Corcoran City Council — Transcript
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Permanent School Fund Constitutional Amendment
2027 Preliminary Not-to-Exceed Budget Approval
2023 State Bonding Water Infrastructure Projects
Strategic Planning Facilitator and Software
Squad and Body Camera Replacements
Votes (2)
Approval of Resolution 2026-64: Preliminary Not-to-Exceed General Property Tax Levy for 2027
Dissent: Mark Veringamp
Moved by Mayor C [0:28:13] · Seconded by Unknown [0:28:17]
Finance Director Matt Salmer presented the preliminary 2027 budget with a 44.076% tax rate and a levy of $12,527,327. Key changes since the last meeting included increased interest earnings and an allocation for paved street repairs, specifically Hunter Ridge. Councilman Mark Veringamp raised concerns about the significant increase in paved streets budget (nearly 40% of the total budget increase), the premature inclusion of an Assistant City Engineer position before a public works study, and the cost-effectiveness of a new accounting clerk role. He proposed several amendments to reduce the levy, but these either failed due to lack of a second or were withdrawn. The City Administrator clarified that the preliminary levy sets a maximum, preserving options for future decisions after more detailed departmental budget reviews. The discussion also touched upon the civic campus project's future debt service impact (earliest 2028) and the distinction between tax rate and levy growth.
Approval of 2023 State Bonding Water Infrastructure Engineering Design and Bidding Services Proposal
Dissent: N/A
Moved by Unknown [0:31:07] · Seconded by Unknown [0:31:08]
Steve presented the proposal for design and bidding services for four state-funded water infrastructure projects. These include constructing an elevated 1 million-gallon water tower and elevated water storage in Northeast Corkran, building a second municipal well near the water treatment facility for redundancy and capacity, and implementing improvements to the water treatment plant itself. He clarified that these $10 million in state bond funds are tied specifically to these projects and are separate from any city hall funding. To secure the funding, all four projects must be bid on the same timeline, aiming for summer 2027 bids and 2028 construction starts. The proposal was moved for approval.
Notable Quotes (6)
If the proposed formula had been in effect in 2025, just last year, approximately $86 million would have gone to Minnesota schools instead of about $58 million. A huge difference of $28 million more statewide.
I'm requesting approval of the not to exceed 2020 7 levy of 12,527,327.
The capacity did not go to lower the tax rate. It went to increase spending.
This isn't a commitment to do it. This is a commitment to preserve an opportunity to have the decision. If you don't, you don't get to make the decision when when you have the opportunity.
Two of them first I want to talk about are actually in conjunction with station and elevated water storage. So those are elevated 1 million gallon watertheast water. ... Third project is a municipal house. ... And the fourth improvement is water treatment plant improvements.
One thing important is as we're bringing these all forward these four projects to secure our bonding dollars need to be bid on the same timeline.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Constitutional fund generating revenue for public education in Minnesota.
Proposed change to PSF distribution calculations to increase school funding.
Resolution for the preliminary not-to-exceed general property tax levy for 2027.
The city's financial plan for the upcoming year, subject to approval.
Upcoming study to review the organizational structure of the Public Works department.
Proposal for design and bidding services for four state-funded water infrastructure projects.