--- ## title: 2026-08-12 Draft Work Session Minutes ## author: Justin LaRue date: D:20260821162056-05'00' --- ## Richfield City Council Work Session Minutes August 12, 2026 ## Richfield Municipal Center ## Bartholomew Conference Room ## 6700 Portland Avenue South 1. ## Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Supple at 04:49 PM in the Bartholomew Conference Room. Council Present: Mary Supple, Walter Burk, Sharon Christensen, Sean Hayford Oleary, and Rori Coleman- Woods. ## S taff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Steve McDaniel, Budget, Debt, and Cash Manager; Kristi n ## A sher, Public Works Director; Joe Powers, City Engineer; Karl Huemiller, Recreation Services Director; Lis a ## P aradise, Assistant Finance Director; Jay Henthorne, Public Safety Director; Chris Fierst, Liquor Operations Manager; Sack Thongvahn, Assistant City Manager; Mary Bogie, Finance Director; Melissa Poehlman, Community Development Director; Andrew Spear, IT Manager; Courtney DesCamps, Senior Analyst; and Kate Croteau, Human Resources Director. Guest Presenters: Rebecca Kurtz, Ehlers, Inc. 2. ## Item Discussion a. Preview the preliminary 2027 Budget and provide long-term financial planning update as summarized in the Financial Management Plan (FMP). Preview proposed utility rates, proposed City fees and the proposed 2027 Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) and 2028-2031 Capita l ## I mprovement Plan (CIP). City Manager Rodriguez provided an overview of the work session. Budget, Cash, and Debt Manager Steve McDaniel then reviewed the Financial Management Plan (FMP) and introduced Rebecca Kurtz of Ehlers, Inc., who presented the City’s long-term financial projections. The proposed 2027 levy is $33,193,791, a 4.54% increase over 2026. Council discussed the projected property tax impact, including changes in residential and commercial property values. The City Council asked questions regarding the projected increases and calculati on m ethodology. The FMP presentation concluded at 5:58 p.m. Council recessed and reconvened at 6:08 p.m. Mr. McDaniel provided an update on the preliminary 2027 budget, with additional department- level details to be presented at the next work session. Staff also reviewed proposed 2027 City fee changes, including adj ustments to development and inspection fees, business licenses, Public Works fees, and Recreati on ## S ervices fees. Staff presented the 2027 utility update and the proposed 2027 Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) and 2028 -2031 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The 2027 CIB totals approximately $26.4 million a nd i ncludes investments in parks and recreation, transportation, utilities, facilities, fleet, and technology. Council provided feedback on the proposed levy increase and expressed support for proceeding wit h s taff’s recommendation. Staff also discussed the remaining budget process, including the Truth i n Taxation hearing and certification of the final levy in December. 3. ## Adjournment The work session adjourned at 7:41 p.m. ## Date Approved: August 25, 2026 ____________________________ ## Mary Supple ## Mayor ____________________________ ## Michelle Friedrich ## City Clerk ____________________________ ## Katie Rodriguez ## City Manager