Woodbury Council Sets 10.7% Tax Levy Increase
The Woodbury City Council set a preliminary property tax levy increase of 10.7% for 2026, adding approximately $130 annually to the median home's tax bill to fund public safety expansion.
The preliminary levy, which includes both the city and Woodbury Housing and Redevelopment Authority, supports hiring 16 new full-time positions with 13 dedicated to public safety. The budget includes four new police officers and nine firefighter EMTs to implement a new 24-hour staffing model and reactivate the Afton Road Fire Station.
Council members said the four police positions will help the city reach its goal of one officer per 1,000 residents. The firefighter EMT positions fulfill union agreements established in 2025 and support expanded emergency medical services, with most EMS operations funded through ambulance service billing rates.
Personnel costs account for approximately 77% of the city's general fund expenditures, including wages, benefits and the new state-mandated Minnesota Paid Leave program. The council reduced the original budget proposal from a 13% levy increase through ongoing discussions between staff and council members.
The council will hold a budget workshop November 5 for further refinement before adopting the final budget and tax levy December 10. Washington County must receive the preliminary levy certification by September 30 to mail Truth in Taxation notices to residents by mid-November.
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Areas of Interest (5)
- Woodbury proposes 10.7% property tax hike for 2026 budget to fund public safety expansion.
- City officials struggle to balance resident tax burden with rising labor costs and new state-mandated leave programs.
- 13 of 16 new full-time positions in 2026 budget are allocated to police and firefighter/EMT roles.
- Proposed levy increase was reduced from an initial 13% proposal; council eyes further potential cuts before December adoption.
- Strategic goal to reach 1:1,000 police-to-resident ratio drives new officer hires.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (4)
- September 30th: Deadline for certification of levies to Washington County
- Mid-November: Truth in taxation notices to be mailed
- November 5th: Budget workshop
- December 10th: City Council meeting for final budget and levy adoption
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Proposed 2026 city budget and property tax levy
Public safety staffing expansion (police and fire/EMT)
Reactivation of Actton Road fire station
Analysis of 10.7% property tax levy increase
Impact of personnel costs and labor contracts on budget
Implementation of state-mandated Minnesota paid leave program
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