Minneapolis Budget Committee Meeting - October 6, 2025: Public Hearing on Mayor's Recommended 2026 Budget & Position Salary Correction

On Monday, October 6, 2025, at 11:36 a.m., the Budget Committee of the Minneapolis City Council convened in chambers to consider a correction to the salary range of a staff position and to hold the second of four public hearings on the Mayor's recommended 2026 budget. The meeting was chaired by Councilmember Aisha Chugtai. A quorum of 10 members was present; Councilmembers Ellison, Osman, and Jenkins were absent.

Discussion Items

• Correction of Deputy Director 311 Service Center Salary Range: Brenda Miller of the Human Resources Department presented a correction to the points and salary range for the Deputy Director of the 311 Service Center, previously reviewed on September 8, 2025. An error by an outside consultant reduced the total points from 578 to 573, resulting in a decrease in the low end of the salary range from $129,000 to $128,000 (a difference of approximately $1,142) and the high end from $153,000 to $152,000 (a difference of $1,354). The item met the criteria of Section 2010 10 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances. The committee voted unanimously to approve the correction and submit it to the City Council for review.
• Mayor's Recommended 2026 Budget Overview: Budget Director Jane DeSenza provided a brief summary of the proposed budget, which totals just over $2 billion with an increase to the city property tax levy of about 7.8% (as originally presented by the Mayor on August 13, 2025). The Board of Estimate and Taxation in September authorized a tax levy of up to 8% to fund upcoming parks projects. Director DeSenza highlighted the structure of the budget book, the maximum property tax levy adopted by the Board, and an online levy impact estimator. She noted key milestones: the third public hearing on November 19, 2025, and the fourth (truth in taxation) hearing on December 9, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Homelessness & Native American Disparities: Sally Feinde (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) urged the council to address homelessness among Indigenous people, stating that 2% of the state’s Native population represents 30% of the homeless population in the metro area. She called for culturally appropriate solutions and more funding.
• Speak Minneapolis / Public Access TV Funding: Multiple speakers (Rebecca Smith, CEO of Speak Minneapolis; Luke Olean Junk, Community Media Manager; James Harris, Director of Community Media; Douglas Williams, Ward 7; Nancy Smith, founding member; Derek Koschel, comedian; Sati Jaimez Botello, youth intern; Fancy Ray McCloney, comedian; and others) opposed the Mayor’s proposed $12,500 ongoing reduction to public access TV funding. They argued that public access is essential for free speech, digital equity, youth development, and media literacy. Speakers noted that Speak Minneapolis serves 185 active members, produced over 2,000 programs in the past year, and provided training to nearly 200 community members in 2024. They urged full restoration of funding.
• Co-Enforcement Program Funding (CETUL / ROC): Several workers and organizers (Erica Castro, Kayleigh Murphy, Ashton Samuelson, Sue Goodstar, Luisa Yela, Marcel Holmes, Mariana, Daisy Paniora, Maxwell Sean, Kyle Tappy, Catalina Montiel, and others) spoke against the Mayor’s proposed over-50% cut to the co-enforcement program, which funds worker centers like CETUL and ROC. They described how the programs help workers recover stolen wages, fight harassment, and organize. Sue Goodstar stated that in 2024, the program reached 3,536 workers at 505 different workplaces. Speakers asked the council to restore full funding.
• Police Accountability & Public Safety: Simone Samuels (sister of Mariah Samuels, a homicide victim) and Jana Williams criticized the Minneapolis Police Department for failing to act on domestic violence complaints and for not carrying Narcan. They called for firing Police Chief Brian O’Hara and for greater oversight of the police by the city council. Mike Forshaw (Bad River Band of Ojibwe) also criticized the police response to homelessness and encampments.
• Zen City Contract: Bob Gunan (Ward 4) and Kira Kelly (human rights attorney) opposed the city’s $500,000 contract with Zen City for a community perception survey, arguing it is costly and ineffective. Bob Gunan noted that three qualified vendors proposed prices of $148,000 to $175,000 and that a public records request could not find documentation justifying the selection of Zen City. Kira Kelly stated that Zen City’s leadership has ties to Israeli military unit 8200 and that the contract undermines community trust.
• Housing Programs: Several speakers (Marcia Howard, MFT Local 59; Natasha Doctor, MPS teacher; Naomi Wilson, parent; Kristen Crabtree, Ward 9) urged the council to fully fund both the Stable Homes, Stable Schools program and emergency housing vouchers for unsheltered families. They opposed any cuts that pit these programs against each other.
• Lake Street / Commercial Corridors: Yussura Mahamud (Lake Street Council) noted a 40% drop in monthly revenue for immigrant businesses due to fear of deportation and asked for increased funding for the Great Streets program and business support. Russ Adams also requested investment in cultural districts.
• Other Items: Peter Rickmeyer suggested extending Skyway hours for revenue generation and reforming legal cost efficiency. Marilyn and others spoke in support of worker rights.

Key Outcomes

• The committee unanimously approved the salary range correction for the Deputy Director 311 Service Center, sending it to the full City Council for final approval.
• The public hearing on the 2026 budget was closed after hearing 41 registered speakers. No votes were taken on the budget itself. The committee will hold its third public hearing on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 6:05 p.m., and the final truth-in-taxation hearing on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 6:05 p.m.
• Further department budget presentations are scheduled for the committee’s next meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., covering Emergency Management, Human Resources, and Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.