Tonka Bay City Council — Transcript

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

2027 Proposed Budget and Tax Levy Review

Public Works Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

Parks and Recreation Department Projects and Financial Oversight

Capital Project Staging Areas and City Hall Parking Lot

Federal EPA Lead and Copper Rule (Water Lines)

Votes (2)

Preliminary Submission of 2027 Proposed Budget and Tax Levy

Consensus to submit preliminary budget to the state, formal approvals for departmental budgets moved to next meeting's agenda.

Dissent: None recorded for the preliminary submission.

The council reviewed the core components of the 2027 budget, including the $2,981,418.25 tax levy, and its 23.2% tax capacity percentage. Debate centered on the significant increase in property taxes for homeowners and the necessity of including public works capital projects. There was a general consensus to submit the preliminary budget to the state, with formal approvals for individual departmental budgets to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

Adjournment

Motion passes at 7:04. (Unanimous)

Dissent: None

Moved by Council Member Ross [7:04:00] · Seconded by Council Member Bob [7:04:00]

The meeting concluded following a motion and a second to adjourn.

Notable Quotes (4)

Tax levy would be $2,981,418.25, which is a 23.2% tax capacity percentage. For a median home in Tonka Bay, it would be a $764 per year increase, or $63.67 per month.

City Administrator [7:00:45]
Preliminary Submission of 2027 Proposed Budget and Tax Levy

This column doesn't include any public works capital. This project includes all of the public works capital projects, and this is that median, the middle of calling some of those things and getting that 10-year CIP right-sized.

Council Member [7:01:30]
Preliminary Submission of 2027 Proposed Budget and Tax Levy

It's a big bite, but we're doing a lot of stuff. We're doing a lot of stuff in infrastructure. Like I said, I've beat this horse to death. We didn't have any money set aside for capital. We continue to have water main breaks. If we choose not to do it, we're going to continue to have breaks, which are expensive. And if we wait, it'll only get worse and suddenly time.

Council Member [7:03:45]
Preliminary Submission of 2027 Proposed Budget and Tax Levy

I move to adjourn.

Council Member Ross [7:04:00]
Adjournment

Ordinances & Resolutions (10)

2027 Proposed Budget and Tax LevyOther

The primary financial document presented for review and preliminary approval.

10-year CIPPlan

The city's long-range Capital Improvement Plan, which is being adjusted.

2024 SUIP projectOther

A bonding project from 2024 that is funding the Mantol Park parking lot expansion.

Master plan of the parkPlan

The overarching plan for Mantol Park, which includes the parking lot expansion.

CIP (Parks & Recs)Plan

The Capital Improvement Plan specifically for the Parks and Recreation department.

Police budgetOther

The budget for the Police Department, pending formal approval by the council.

Fire budgetOther

The budget for the Fire Department, requiring city council approval of Tonka Bay's share.

City budgetOther

The overall city budget, to be formally approved at a subsequent meeting.

Federal EPA regulationOther

A new federal environmental protection rule for dual verification on water lines, effective November 1, 2027.

Lead and Copper RuleOther

The specific federal regulation related to water line safety and identification.

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Tonka Bay City Council - Tonka Bay Recorder