Summary

City Council adopts 2026 budget and related tax, utility, transportation, and grant measures

Saint PaulDec 3, 20253 min read

At a glance

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At the December 3, 2025 City Council meeting (3:31 PM–5:03 PM), Council adopted the 2026 City budget and tax levy, approved multiple utility rate and budget items (water, sanitary/storm sewer, solid waste, Regional Water Services), authorized transportation and sidewalk grant agreements, approved Neighborhood and Cultural STAR grant awards, authorized several grant applications (including inflow/infiltration and solar), approved conveyance and easement actions, and ordered the razing of a structure at 693 Cook Avenue East. Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson participated remotely; roll call showed full membership present at start. Several items were laid over or withdrawn as noted in the minutes.

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City Council

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LaborTransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyEducationEnvironmentalHousingUtilities

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Key decisions

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Adopted the 2026 City Budget (RES 25-1814) and approved the 2026 City Tax Levy (RES 25-1853) as amended.
Approved Regional Water Services 2026 Budget (RES 25-1816) and amended the Regional Water Services 2025 budget to add $600,000 for urgent 2024 lead replacement funds (RES PH 25-259).
Established 2026 water charges and water fees/charges (RES PH 25-230; RES PH 25-231) and set 2026 sanitary sewer and storm sewer rates (RES PH 25-239).
Set the Solid Waste Service Fee for 2026 and authorized a SCORE grant request to support curbside recycling (RES PH 25-253; RES PH 25-254).
Adopted ordinance amending Legislative Code Section 220.05 to set rates for base level garbage service effective January 1, 2026 (Ord 25-77).
Authorized MnDOT Local Road Improvement grant agreement for St. Peter & 4th Pedestrian Improvement, Cleveland Sidewalk and Marshall Sidewalk projects (RES 25-1685).
Approved 2025 Neighborhood and Cultural STAR grant awards (RES 25-1614; RES 25-1710) and related appointments to STAR Board (RES 25-1733).
Authorized multiple grant applications, including Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Private Property I/I (RES 25-1763), Municipal I/I (RES 25-1766), MPCA Stormwater/Wastewater/Community Resilience planning grant (RES 25-1808), and Minnesota Dept. of Commerce Solar on Public Buildings grant for Dayton’s Bluff Recreation Center (RES 25-1806).
Authorized conveyance of a perpetual easement to the Saint Paul Port Authority for a new dockwall (RES 25-1833) and approved acquisition of easements for the University Avenue Reconstruction Project (RES 25-1865).
Approved a Five-Year Street Reconstruction Plan (FY2026–2030) and granted preliminary approval for issuance of certain General Obligation Street Reconstruction Bonds (RES PH 25-264).
Ordered razing and removal of structures at 693 Cook Avenue East within 15 days following the public hearing (RLH RR 25-32).
Approved various Fire Department budget amendments and reimbursements, and authorized payments related to firefighter graduation (RES PH 25-271; RES PH 25-272; RES 25-1873).
Adopted HRA 2026 Budget and certified the Final HRA property tax levy payable in 2026 (RES 25-1861) and authorized transfers from HRA to the General Fund as amended (RES PH 25-274).

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