Minnetonka City Council — Agenda
Monday, September 8, 2025
2026 Community Survey Results
2027 Budget Kick-off
June Study Session Topics
Votes (3)
2026 community survey results
Sarissa Seracki and Peter Leatherman presented the findings of the 2026 community survey, which gauged resident opinions on quality of life, city services, public safety, natural environment, and development. The survey helps inform strategic planning and budgeting. Key findings included high satisfaction with quality of life (96% excellent/good) and city services (e.g., Police 95%, Fire 94% excellent/good), but also highlighted concerns such as high taxes (21%), traffic congestion (14%), and lack of diversity (10%). Residents showed strong support for a half-cent sales tax for fire stations (82-83%), trail connections (81%), and Marsh upgrades (79%).
2027 budget kick-off
Mike Funk and Darin Nelson presented the initial overview for the 2027 budget season, emphasizing its alignment with the city's strategic plan and financial strength. Discussions covered ongoing inflation pressures, facility improvement updates (fire stations, Marsh, community center, Williston Fitness Center), and potential financing options, including a local sales tax (pending legislative approval). The projected 2027 levy increase was reduced from 9% to approximately 7% due to a 2025 General Fund surplus. The session also introduced Priority-Based Budgeting (PBB) as a new tool to align resources with community priorities.
June study session topics
Mike Funk presented an informational item outlining the agenda for the June 15, 2026 study session. The planned topics include the 2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and a review of the Purgatory Park off-leash dog area. This item serves to keep the council informed of upcoming discussions and allows for potential modifications to the work plan by a majority vote of council members.
Notable Quotes (10)
The purpose of this agenda item is to inform the city council of the 2026 community survey results.
The community survey results align with desired outcome 6.1 'all people feel welcome and engaged' under Community Inclusiveness.
Survey results are used to inform strategic planning and budgeting decisions, help set performance targets and strengthen community engagement.
How would you rate the quality of life in Minnetonka - excellent, good, only fair, or poor? EXCELLENT.............44% GOOD..................52% ONLY FAIR..............4% POOR...................0%
This study session is the official kick-off to the 2027 budget season.
The annual budget relates to desired outcome 1.1 'high level creditworthiness' by ensuring the city's continued strong fiscal management.
The combination of reserves buying down the levy, refined operational forecasts and other programmatic changes has reduced the 2027 projected levy from 9 percent to approximately 7 percent, including 2.1 percent dedicated to implementing the public safety plan.
Governments across the country are moving away from traditional, incremental budgeting toward strategic, community-focused budgeting that aligns resources with long-term goals and public priorities.
This item is informational and is intended to provide the council with the upcoming study session agenda items and study session schedule.
Unless modified by the city council, the 2026 study session work plan agenda items for June 15, 2026 are: 2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Purgatory Park off-leash dog review.
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Report detailing findings from the annual resident survey.
Guiding document for city operations and budget decisions, emphasizing Community Inclusiveness and Financial Strength.
Multi-year plan for capital projects, to be reviewed at the June 15 study session.
Multi-year plan for public safety enhancements, including new firefighters and real-time operational center, impacting the 2027 budget.
Attachment to the 2027 budget kick-off report, providing financial forecasts.
Governs council operations, including study session conduct and agenda item proposals.
Approved schedule of topics for City Council study sessions in 2026.
Monthly city newsletter, primary source of information for many residents, considering a change to bi-monthly.
City website aimed at increasing community engagement and providing information.
Program evaluation using community survey data, particularly for organizational component.