Bloomington City Council Meeting - December 15, 2025

The Bloomington City Council met on Monday, December 15, 2025, for its second-to-last meeting of the year. The council addressed a 20-item agenda including adoption of the final 2026 property tax levy and general fund budget, two public hearings, a study item on fence standards, and discussion of the 2026 legislative platform. Key actions included approving a reduced levy increase of 6.96% (down from the preliminary 9.44%), amending contract approval thresholds, granting staff paid leave on Christmas Eve, and hearing public testimony from residents and Scouts.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items 3.1 through 3.8 by a vote of 6-1, with Councilmember Rivas voting against because he was "not satisfied with the HRA levy" (Item 3.8). The other seven items were routine approvals and were passed without further discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Scheduled Speaker: Vicky Hugheem, HRA Commissioner, spoke during the council’s listening session. She expressed support for the HRA levy request and commended the city’s budget work. The council also acknowledged Oliver, Thomas, and Giovanni – local Boy Scouts attending to earn merit badges – and thanked them for staying to the end of the meeting.
• Public Hearings (Items 4.2 & 4.3): No members of the public testified during either hearing; both were closed after calls for speakers.

Discussion Items

• Item 4.1 – 2026 Property Tax Levy & General Fund Budget: City Manager Zach Walker announced a one-time use of $450,000 from the Strategic Priorities Fund to reduce the proposed levy increase from 7.48% to 6.96%, responding to affordability concerns raised at the December 8 Truth in Taxation hearing (18 speakers). Finance Director Kari Carlson presented the final budget: the 6.96% increase equals roughly $124.39 per year for a median-value home ($2.39/week). More than half the increase is driven by public safety (fire department transition to combination staffing and police positions). The levy was reduced from a preliminary 9.44% through $2.17 million in expense reductions, revenue adjustments, and levy stabilization. Council members discussed the balance between service levels and affordability; Councilmember Carter noted a mandate for equity and inclusion work, while Councilmember Rivas expressed concern about using strategic funds and his constituents’ hardship.
• Item 5.1 – Fence Standards Update (Study Item): Planner Dylan Palmer presented four options to allow taller (6-foot) fences on corner side yards, removal of opacity requirements, updated fence materials, and an 8-foot fence allowance. The planning commission was divided on several points. Councilmembers offered feedback: leaning toward Options C or D for corner yards, support for removing opacity requirements, concerns about enforcement and safety, and mixed views on 8-foot fences (Mayor opposed them). Staff will revise the code and return for a public hearing in January 2026 and council action in February 2026.
• Item 5.2 – 2026 Legislative Platform Discussion: Deputy City Manager Elizabeth Tolesman and Brianna Eicheldinger presented the draft platform, including two state capital budget requests (North Central Sanitary Sewer and Old Shakopee Road Corridor improvements) and a request to allow intoxicating liquor sales at Dwan Golf Course. The draft platform covers 11 priority areas (broadband, data practices, cannabis tax revenue, housing, public safety, transportation, etc.) and federal earmarks. Council commended the new format and requested specific language on housing policy. The platform will be formally adopted at the next council meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Final 2026 Property Tax Levy: Adopted by a vote of 6-1 (Councilmember Rivas opposed) – establishes a 6.96% increase.
• Final 2026 General Fund Budget: Adopted unanimously (7-0).
• Contract Approval Threshold Ordinance (Item 4.2): Approved 7-0 to raise the ceiling for council-approved construction contracts from $100,000 to $175,000, aligning with the city’s purchasing policy.
• Technical Ordinance Amendment (Item 4.3): Approved 7-0 to replace “associate city attorney” with “city attorney’s office” in the administrative hearing process.
• Christmas Eve Closure: Approved 7-0 to close City Hall at 12:00 p.m. on December 24, 2025, granting staff four hours of paid leave.
• Next Steps: The fence ordinance will return after a planning commission public hearing in January 2026. The legislative platform will be formally adopted at the December 22 council meeting. The council will also explore a resolution addressing immigrant community concerns and examine historical compensation data for city staff.