St. Paul City Council Truth in Taxation Meeting - November 25, 2024

The St. Paul City Council convened a special Truth in Taxation public hearing to address the proposed 2026 budget and the proposed 5.3% property tax levy increase. The session was dominated by emotional testimony regarding the city's response to a federal immigration (ICE) raid earlier that day, where residents alleged the St. Paul Police Department (SPPD) acted inappropriately with force against peaceful protesters. Speakers overwhelmingly demanded a shift in budget priorities away from law enforcement and toward funding frontline workers, libraries, and recreation centers.

Consent Calendar

• No items were voted on during this public hearing; the Council President noted the budget adoption is scheduled for the regular meeting on December 3rd.

Public Comments & Testimony

Budget & Taxation Concerns

• Brian Bergson (Disabled Veteran, fixed income): Expressed strong opposition to the budget, stating property taxes have doubled in four years and increase far faster than his disability stipend; argued that only reducing spending will lower taxes and that no programs exist for disabled or elderly residents.
• Will Thompson (Veteran, homeowner): Expressed strong opposition, noting his 85-year-old home faces a 48% city tax increase (contrary to the 5% presentation) and an unrealistic 36% market value jump, forcing working people out of the city.
• Greg Blee Sword: Expressed support for the city's constraint on the 5.3% levy increase compared to neighboring counties but urged the Council to find more ways to reduce the certified tax levy further.
• Andrew Mangles: Expressed full support for maintaining library hours and rec center funding, arguing cuts will force vulnerable residents onto the streets.
• Jane Prince (Spokesperson for Insight Agenda): Expressed strong opposition to any new spending, citing the highest residential property tax rate in the state and the highest percentage of tax-stressed residents; argued against converting commercial to residential downtown as a bad use of funds.
• Luke Jansen: Expressed strong opposition to cuts in libraries and parks, arguing it is immoral to pay workers poverty wages while pursuing austerity.
• Community Member (West Coast): Expressed concern that 40% of state funding is not being received for regional parks; proposed decertifying tax increment finance districts and demanding state funds to offset 5 million dollars in the property tax burden.
• Community Member (Residential): Expressed strong opposition to library and rec center cuts, citing the need for services for the unhoused and vulnerable.
• Community Member on Library: Expressed concern that the residential disposal fee structure is confusing and that recycling revenue should not fund a yard; threatened to sell their home if increases continue.
• Donald Clark (Small Business Owner): Expressed opposition to the budget, stating property taxes for his business have increased 60% since 2019; argued nonprofits are not paying their fair share.
• Community Member (Resident): Expressed frustration that property taxes are increasing by more than 10% annually rather than the proposed 5.3%, making homeownership unsustainable; questioned where recycling revenue goes.
• Community Member (Library Association): Expressed strong opposition to the Rondo Library bathroom relocation project, calling it a waste of nearly a million dollars that should instead fund frontline staff and facility maintenance.
• Valerie Meges: Expressed opposition to funding SPPD over youth resources, noting that funds are used to terrorize families rather than support them.
• Jackie: Expressed opposition to the 18.8% property tax increase, stating it feels like being taxed out of a home and urging the Council to minimize increases.
• Danielle Fonden (Small Business Owner): Expressed strong opposition to the 35% commercial property tax increase, citing decreased property values and failed city maintenance (trees, sidewalks, gas meters).
• Brian Doby: Expressed strong opposition, noting a 10.1% increase this year and 27.6% over two years, calling the process unfair and unconscious.
• Spencer John: Expressed support for investing in public services and frontline workers, arguing safety is achieved by meeting basic needs.
• Ben Eilenfeld (Library Associate): Expressed outrage over the Rondo Library bathroom project and low wages ($17/hr) for clerical staff; called for investment in frontline workers.
• Dave: Expressed strong opposition to the 21.3% tax increase and lack of city services (tree trimming, sidewalk repairs, street lamps), arguing safety is no longer a priority.
• Jess Corner: Expressed opposition to prioritizing consultants, developers, and evictions over frontline workers and rent stabilization.
• Community Member (Homeowner): Expressed strong opposition to the budget and police actions, noting firefighters receive high calls but low wages and criticizing high salaries in political departments.
• Carl: Expressed strong opposition to the 30.26% of the budget allocated to police, questioning the utility of funding a force focused on terrorizing and gassing community members.
• Katie Kraft: Expressed strong opposition to using city resources to attack residents during protests; demanded an audit of resources spent on the raid.
• Carlo Franco: Expressed expectation that the city bill the federal government for the cost of the police response to the raid.
• Kate Allen (School Social Worker): Expressed deep concern that city police are not protecting students from ICE; argued SPPD actions are the wrong side of history.
• Jessica Donian: Expressed support for higher taxes only if they go to frontline services (libraries, parks) rather than militarized police and administrative staff.
• Amanda: Expressed opposition to the budget proposal, noting the working class is squeezed by rising costs and that TIFs (Tax Increment Financing) do not fund public services.
• Jordan Kuhn: Expressed opposition to the police budget increase and called for an audit of SPD spending for the raid.
• Peter Hendricks: Expressed concern regarding the lack of transparency in budget notices (wrong date) and called for responsive government communication.
• Bobby Yang: Expressed fear of the police acting with ICE and called for accountability and reconciliation of the budget with actual public safety.
• Oliver Guzman: Expressed fear that ICE will infiltrate warming spaces and snatch children; supported fire department funding and called for an SPPD audit.
• Chantel Allen: Expressed deep fear and lack of safety, stating police were facing citizens with guns rather than federal agents; objected to budget cuts in firefighter budgets.
• Julie Bass (Ward 5): Encouraged Council members to demonstrate transformational leadership and align the budget with community values.
• Community Member: Expressed concern that the upcoming December 3rd hearing lacks translation for Spanish, Hmong, Somali, and Karen speakers who attended tonight.
• Community Member (Rondo): Expressed opposition to library closures and renovations, stating nothing has changed and community members feel controlled.

Support for Housing & Community Programs

• Will Bowman (Ujama Place): Expressed strong support for increased funding to expand housing access for returning citizens, arguing stable housing is critical for rehabilitation and employment.
• Christian Asbury (Ujama Place): Expressed strong support for funding the Ujama Place transitional housing program, which provides stability, educational support, and pathways to home ownership for African American men.
• Joshua E. Thomas (Ujama): Expressed that the Ujama housing program provides the peace and tools necessary for residents to find work and education.
• Xavier Robertson (Ujama): Expressed that funding housing allows residents to keep their minds clear and pursue goals.
• Jay Kwan: Expressed that the Ujama housing program transformed his life and is key for the Rondo neighborhood; called for the community to work together.
• Coach Key (Ujama Place): Expressed that the housing program has brought life back to participants and urged the Council to provide the requested funds.
• Titus Forcene (Ujama): Expressed that Ujama gave him a chance to improve his trajectory and better his future and that of his son.

Police Conduct & ICE Raid Testimony

• Jeffrey Piquette: Expressed anger and sadness, recounting being pepper-sprayed by SPPD after trying to inform residents of their rights; stated federal agents were present but SPPD escalated the situation; demanded oversight and questions regarding SPPD collaboration with federal agents.
• Anonymous Resident: Expressed anger, recounting being maced by SPPD while trying to deter officers; asked how much of the budget aids federal law enforcement in violation of the separation ordinance; demanded oversight and policy changes regarding officer identification.
• Leah Van Dasser: Expressed horror that SPPD supported ICE raids, causing a school lockdown; echoed questions regarding budget allocation to federal enforcement and oversight.
• Clara Doctor: Expressed disgust and disappointment at SPPD arriving in riot gear during the raid; demanded oversight and questioned if public dollars were spent on federal operations.
• Nick Niles: Expressed shock and sadness that SPPD supported masked federal authorities during the raid; demanded questions regarding budget and oversight.
• Miguel: Expressed anger that SPPD escalated the situation and attacked protesters; called for demilitarizing the police department and investing in frontline workers to reduce crime.
• Isaac Milkey (AftME 1842): Expressed concern over poverty wages for library and rec center workers, noting they are the only ones who do not wear masks during violence; called to stop hiring consultants and keep rec centers staffed.
• Community Member (Rec Center): Expressed frustration that frontline rec workers handle dangerous situations without masks or protection, while officers wear gas masks and hide identities.
• Laurel Grammling: Expressed urgency to keep libraries and parks open late to serve as safe havens for the unhoused, immigrants, and families, noting warming centers are being cut.
• Community Member (Library): Expressed frustration that libraries and rec centers are underfunded while programs for the unhoused face cuts.
• Community Member (School Teacher): Expressed heartbreak and anger over the police raid, recalling past instances of heavy police presence at community events causing disorder; urged investment in frontline workers over police.
• Community Member (Rondo): Expressed heartbreak over police actions affecting children, noting kids are scared of the police who are supposed to protect them.
• Community Member (East St. Paul): Expressed that police backing ICE sends a message that federal immigration enforcement is more important than community trust; called for accountability.
• Ava: Expressed upset that funds are spent on evicting encampments rather than services; called for disclosure of eviction spending.
• Community Member (East Side): Expressed opposition to police actions and called for accountability.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Budget Proposal Context: The Council President clarified that Ms. Verma presented the Mayor's original proposal from August, which does not yet reflect amendments the Council is preparing to introduce based on community feedback (e.g., investing in frontline workers, protecting library/rec hours, funding district councils).
• Truth in Taxation Hearing Requirements: The Council President noted the state statute requiring the hearing at 6 p.m. and expressed frustration that the hearing feels disingenuous given budget development is far along.
• Discrepancy Notice: The Council President acknowledged that the proposed 5.3% levy increase presented by the Chief Budget Officer differs significantly from the individual tax bills many residents received, indicating higher increases for some based on property value assessments and specific levies.

Key Outcomes

• No Final Vote on Budget: The 2026 budget is scheduled for adoption and the property tax levy is to be set during the regular meeting on December 3rd at 3:30 p.m.
• Amendments Under Consideration: The Council indicated they are actively working on amendments to the Mayor's proposal that directly incorporate community testimony regarding frontline worker wages, library/rec center funding, and infrastructure.
• Community Directives Identified: The Council recorded a clear, overwhelming public demand to:
  • Oppose cuts to libraries, recreation centers, and EMS.
  • Oppose the current level of police funding and support for federal immigration operations.
  • Oppose high property tax increases that exceed the proposed average levy rate.
  • Support affordable housing initiatives for returning citizens and vulnerable populations.
  • Demand an audit of St. Paul Police Department spending related to the ICE raid and a bill to the federal government for those costs.
  • Prioritize investing in frontline wages over consultants and administrative salaries.
• Next Steps: The Council President thanked the public for their testimony and stated the Council will be "getting to work" to address the concerns raised before the December 3rd meeting.