Fiscal Year 2022 Preliminary Budget And Levy Adopted In City Of Mendota Heights

Press release from the City of Mendota Heights:

September 10, 2021

On September 9, the City Council adopted the preliminary budget and proposed tax levy for fiscal year 2022.

The adopted preliminary levy of $11.269 million is an increase of 7.5% over 2021. Assuming no changes are made and the budget is certified as final in December, the median-valued home in Mendota Heights ($438,000 in 2022) will see an increase of approximately 7.79% in the City’s portion of the property taxes payable in 2022. That will amount to $128 annually.

The preliminary budget adds a Parks and Recreation Manager position in 2022, and eliminates a currently vacant half-time Police Community Service Officer position. The budget provides for enhanced parks and recreation programming services, and upgrades an existing employee position dedicated to the management of Natural Resources.

Also included are one-time capital expenditures totaling $1,513,539. These will be funded with just over $1.3 million from the General Fund balance; $200,000 in proceeds which remain from the 2019 sale of city-owned land; and other dedicated City funds. These purchases will improve and enhance Public Safety and Public Works services, expand recreational amenities, and more. Notable one-time expenditures include:

At the September 9 meeting, City Finance Director Kristen Schabacker noted that after the City Council’s approval of the preliminary budget, the levy amount cannot be increased. However, she said that it could be decreased before the final levy and budget adoption, which is scheduled for consideration on December 7. The City Council must certify the final budget and levy by December 28, 2021.

For more information visit mendotaheightsmn.gov/finance.

This press release was produced by the City of Mendota Heights. The views expressed here are the author’s own.