Bloomington presents 2025 budget with modest utility rate increases
The Bloomington City Council heard presentations on proposed 2025 utility rate increases ranging from 2.6% to 5% during its November 20 meeting. The Finance Department outlined rate hikes for water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste services as part of the city's broader budget planning process.
The Finance Department detailed its 2025 utility rate proposals to the City Council, with increases varying by service. Water and wastewater rates would each rise 3%, stormwater rates would increase 5%, and solid waste rates would go up an average of 2.6%. The Public Works Department also submitted its own 2025 budget proposals during the meeting. These discussions are preliminary steps ahead of a Truth in Taxation Public Hearing, where residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on the city's financial plans.
Beyond budget matters, the council recognized Bloomington's small business community. The Mayor issued a proclamation on November 18 for Small Business Saturday, scheduled for November 30, emphasizing the vital role local businesses play in the community's economy. The city is continuing its "Love Local" campaign in partnership with Hennepin County, encouraging residents to support local businesses throughout the holiday season and year-round.
The council also received updates on two major park redevelopment projects set for completion in 2025. Bryant Park will feature a new shelter building, a skate spot, and the city's first fully inclusive playground. Tretbaugh Bike Park will include a tot track, natural surface trails, and a skills loop. Both projects will incorporate natural resource improvements. The city advised the public to avoid the parks during construction for safety reasons.
In community news, Bloomington celebrated a Veterans Appreciation Celebration held at the Masonic Heritage Center. The event brought together veterans, families, and community members to honor military service. Representative Steve Elkins hosted the event, and Commander Travis D. Brinkman, a Bloomington native with nearly two decades of military service, delivered the keynote address. The city's Community Outreach and Engagement Division, American Legion Post #550, and volunteers supported the event, where veterans received challenge coins and thank you notes.
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2025 Budget and Utility Rate Presentations
The Finance Department detailed proposed utility rate increases for 2025, including 3% for water and wastewater, 5% for stormwater, and an average of 2.6% for solid waste. Separately, the Public Works Department presented its own budget proposals to the City Council. These discussions are part of the larger budget process culminating in a Truth in Taxation Public Hearing.
Small Business Saturday Proclamation and 'Love Local' Campaign
On November 18th, the Mayor issued a proclamation in recognition of Small Business Saturday on November 30th, emphasizing the vital role small businesses play in the local economy. Additionally, Bloomington's partnership with Hennepin County on the 'Love Local' campaign was highlighted, encouraging year-round support for local businesses.
Bryant and Tretbaugh Parks Redevelopment Update
Updates were provided on the ongoing work at Bryant Park, set to feature a new shelter, skate spot, and the city's first fully inclusive playground, and Tretbaugh Bike Park, which will include a tot track and natural surface trails. Both projects are scheduled for completion in 2025 and will also include natural resource improvements. The public was advised to avoid the parks until completion for safety.
Veterans Appreciation Celebration Event Report
A Veterans Appreciation Celebration was held, bringing together Bloomington veterans, families, and community members in tribute to military service. The event, hosted by Representative Steve Elkins at the Masonic Heritage Center, featured Commander Travis D. Brinkman as keynote speaker. The City’s Community Outreach and Engagement Division, American Legion Post #550, and volunteers supported the event, where veterans received challenge coins and thank you notes.
THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT PRESENTED THE 2025 UTILITY RATES AND BUDGET REQUESTS FOR THE CITY’S WATER, WASTEWATER, STORMWATER AND SOLID WASTE SERVICES.
THE RATE INCREASES WERE 3% FOR BOTH WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES, 5% FOR STORMWATER, AND AN AVERAGE OF 2.6% FOR SOLID WASTE.
ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18-TH THE MAYOR READ A PROCLAMATION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY, REMINDING US OF THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS SMALL BUSINESSES MAKE TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY AND COMMUNITY.
BLOOMINGTON HAS PARTNERED WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY TO CONTINUE THE LOVE LOCAL CAMPAIGN WHICH REMINDS US TO SUPPORT THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES WHO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SO VIBRANT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE YEAR!
WHEN COMPLETE IN 2025, BRYANT WILL FEATURE A NEW SHELTER BUILDING, SKATE SPOT AND THE CITY’S FIRST FULLY INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND.
THE TRETBAUGH BIKE PARK WILL HAVE A TOT TRACK, NATURAL SURFACE TRAIL AND SKILLS LOOP.
THE VETERANS APPRECIATION CELEBRATION BROUGHT TOGETHER BLOOMINGTON VETERANS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN A HEARTFELT TRIBUE TO MILITARY SERVICE.
COMMANDER TRAVIS D. BRINKMAN, A BLOOMINGTON NATIVE WITH NEARLY TWO DECADES OF MILITARY SERVICE, DELIVERED THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS.
Source document
[0:17] HELLO AND THANKS FOR TUNING
IN TO BLOOMINGTON TODAY.
[0:20] LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE
LATEST NEWS IN BLOOMINGTON.
[0:22] WE BEGIN WITH THE LATEST 2025 BUDGET DISCUSSIONS.
AT THE COUNCIL MEETING ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18-TH,
[0:29] THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT PRESENTED THE 2025 UTILITY
RATES AND BUDGET REQUESTS FOR THE CITY’S WATER,
[0:35] WASTEWATER, STORMWATER AND SOLID WASTE SERVICES.
THE RATE INCREASES WERE 3% FOR BOTH WATER AND
[0:42] WASTEWATER SERVICES, 5% FOR STORMWATER,
AND AN AVERAGE OF 2.6% FOR SOLID WASTE.
[0:49] THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ALSO PRESENTED
ITS 2025 BUDGET PROPOSALS TO COUNCIL,
[0:54] HIGHLIGHTING THEIR ESSENTIAL SERVICE THAT
KEEP CITY OPERATIONS RUNNING SMOOTHLY.
[0:58] LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BUDGET PROCESS AHEAD OF
THE TRUTH IN TAXATION PUBLIC HEARING ON DECEMBER
[1:03] 16-TH BY VISITING BLM DOT MN SLASH BUDGET.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS UPON US AND WE INVITE
[1:10] YOU TO SHOP SMALL AND SHOP LOCAL!
ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18-TH THE MAYOR
[1:15] READ A PROCLAMATION FOR SMALL BUSINESS
SATURDAY, REMINDING US OF THE OUTSTANDING
[1:19] CONTRIBUTIONS SMALL BUSINESSES MAKE
TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY AND COMMUNITY.
[1:24] SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY IS NOVEMBER 30-TH.
BLOOMINGTON HAS PARTNERED WITH HENNEPIN
[1:28] COUNTY TO CONTINUE THE LOVE LOCAL CAMPAIGN WHICH
REMINDS US TO SUPPORT THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES WHO
[1:34] MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SO VIBRANT THIS HOLIDAY
SEASON AND THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE YEAR!
[1:39] BLOOMINGTON WELCOMES SCHNEIDERMAN’S FURNITURE.
RECENTLY THE COMPANY CELEBRATED THE
[1:43] OPENING OF ITS SEVENTH LOCATION ON
AMERICAN BOULEVARD IN BLOOMINGTON.
[1:48] IN 1948, THE FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS ORIGINALLY
STARTED INSIDE THE SMALL COUNTRY GROCERY STORE
[1:53] OF MAX SCHNIEDERMAN’S FAMILY. THEY SOLD
ODDS AND ENDS AND EVENTUALLY FURNITURE.
[1:58] THE BUSINESS CONTINUES TO BE FAMILY RUN AND OTHER
SHOWROOMS ARE LOCATED IN COON RAPIDS, DULUTH,
[2:04] LAKEVILLE, PLYMOUTH, ROSEVILLE AND WOODBURY.
WORK ON THE REIMAGINED BRYANT AND TRETBAUGH
[2:10] PARKS CONTINUES. 1001 WEST 85-TH STREET
AND TRETBAUGH AT 3701 WEST 90-TH STREET.
[2:18] WHEN COMPLETE IN 2025, BRYANT WILL FEATURE
A NEW SHELTER BUILDING, SKATE SPOT AND
[2:24] THE CITY’S FIRST FULLY INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND.
THE TRETBAUGH BIKE PARK WILL HAVE A TOT TRACK,
[2:29] NATURAL SURFACE TRAIL AND SKILLS LOOP.
BOTH PARKS WILL ALSO GET
[2:34] NATURAL RESOURCE IMPROVEMENTS.
A FRIENDLY REMINDER FOR YOUR SAFETY, PLEASE STAY
[2:38] OUT OF THE PARKS UNTIL THE PROJECTS ARE COMPLETE!
FOR DETAILS AND UPDATES, VISIT
[2:43] THE LINK ON YOUR SCREEN.
THE VETERANS APPRECIATION
[2:46] CELEBRATION BROUGHT TOGETHER BLOOMINGTON
VETERANS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS
[2:50] IN A HEARTFELT TRIBUE TO MILITARY SERVICE.
IT WAS HELD AT THE MASONIC HERITAGE CENTER
[2:55] AND REPRESENATIVE STEVE ELKINS WAS THERE
TO HOST. COMMANDER TRAVIS D. BRINKMAN,
[3:00] A BLOOMINGTON NATIVE WITH NEARLY TWO DECADES OF
MILITARY SERVICE, DELIVERED THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS.
[3:06] THE EVENT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE
SUPPORT OF THE CITY’S COMMUNITY
[3:09] OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT DIVISION, AMERICAN
LEGION POST #550 AND DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS.
[3:15] VETERANS RECEIVED A CHALLENGE COIN AS A
GIFT ALONG WITH THANK YOU NOTES HANDWRITTEN
[3:19] BY JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
A VIRTUAL WALL OF VETERANS PHOTOS CAN
[3:23] BE SEEN ONLINE AT BLM.MN/VETERANS.
THAT’S A WRAP ON THIS WEEK’S BUZZ.
[3:29] IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WATCH OTHER STORIES
HIGHLIGHTING PEOPLE, PLACES AND PROJECTS IN
[3:33] BLOOMINGTON, VISIT THE CITY’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
THANKS FOR WATCHING.
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Other Topics from This Document
Small Business Support Initiatives
New Business Opening and Economic Development
Bryant and Tretbaugh Parks Redevelopment Update
Veterans Appreciation Celebration
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