Shakopee City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Future Discussion on Data Centers and Flock Cameras
Allegations of Shakopee Police Misconduct and Selective Enforcement
2027 Preliminary Budget and Levy Overview
Community Updates and Ongoing Projects
Votes (3)
Consent Agenda Approval
Moved by Mr. Lara [02:00] · Seconded by Council Member [02:10]
The Consent Agenda was read aloud, detailing various routine operational and administrative approvals. These included authorizations for infrastructure projects, lease renewals, property declarations, financial reviews, grant applications, personnel matters, code amendments, and temporary licenses. There was no specific discussion on individual items prior to the collective vote.
2027 Preliminary Budget and Levy Overview
The Finance Director presented the preliminary 2027 budget and levy, projecting an 8.65% increase. Key drivers included significant investment in fire services to achieve 24/7 coverage (3.5%), debt service levy (1.22%), and general fund changes (3.94%). Questions arose regarding fire department overtime, the use of fund balance to offset debt, and the rationale behind revenue and expenditure adjustments. A potential new Public Works employee position was discussed, emphasizing growing workload from city expansion. The city reaffirmed its commitment to being a low-tax community.
Notice of Emergency Management Plan Review
The City Administrator informed the council that the Emergency Management Plan would be presented for their review and approval. He clarified that the full document would not be made public due to sensitive information, but a general memo outlining its contents would be provided. The Mayor further explained the plan's broad scope, including responses to catastrophic events like tornadoes, train derailments, and major floods.
Notable Quotes (7)
Generally speaking, our budget objectives remain unchanged from the fa past few budgets uh which include continue to be one of the lowest taxes uh tax communities in the metro...
So wasn't the idea of having two separate stations with rolling shifts to not have overtime or is that if case something happens outside the norm?
We will always have overtime, Mr. Mayor. um just because at our current staffing levels, if we added a couple more that would decrease overtime, but right now we're at minimum staffing levels and when we have someone go on vacation or someone go on medical leave or have any other type of absence, this has to be covered by overtime.
I think it's incredibly important that this position be considered. Uh and essentially what happens right now, if you think about it, we haven't added a public works employee for some time. Uh and we have been growing.
Shakabby continues to be one of the lowest tax communities in the metro area. ... we are the are the fourth lowest.
I just wanted to give council notice that uh we will be bringing forward our emergency management plan to you for review and approval, but we will not be releasing that out to the public.
And a general for the general public emergency management covers like what do we do if a tornado comes through and there's catastrophic damage? What kind of plans do we have for Tra train derailments.
Ordinances & Resolutions (28)
Final acceptance and payments authorized for this improvement project.
Approved item on consent agenda.
Approval to declare certain properties as surplus.
Approved item on consent agenda.
Approved item on consent agenda.
Approved item on consent agenda.
Application approved on consent agenda.
Application approved on consent agenda.
Approved on consent agenda.
Plans and authorization for bidding approved on consent agenda.
Approved item on consent agenda.
Approval of previous meeting minutes.
Amended definition of cannabis cultivator.
Amended definition of indoor cannabis cultivation and manufacturing uses.
Updated version approved on consent agenda.
Temporary liquor license approved on consent agenda.
Federal grant ($2.63 million) subsidizing 12 new full-time firefighters, requiring progressive local match.
Issued for community center and ice arena, requiring debt service levy.
Issued for street reconstruction projects, previously offset by fund balance, now requiring debt service levy.
Document explaining budget breakdown, referenced by Finance Director.
Upcoming plan for review and approval by council, not to be publicly released for security reasons.
Online tool for residents to see itemized property tax payments.
Fund balance utilized to offset health insurance premium increases.
Document within the capital improvement fund identifying city-owned equipment replacement needs.
Organization attended by a council member to understand police department's community work.
Used for city comparisons.
Used for city comparisons, noted as using 2024 data.
Routine item for council review.