Eagan City Council Meeting - December 2, 2025

The Eagan City Council met on December 2, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Eagan Municipal Center. The meeting included the swearing-in of Police Chief Salim Omari, adoption of the consent agenda, public hearings on the 2026 budget and tax levy and the 2026 fee schedule, and action on a dog licensing ordinance amendment and a conditional use permit for an animal dermatology clinic. Councilmember Hansen was absent due to a family death.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from November 3, 10, and 18, 2025 meetings.
• Approved personnel items including memoranda of agreement.
• Approved check registers for November 14 and 21, 2025.
• Approved contracts, donations resolution, lease extension with Great River Energy (10-year term), 2026 capital improvement plans for vehicles, equipment, and facilities.
• Approved 2026 enterprise fund budgets (utilities, Cascade Bay, Civic Arena, Community Center) and special revenue fund budgets (Tree Mitigation, Cedar Grove Parking Garage, Opioid Crisis Prevention, Sustainability, E-TV, Local Housing Aid).
• Ratified 2026 Eagan Convention and Visitors Bureau budget.
• Approved multiple change orders, final payments, encroachment agreement, surplus declarations, liquor license manager change, resolution for Dakota County CDA to administer affordable housing funds, 2026 waste abatement grant, lease amendment with Fairview Health Services, appointment of hearing officer for massage therapy licensure, purchase agreement and quiet title action for right-of-way, and acceptance of Minnesota Department of Public Safety grant of $626,200 for the Dakota County Drug Task Force.
• All consent items were approved unanimously.

Public Hearings & Testimony

• 2026 Budget and Tax Levy Adoption: Public hearing opened. One resident, Jason Nord (Cares Way), expressed concern that the 8.9% tax levy increase was unaffordable for residents, noting that incomes are not rising as fast. He suggested cutting $2 million from the budget, possibly by reducing staff, though he acknowledged the city's good management. Another resident, Ian Hill-Rud, asked whether more people work in Eagan than live there and how redevelopment of commercial sites (e.g., former Thomson Reuters) will affect tax burden. A third attendee asked for more detailed budget information online. A former city employee, Cameron, asked about the role of AI in the budget (referring to police report-writing AI). The council continued the hearing to December 16, 2025, to allow Councilmember Hansen to participate and to avoid conflict with Dakota County's truth-in-taxation hearing.
• 2026 Fee Schedule Adoption: No public testimony. The council closed the hearing and adopted the fee schedule.

Discussion Items

• Swearing-In of Police Chief Salim Omari: Chief Omari, Eagan's seventh police chief, was sworn in after a brief ceremony. He holds a BA in criminal justice and a master's in police leadership, previously served with Bloomington and St. Paul Police, and was selected by peers for the Kremmi Leadership Award. The mayor and council welcomed him.
• Ordinance Amendment – Dog Licensing (Chapter 10): Staff proposed changing the license period from expiring on February 20 of even-numbered years to a two-year term from the date of issuance to improve compliance. The council approved the amendment unanimously.
• Conditional Use Permit – Animal Dermatology Clinic: Applicant Dr. Lisa Ryder and Dr. Sarah Bancroft proposed a specialty veterinary dermatology clinic at 2795 Pilot Knob Road, within the Neighborhood Business zone. The clinic would occupy about half of an existing 14,500 sq ft office building, with no exterior changes, outpatient only, and no outdoor exercise area. The Planning Commission recommended approval on November 25, 2025. Council approved subject to conditions in the Planning Commission minutes.

Key Outcomes

• 2026 Budget and Tax Levy: Public hearing continued to December 16, 2025, for formal action. The proposed general fund budget is $46 million (9.3% increase), with a tax levy increase of 8.9% (driven by personnel costs, health insurance, new positions, AI software, state mandates, and capital investments). Without the new community center bonds, the levy increase would be 7%. The average home value rose 3.2% to $425,000, resulting in a projected city tax increase of 9.8% on the average home ($1,454 to $1,542). The council directed staff to provide dollar breakdowns of levy drivers for the next meeting.
• 2026 Fee Schedule Adopted: Notable fee changes include: park and trail dedication fees up 4%; daily admission at Cascade Bay up $1; Civic Arena hourly rates up $5; utility rates increased (water 2.5%, sewer 9.8%, street lighting 1.5%, storm drainage 13%); average household utility bill up 7.2% ($4.72/month, of which $0.46 is a state-mandated safe drinking water fee); new fingerprinting fee of $20 for residents/$30 for non-residents. All unanimously approved.
• Dog Licensing Ordinance: Amended to allow two-year licenses from issuance date.
• Conditional Use Permit: Approved for animal dermatology clinic at 2795 Pilot Knob Road, with conditions.