hits a little harder because we're building those funds um until they're stabilized. So that's that's on top of the roads. But the the roads comment was a very very good way to put it because that's something that people don't realize. It's unrealized gains. It it just looks different. It's it's they're you know other cities are playing with numbers if they're assessing you and stuff too where our tax rates low and then they slam you with a bill. So give and take. But >> thanks Jill. Anybody else? Any other >> Can I ask a question? Yep. We had 720,000 in uh street improvement last year and we're allocating 840,000 this coming year. How much is in that account currently? Natalie, can you tell us just >> um mayor and council? I don't have that information up, but I can get it for you. >> It'd be interesting to know down the road. Again, like Joe said, you know, that we're saving for the future and again assessments. That's again that is a really good point, mayor, as far as we're not reaching out to the citizens to pay for their share of the front of their curb, etc. And then, you know, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson don't have to go get $7,800 or be assessed on their taxes for that. So, you know, between the the storm water and the street alone, that's over a million40,000. Um, again, looking ahead is is prudent where some of these other ones, you know, other cities have boasted for years. We're the lowest in the county. Well, again, they're going to be assessing their citizens and stuff when improvements need to be made and whatnot. So, that's all. Thank you. >> Anybody else? All right. So, we'll go ahead. Uh, it doesn't matter which one we go for first here. So, I'm looking for a motion on 2027 preliminary tax levy and adjustment to debt service levies resolution 2026-37 adjusting the debt service levy for 2027. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make that motion, Mayor. >> Motion by Councilman Robinson. Do I have a second? >> A second. >> Second by Councilman Mulebower. Uh, roll call vote, please. >> Mayor Vogle, >> I. >> Council members Robinson, >> Ivig, >> I, >> Fis, >> I, >> hi. >> On to resol resolution 2026. 2026-38 uh, for a preliminary tax levy hearing on December 7th after 6:00 p.m. >> I'll make that motion. >> Motion by Councilman Fonis. Do I have a second? Second by councilman Odvig. Roll call, please. Jenny. >> Mayor Bogle. >> Hi. >> Council members Muower. >> Hi. >> Bonis. Ivig. >> I. >> Robinson. >> Hi. >> Thank you all. On to meeting open to the public. Anybody wishing to speak? Oh, go ahead. N. Sorry. >> Part of the last resolution that you passed for 2026-38 needs to be approving the preliminary levy >> and setting the hearing. So, it's two-part resolution. >> Okay. >> Um, so you just passed >> the first part of that resolution. >> So, mayor and council, we need a resolution providing approval of the proposed 2026 tax levy and then setting the budget the public hearing for the budget hearing. So, I mean, we kind of did it with the second one, but I didn't include I didn't include the preliminary 9.0. >> Um, >> yep. So, the resolution has um total levy of 7,832, 366. >> Do I Scott, do I got a >> That's already outlined in resolution 2026-38. Uh so the total levy is 7,832,366. And then there's a second item that sets the um date for final levy and consideration is Monday, December 7th, 2026 at 6 pm. >> So did we pass that or do we need to pass another existing uh approval on it should take care of it. >> Okay. Thanks, Neil. [clears throat] So, meeting open to the public. Anybody wishing to speak, come on forward. So, as I sit and watch the numbers flying around up here, I find it rather intriguing. 250 years in America we have celebrated. Now, let me bear in mind to this entire council, the entire council after 250 years, you proposed a 59% tax increase or 9%. Bear in mind, the birth of this nation came out of a 3% tea tax. I'm just saying. So, I don't know what you guys got to do. And I understand that we're planning for the future, but I think you need to take a harder look. I think you need to take the red pen to things, start crossing some things off because you're only going to squeeze so much water out of a rock and then there's going to be bigger issues at hand. Not that I would be doing anything, but there are others in this county, in this country, that will eventually get wild and it's not going to be pleasant. And I'm sure we have all seen what happened in Minneapolis and St. Paul. And if we keep going at this rate, it's going to end up in the same avenue, the same boat. And it's only a matter of time. And my suggestion, and this is just a suggestion, is push back on the state mandates. You know, you tell me that we're independent. Well, looks to me like we're not independent. Looks to me like the state's cramming stuff down our throat and you're going to do exactly what we say it or else. So, it's either time for them to step up and start providing financing for it or put the kibash down on it. That's my personal opinion. Thank you, council. >> Thanks, Joe. >> Lisa, >> hello. Um, I just want to say, um, it just feels like the timing of all this, I understand this is a very complicated thing. Um, but you're dealing you you talk about cost of living increases. We're not all getting raises. Um, but we're paying more for everything that we have. Um, you know, we've been on the news for St. Francis being in like the top 10 or five of the highest tax increases and I don't know that I'm seeing a lot of a return on that investment. And I and we talk about the roads. I'm not really sure where we're improving a lot of roads. And I'm I'm new to this. I'm not political. It's just um you know my my I have three generations of family that settled here and have lived in this area. Uh my dad was a volunteer firefighter. He was also a EMS ambulance driver for many years. Um we've served this community. And um I just I really ask too that you think about you want more people to come out here, but if you go to other communities in Anoka County, they're not paying quite the same amount of taxes. And I understand um commercial business offsets that. I understand those things, but um it just I know we need to plan for the future, but um some of the dollar amounts are staggering to me and I know that we need it, but can we get by without building the Taj Mahal all the time? I mean, I I don't know. Help me understand that, I guess. And I feel like um reading some of the other um comments from people that live in the community, I think people share the same frustrations I do and uh maybe they need to be more involved and we all need to be coming to more meetings and getting a better understanding because from the outside it just it doesn't feel good. Um and we're all hurting. So, if I can't go get a brand new facelift to my house, it feels really insulting to see it done everywhere else. So, that's all I'm going to say. Just please think about what you're doing to the rest of us. >> Thanks, Lisa. Lisa and Joe, too. Just both of you. I would very much enjoy a conversation outside of the meeting here as well. It's just when it gets down to the details, then I got to rely on city staff. But I would be happy to have a general discussion with you. So, hello Mike. Hello, Mayor, council, staff. Uh, thanks for all you guys do. Um, question. The city paid for an economic report back in 2016. Has any of you read it? Okay, thank you. Um, I'm a little different than everybody else. I'm an outside the box thinker. I kind of think of myself that way. When are we going to change our thinking? I've sat in these council meetings since 2000 through many mayors, many council, many staff, and it's always about cutting. When the hell are we going to start creating revenue? We can't cut anymore. Like Joe says, you can't get water out of a rock, but we can create it. It's time we change our thinking in this town and start creating revenue. Um, a citywide dispensary would have generated quite a bit of income. That apartment building across the street would have created a lot of income. Um, from what I understand, the town houses over there will create some income. We have to stop and think about how we can create more revenue in this town without leading the citizens to death because I don't have any more gauze or bandages to stop the hemorrhaging coming out of my pocket. It's time we change and uh think outside the box. I know I asked you guys uh a while ago, have any of you guys called Cambridge to see how they're doing it? How they're not taxing the hell out of their citizens? Okay, I did. It's quite interesting. You guys should give them a call. At least you, mayor, call up there and talk to the city administrator. see what they're doing different than we are cuz they didn't tax their citizens last year. You're right, Joe. They did a different way and maybe we should take note on what they did. Thanks. Anybody else? On to city administrator report. Okay, >> here and council. So, [clears throat] just a couple quick updates. Uh, we have closed our RFP for legal services. I got a fairly limited amount in and I will be reaching out um further with that and and partnering here with Scott afterwards to to get some more questions answered. Uh Paul and I have met with Mindot. We are still on track for an April of 28 uh construction. They are working on the logistics access uh traffic movement. So we have some pretty complicated pieces that are being looked at but uh MDOT is actually going to design in house and then RFP the final project versus RFP everything. So we continue to hear from them. Um we have now heard from the state in regards to our federal or state appropriations. So, working with both the state and federal um programs in managing the money we received for the utility project and then also working on our 2027 bill. So, I will have that before council to give you some updates at the next meeting and our next ask and some ways that we can help our rate payers on the next project and and a very complicated project is that. So, um a lot of moving pieces right now. I'm happy to answer any questions, but everything is just kind of moving forward in typical way. So happy to answer anything you have. >> Questions for Kate? >> Evan, no. >> Nothing. Is there Amy? Joe, any questions for Kate? >> No. Thank you. >> Neither. Thank you, Kate. On the council member reports, uh, start with Joe. >> Uh, well, I had the meeting with the district and Natalie. um talked a little bit about the budget there. >> Um other than that, I've been just kind of going over numbers and looking at things. Um but other than that, I have nothing else to report. >> Thanks, Joe. >> Oh, go ahead. >> 235th. Um I did receive a couple complaints from residents about the 235th. Um Chief, I know you were uh addressing that as well with uh the other that came and complained about it the other week. So, um, wanted to put that out there. Um, somebody guess moving the stop sign back. I don't know what legally we could do there. Um, but people pulling out in front of people was a complaint. So, I wanted to share that before I forgot. >> Thanks, Joe. Kevin, >> uh, I just want to remind everybody that Nixl will be disappearing and the new, uh, alert service for citizens, it's posted on the city's website. Again, Nixl is going away. I don't know how many subscribers were in the 1,200 range prior. >> But this is going countywide and you can actually pick other cities if you want to be alerted for Spring Lake Park or Brooklyn or any area any other cities in our area. Um so take take note of that. It's very helpful especially when there's traffic instance in instances here and there. U I also met with the chief and Natalie on the budget for the fire. also had a fireboard meeting on back on the 25th and then we attended a um a special election meeting on the 24th. My warmest and deepest personal regards to you, young lady. Uh that's all I did. >> Thanks, Kevin. Sarah, >> um I also met with Fighter and Natalie. Um and I attended my favorite meeting, the upper room. [laughter] Um we we were all there except for one person wasn't able to be there. So that's I think the first since I've been on it. So I'm looking forward to somebody else [laughter] taking over. I'm not going to lie. >> Citizen person. >> Nope. We already have one. Andrew likes it. So we'll see. [laughter] Can't do that. >> Thanks [clears throat] Sarah Amy. >> Um I too attended a couple of the special meetings for the election. I also went to the recount in Anoka County which was fascinating. Um and so that was that was interesting to me. Um, and I chatted with Paul quickly and there was just a couple um, intersections in my neighborhood that was really hard to see like because of big bushes and and he apparently worked with the homeowner to get it done because I saw the homeowner clearing that area out and um you put a sign up near a a bike path. Thank you very much. I noticed that right away. So um the only other this isn't a report but I'm just wondering about upcoming events. Um, I don't see our work session on the 14th on this list. Is that not open to the public? Is that why it's not here? >> Mayor Council, it is. I was not I did not do this packet. I was out of town and so I had somebody filling in for me and that was just a miss on there. There is a work session on the 14th. >> Next Monday, right? >> Yes. Okay. >> Thank you. [clears throat] I just didn't want to get that missed or maybe it got cancelled and I didn't know. >> And real quickly, just for public, do you want you want to address what the what the meeting is on the 14th? >> Yep. So, mayor and council, the meeting next week is a joint meeting with the EDA, the planning commission, the park commission, the charter, and the council. We've invited all of the teams. It is specific to our 2050 comprehensive planning. Um, it is not an opportunity for the public to speak. They have [clears throat] several other avenues that are being offered in regards to the 2050 plan both um from direct engagement surveys and and really the next six months there'll be different ways that the community can interact. This is really our individual teams and commissions and getting um the visions the the we have a few properties that need some movement. So, it is very specific to our councils and our commissions in regards to the comprehensive plan. >> Thanks, K. >> Thank you. >> I think I covered everybody with myself, right? You got anything else? >> I don't. >> Okay. Um, yeah, pretty much the same fireboard being on August 25th, the special election meeting. I like I say I spent fair amount of time conversing specifically with Natalie about the budget and learning more all the time. Guess that's the best way to phrase it. So with that, anybody got anything else? Looking for a motion to adjurnn. >> I'll make that motion. >> Motion by Councilman Fonis. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Want to s >> I don't councilman Muower. Uh, roll call vote please. Jenny. >> Mayor Vogel. >> I. >> Council members Muower. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Fredig. >> Robinson. >> Hi. >> Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Thank you everyone.