Edina City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Story
Edina Council Advances 13% Property Tax Increase for 2025
Edina Historical Society Funding Request
Deferred Maintenance and Facility Condition
Votes (2)
Certification of Preliminary 2025 Tax Levy
Dissent: None, but Council Member Risser expressed concern about funding levels vs. service delays.
Moved by Not formally moved in work session · Seconded by Not formally moved in work session
Council debated the optics of a double-digit levy increase. Staff clarified that 5.46% of the 13.14% increase is solely for public safety expansion. Council members requested a clearer 'story' to tell residents about cost-containment efforts for healthcare and IT services.
Edina Historical Society Funding Expansion
Dissent: Council Member Risser initially suggested a one-year delay but conceded to a contract with 'strings attached'.
Moved by Not formally moved in work session · Seconded by Not formally moved in work session
The society requested $80,000 in additional annual funds. Council Member Risser challenged the organization to broaden its scope beyond 'pioneer history' to include indigenous and Black history. The council leaned toward a service contract model rather than a simple grant.
Notable Quotes (4)
Public Safety expansion really is the big thing that's driving our 13% Levy increase for the upcoming year.
13.14% it's very large and I know that we've talked previously about how do we tell that story.
It is a society primarily about settler Heritage and I think because of that we end up with a situation where we have what we have.
I don't want to go into a public hearing when we're just going to hear people say it's too high.
Ordinances & Resolutions (3)
The six-year Capital Improvement Plan outlining city infrastructure and equipment investments.
The operating budget and tax levy proposal for the upcoming fiscal year.
The Edina Historical Society's roadmap for using increased city funding to achieve organizational stability.