Agenda - Council - 08/10/2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Fire Chief Winkel reported that construction of the department's new fire engine remained on schedule, with delivery expected near the end of the year, while five recruits were preparing to begin EMT training and enter active service in November. He noted that anticipated retirements of five to six experienced firefighters would result in the loss of approximately 55 years of combined experience, prompting the department to evaluate ways to strengthen leadership at emergency scenes as newer personnel advance. The department also expanded training opportunities through its new training chief, secured approximately $13,000 in state reimbursement funding, and transitioned new hires from First Responder certification to full EMT certification to better meet growing medical service demands. Firefighters continued promoting community safety through smoke alarm and carbon monoxide education, youth safety programs, and participation in community outreach events. Councilmembers thanked Fire Chief Winkel for the comprehensive update. Mayor Heineman complimented the department's participation in Safety Camp after observing the event firsthand and commended firefighters for their visible community engagement. 2.02: Continued Review of Preliminary 2027 General Fund Budget/Levy Finance Director Lund opened the 2027 budget discussion by distributing updated budget materials reflecting preliminary tax capacity figures recently received from Anoka County. She explained that while the County's numbers remained subject to change, the City's projections had proven to be very accurate. Based on the updated information, the proposed levy represented a 6.13 percent increase over the adopted levy, with the estimated tax capacity rate increasing from approximately 46.12 percent to 47.28 percent. She advised that staff would prepare a taxpayer impact analysis for the next work session after receiving additional Council direction on the proposed levy. She also reviewed the revised budget packet, noting that it summarized levy components, departmental changes, and a master budget worksheet identifying requested expenditures, reductions, alternative funding sources, and capital projects. Finance Director Lund outlined several operating budget reductions already incorporated following previous Council discussions. The Comprehensive Plan would now be completed in- house, reducing costs by approximately $60,000 after anticipated grant funding. The Police Department's proposed wellness sauna and massage chair would instead be funded through the drug task force forfeiture fund, while grant funding eliminated the need to purchase an indoor drone. She noted staff also shifted police squad setup costs to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority core fund, reduced salt purchases by approximately $24,000, eliminated the proposed street maintenance worker position, and lowered the pavement management levy by $200,000 through the use of excess 2025 revenues without reducing planned street maintenance. Despite those reductions, she reported that an additional approximately $264,000 in reductions would still be needed to reach the Council's previously discussed goal of limiting the levy increase to about five percent. In comparison, only about $30,000 in additional reductions would be necessary to achieve a six percent increase. Finance Director Lund explained that several projects had been deferred to future years of the Capital Improvement Program, including the complete removal of additional license plate reader City Council Work Session / July 28, 2026 Page 3 of 12