Edina City Council — Transcript
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Story
Edina Council unanimously approves $545,000 budget cuts for 2025
Vernon Avenue Housing Project Proposal
Recognition of Engineering Director Chad Milner and Department Awards
Votes (1)
Approval of 2025 Budget Amendment and Spending Reduction Package
City Manager Scott Neil presented a 1% budget reduction package totaling $545,000 to meet the City Council's request, trimming the previously approved 2025 budget to $47.3 million with an 8.44% levy increase. Items cut included a portion of the Public Works Mill and Overlay program, a chatbot feature, delaying Southdale District design guideline revisions, and reducing equipment replacement funds. Neil emphasized working with department directors to minimize negative resident impact.
Notable Quotes (2)
I was able to work with the Department directors in our police and fire and public works and parks and all of our other uh directors to to find areas where we could reduce spending that would have the least amount of negative impact on our residents.
I presented the the package of reductions to the council at the February 4th council meeting uh they received those they had a chance to look through them ahead of time uh they asked me some questions about it at the meeting and then they approved the package unanimously.
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
The city's financial plan for 2025, which was amended.
Formal amendment approved by the City Council to finalize the 2025 budget.
A document guiding design in the Southdale District, whose revision was delayed or eliminated from the budget.
An initial design proposal for the Vernon Avenue housing project presented by Abundance Properties.
A guiding document for city development, requiring amendment for the Vernon Avenue project to proceed.