Story2027 Levy General Fund Budget and Infrastructural FundsSeptember 21, 2026

North St. Paul delays budget cuts after council pushback

The North St. Paul City Council rejected a staff proposal to cut $40,000 from the Economic Development Authority's budget during a July 22 meeting, directing staff instead to find alternative ways to achieve a 6% property tax increase for 2027.

Published Sep 21, 2026

Finance Director Dan Winnick presented the city's initial budget framework, highlighting strong financial progress. Since 2023, the city has dramatically increased its cash reserves across multiple funds—the general fund is up 50%, the housing authority is up over 100%, and the street maintenance fund has grown 94%. This financial strength helped North St. Paul earn an upgraded bond rating from AA to AA+, a significant achievement that reduces borrowing costs.

To reach the proposed 6% levy increase—primarily to fund infrastructure projects like street repairs and park improvements—Winnick recommended reducing the Economic Development Authority's levy by $40,000, from roughly $201,000 to $161,000. He argued the EDA's fund balance had grown by $250,000 since 2023, making the cut feasible.

Council Member Schwear challenged this approach, expressing concern that cutting the EDA's budget could hamper economic development efforts and the city's student housing program. "$40,000 seems like a lot of money to come from a budget that could be utilized" for business recruitment and beautification, Schwear said. Council Member Woods raised similar concerns about the Housing Redevelopment Authority, advocating to preserve those funds for future property acquisitions.

Rather than approve the proposed cuts, the council directed staff to develop alternative options that distribute adjustments across multiple budgets instead of concentrating them in the EDA. Winnick acknowledged the direction and agreed to present revised proposals at the next meeting on August 18. The council's decision reflects a strategic priority: maintaining funding flexibility for economic development and housing initiatives while still achieving the targeted levy increase.

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Other Topics from This Document

Economic Development Authority (EDA) Levy Reduction Proposal
Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Levy Discussion
City Financial Health and Infrastructure Investment
Impact of State Finances and Fiscal Disparities

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Votes (1)

2027 Levy General Fund Budget Kickoff and Workshop

No formal action taken during workshop; staff directed to present revised options for the 2027 levy.

Finance Director Dan Winnick presented the initial framework for the 2027 levy general fund budget. Key points included the state's improved financial outlook but future structural deficit warnings, the city's significant progress in increasing cash and fund balances across various funds since 2023, and the resultant upgrade in bond rating from AA to AA+. The proposed budget aims for a 6% levy increase, with a substantial portion dedicated to infrastructure funding (streets, parks, facilities) paid in cash. To meet the 6% target, a $40,000 reduction in the Economic Development Authority (EDA) levy was proposed, citing the EDA's strong fund balance. Council members, particularly Council Member Schwear and Council Member Woods, challenged this reduction, expressing concern for future economic development opportunities and the student build housing program under the Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA). The council directed staff to find alternative ways to achieve the 6% levy target without solely reducing the EDA levy, emphasizing a more distributed approach to potential adjustments. Staff acknowledged this direction and agreed to present revised options at the next meeting on August 18th.

Notable Quotes (6)

You can see where if we look at the our cash, our general fund has increased 50% in that time period. HRA is over 100% EDA 56%. Asset preservation 3% the park capital 55% and street maintenance fund 94%. We have really done what the city council has asked and that is to levy to try to move us into a cash basis where we can afford to do more street work.
— Dan Winnick [4:26]

2027 Levy General Fund Budget Kickoff and Workshop

We moved our our fund balance policy, especially in the general fund, from 35% to 50%. At the end of last year, we were at 67%. That's significant. And what did it translate to? It translated to us getting a better bond rating, moving from a double A to a double A plus.
— Dan Winnick [6:47]

2027 Levy General Fund Budget Kickoff and Workshop

What you are going to see here is to be able to accomplish this, we would have to reduce the levy in the EDA by $40,000. So it would go the EDA levy would go from a almost 201,000 to 161,000. the city manager and myself believe that that's very possible and feasible because I'm going to bring you back over to here and if we look at what how the EDA has has done you've seen the fund balance since 2023 to the end of 2025 has increased almost $250,000 or 54%. Cash on the EDA has increased $234,000 or 56%.
— Dan Winnick [10:48]

2027 Levy General Fund Budget Kickoff and Workshop

I guess I'd like to challenge the $40,000 cut from the EDA and what the EDA has, what their goals are and what their plans are. I understand that there is a um there's capital money there, but to take money away from the EDA that's supposed to help develop our city, whether it's beautifification, um bringing new businesses in. $40,000 seems like a lot of money to um come from a budget that could be utilized.

Ordinances & Resolutions (7)

2027 Levy General Fund BudgetsPlan

The primary budget document under discussion for the upcoming fiscal year.

10-year planPlan

Long-term financial and capital improvement planning document.

Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)Plan

Comprehensive plan for funding infrastructure and capital projects.

Financial StatementsOther

Reports detailing the city's financial performance and position.

Fund Balance PolicyPolicy

Policy governing the minimum and target levels of fund balances, especially in the General Fund.

Bond SchedulesOther

Schedules outlining principal and interest payments for the city's bonded debt.

THE NORTH ST PAUL RECORDER

North St. Paul delays budget cuts after council pushback

Go deeper on this topic

Other Topics from This Document

Economic Development Authority (EDA) Levy Reduction Proposal

Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Levy Discussion

City Financial Health and Infrastructure Investment

Impact of State Finances and Fiscal Disparities

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Votes (1)

Notable Quotes (6)

Ordinances & Resolutions (7)

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