Edina approves 11% tax increase to fund emergency services
The Edina City Council approved a preliminary property tax levy of $65.5 million on October 2, marking an 11% increase aimed primarily at hiring 12 new paramedic firefighters. The council framed the increase as a maximum ceiling that could be lowered if federal funding comes through.
The council's decision reflects a difficult balancing act between controlling tax growth and addressing what city leaders view as critical needs in emergency medical services. City Manager Scott Neil acknowledged the tough choices involved, saying "a lot of hard decisions were made including losing some co-workers that we've grown accustomed to here," underscoring how budget constraints have affected city staffing.
The 11% increase exceeds the council's stated goal of keeping the levy below 10%, but officials explained the higher figure serves as a placeholder. If Edina receives a federal SAFER grant—which stands for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response—the city would not need to fund all 12 paramedic positions from local tax dollars. In that scenario, the council has committed to reducing the levy before finalizing the budget in December.
Beyond the paramedic hiring, the council is exploring additional cost-saving measures to offset expenses. These include adjusting utility franchise fees and potentially transferring the city's property assessing services to Hennepin County, the larger government entity that encompasses Edina. The council also directed staff to identify further reductions before the final budget adoption, indicating dissatisfaction with the current levy level despite approving it.
Capital projects like improvements to Fire Station 2 also factored into the budget discussions, requiring adjusted debt management within the new spending plan. The preliminary levy now moves forward, but the council's conditional approval signals that the final number could change depending on grant awards and staff recommendations in the coming months. Residents will see the final tax levy decision when the council formally adopts the 2026-2027 budget in December.
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Full analysis
Votes (1)
Approval of Preliminary 2026 Property Tax Levy
Dissent: No specific dissent mentioned in the summary; council members directed staff to seek further reductions before final adoption.
Moved by Unknown [0:58] · Seconded by Unknown [0:58]
The council discussed balancing a desired tax levy increase of under 10% with the need to significantly expand emergency medical services. The 11% increase acts as a placeholder to ensure the hire of 12 paramedics in the event a federal grant is not received.
Notable Quotes (2)
A lot of hard decisions were made including losing some co-workers that we've grown accustomed to here.
If the grant comes through, council members have said they will lower the levy before adopting the budget in December.
Ordinances & Resolutions (3)
The biennial city budget outlining department growth, staffing, and capital projects.
A $65.5 million maximum property tax levy set for 2026.
A grant that, if awarded, would offset the cost of hiring new paramedic firefighters and allow for a lower tax levy.
Source document
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