[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6475350,"mediaKeyId","5734499-25d4305fe561fb87828c04b0399df234","parentId",5734499,"title","City council adopts preliminary 2026 budget and tax levy for publication","audioSeconds",1266,"startMs",2044000,"endMs",3310000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5734499-25d4305fe561fb87828c04b0399df234&start=2044&end=3310","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5734499-25d4305fe561fb87828c04b0399df234/thumbnail_2044000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6475350/Inver-Grove-Heights/Dakota-County/Minnesota/City-council-adopts-preliminary-2026-budget-and-tax-levy-for-publication","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475350-e9b9775bb0fe3c6e4eb74600ce876f3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442739&Signature=GteLuZStVhT2PWGHQ6kMDGoqWkMS6JowDTe73G17-NrKAua10abJkMwVbYLkXod5FlgVcaoscnjAg4is7QqNcqU1X~hpt0Ks7szY9TRGMk5jI6Ek45BlY7jUQESkONl9F5LNwTFm9zc3m0tRPa9cxPqCyLKup39o6knthHsRZwm~Y-DKzRfajeOLsyJ24qCr0qejwRFSA6Tx0Aa2tmDhkj~nqBhrbIP6ANthP~TL0PpsCDkJC-ufQ1Li9OCAtkc3oi8zSsJuWg~8kLpJV~QivPqZQO8SlBtIxNOo9b0PWTIE83mxLT7GzwkMNqXdk6ryjrjgd3Un15U9YugAbbIAbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Inver Grove Heights","date","2025-09-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Inver Grove Heights City Council adopted four preliminary resolutions setting the city’s proposed 2026 tax levies and preliminary general fund budget and set the statutorily required public meeting date for Dec. 8.

Finance Director Amy Holf summarized the budget framework the council had reviewed in prior work sessions. Holf said the revised preliminary proposed levy is $36,178,590 — a 5.74% increase from the prior year on the number presented — and that the council directed staff to reduce earlier figures to reach the current total. She explained the preliminary levy must be adopted by Sept. 30 and that the final levy adopted in December may be lower but not higher.

Holf reviewed drivers for the levy increase, including wages and benefits (cost-of-living adjustments under existing labor agreements), the new Minnesota family and medical leave tax, health insurance increases, and the phase-in of previously approved public-safety hires (a multi-year “safer” savings plan for firefighters and a smaller phase-in for police hires, the latter partially offset by grant funding). Holf also described one-time uses of prior-year savings: phase-two safer-savings spending, a requested emergency warning siren in the northwest area, and an incident command vehicle. She said police vehicle outfitting will use prior savings and forfeiture funds.

The preliminary levy packet also included the pavement management levy (presented as a 3% increase) and the debt service levy. Holf provided an estimate for a median-valued residential property (median value cited as $362,200) and said the estimated annual change in city taxes would be $80.59 under the preliminary levy figure, subject to Dakota County valuation calculations.

Council members asked questions about the police forfeiture fund balance and the reliance on building-permit revenues. Councilor DeGott asked for the forfeiture balance; Holf said she would provide that figure. Councilor Scales and others praised the clarity of the presentation and asked staff to continue monitoring revenue estimates. After discussion a councilor moved and the council passed the four preliminary resolutions: citywide preliminary levy, three special taxing-district levies (approximately $79,394 total across the three districts), and confirmation of the Dec. 8 truth-in-taxation meeting date.

Staff will continue refining revenue estimates and bring the final levy and budget to the council in December.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Inver Grove Heights - Inver Grove Heights City Council","oneSentenceSummary","The Inver Grove Heights City Council adopted four preliminary budget and levy resolutions on Sept. 8, setting a proposed 2026 citywide tax levy of $36,178,590 and scheduling the required truth-in-taxation meeting for Dec. 8.","taxTitle","Inver Grove Heights, Dakota County, Minnesota","taxId",55939,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475336,"Votes at a glance: council approves preliminary levy, calls assessment hearing, moves ordinance first reading and approves employee benefit contract",4746,52000,4798000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5734499-25d4305fe561fb87828c04b0399df234&start=52&end=4798","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5734499-25d4305fe561fb87828c04b0399df234/thumbnail_52000.jpg","/articles/6475336/Inver-Grove-Heights/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-preliminary-levy-calls-assessment-hearing-moves-ordinance-first-reading-and-approves-employee-benefit-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475336-3b61384d2579d4b252a536ee739c7c9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442739&Signature=KyZdZz3Fj~ioM7Ij6V5q-vRmVlGXeqSbQ5Yw3U-tGHG7PP21XC5y6cUitYTKFaFsdq9xQyvMiXG3aHjliD92uhbEhG1kNhO7GOSU3swObWVdzJSwQWDIkXx4naeC3zShVnA06CJu0HSJB7ubZD7HKDi9B2BVlhwIzzBnuEAFVvnREjYProOYwFJL3yltVC6zG1QQpn3sxooBT0zYQAne-J5UpzEW-efRnweesXpEbuD04UOEhBfMSzRjQCnUVdEjQRqeUU3XcHFkKK4HPCGnwpto-NWLcXpkIc2v-0hNYx5LWib6U5LBxP-7XMDXewiCbPScowxQrg4cl~Q9DwjRyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Inver Grove Heights City Council took several formal votes during its Sept. 8 meeting. Key outcomes:

- Preliminary 2026 budget and levies: Council adopted four preliminary resolutions to set the proposed citywide levy ($36,178,590), three special taxing-district levies (combined ~$79,394) and to set the truth-in-taxation meeting for Dec. 8. Finance staff will refine revenue estimates before the final adoption in December.

- Assessment hearing (Letter H): Council approved a resolution calling a public assessment hearing for Pavement Management Project 2023-9E (Argenta Trail) to be noticed for Oct. 13; staff will prepare parcel-level proposed assessments and mail notices to record owners. The council noted that it may open and continue the hearing if the project is not substantially complete at the hearing.

- Ordinance first reading: Council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending city code to remove the mandatory requirement that speakers provide their address and to make explicit a three-minute standard for comments, with presiding-officer discretion to grant additional time. A second reading will be scheduled for final adoption.

- Employee benefits contract (Consent item L): Council approved moving to MetLife for long-term disability and paid family/medical leave benefits for 2026. Staff clarified the memo contained incorrect cost tables; the change to MetLife is now listed as a savings of $28,100 (not $39,857 as shown earlier). Staff said MetLife still offered the greatest value.

- Consent agenda and pulled items: The council approved the consent agenda with items A, D, H and L pulled for discussion; pulled items A and D were subsequently approved with clarifying motions. The council approved item H (assessment hearing call) and item L (MetLife contract) after discussion.

Votes were taken orally and roll-call tallies were not always read into the record for each motion. Where the meeting recorded opposition or specific concerns that affected a motion, those were noted during the meeting. For example, at least one councilor expressed opposition to calling the assessment hearing immediately because the project had not reached substantial completion; the council nevertheless approved calling the hearing with an option to continue it at the public hearing.

Staff will proceed with required notices and follow-up actions tied to each approved item.","The Inver Grove Heights City Council approved multiple formal actions at its Sept. 8 meeting: preliminary 2026 levy resolutions, a call for an assessment hearing for Argenta Trail, first reading of a public-comment ordinance change, and a benefits contract award to MetLife (with corrected savings).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475340,"Resident urges council to require safety nets after golf balls strike vehicle near driving range",98,3928000,4026000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5734499-25d4305fe561fb87828c04b0399df234&start=3928&end=4026","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5734499-25d4305fe561fb87828c04b0399df234/thumbnail_3928000.jpg","/articles/6475340/Inver-Grove-Heights/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Resident-urges-council-to-require-safety-nets-after-golf-balls-strike-vehicle-near-driving-range","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475340-5afac3d464f1b70186a042efd32b806a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442739&Signature=FgWCULIZwdyr0SRKiSaXB-bzMENnET8nrfA2MXLF-OWiFAd4-LXxeGMWx6mUtn60qVBRmXubgd0vFS9XaczMF9GfeEIYS5LoaE329CqVfXuC9zZ9jqhyHRc1TcaZktCIk51ExNLpqx5sfT5RFR9aU~4Shnh4S0seuG0cjvAfHxWjTCTamhEBCTdcTj-EnO4~zTgM0t3HAJUMDn3NlQmACf9eOQrafC37yY9oSTd0qTkQQtgihivH3d0mu8plZqrUZ0gH~2Dzp6jql9CHlIxlzZYBJy-xH5Jt27fYvKbTNDsjF9xSx9C5VKOMaUlroQwiSChKOHF-pKcCmO9iDenjMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the Inver Grove Heights City Council’s public comment period, resident Kelly Kaeser told the council a golf ball from Southview Country Club’s driving range struck the hood of her truck and caused roughly $1,000 in damage. Kaeser told the council she found multiple golf balls along the road and said the driving range’s existing chain-link fencing did not prevent balls from landing on the adjacent connector street, which carries pedestrians and foot traffic.

Kaeser said the golf course attempted to locate the person on the range responsible but no one stepped forward and she was told the club does not have a mechanism to compensate or to require safety improvements. “It would be really tragic if someone got hit in the head with an errant golf ball,” she said, and requested the city explore regulatory options such as requiring safety nets (she said she would also share the request with West St. Paul since the range abuts other jurisdictions).

Mayor and staff asked for Kaeser’s written request and said staff would follow up. The council did not take action at the meeting, but Clerk Kiernan accepted Kaeser’s letter for staff review.","A resident told the council a driver’s-range golf ball struck the hood of her vehicle and asked the city to explore requiring nets or other mitigation at Southview Country Club’s range to protect pedestrians and nearby properties.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475345,"Council approves first reading to remove mandatory address requirement for public comments",606,3314000,3920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5734499-25d4305fe561fb87828c04b0399df234&start=3314&end=3920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5734499-25d4305fe561fb87828c04b0399df234/thumbnail_3314000.jpg","/articles/6475345/Inver-Grove-Heights/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-first-reading-to-remove-mandatory-address-requirement-for-public-comments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475345-8bab1d608d1da14ff832d2e430e9c7b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442739&Signature=OneGTLsa3II3SzsGLJhWelMPrtVimDyr0hLzLjzQU7IL8TZ1VWNuZdSBwDzhhx3pWVppEQ7jxjbXD3d1yS~z5aPAEEjgzk4iZdnjriJhr8tVIJcoJ60~QNwLRC0ppXJn9oL-X2quQqo7V87r6Kjj1~qyLhM29tJOGSsQFgqdm6Y2uUPiNtbP~CegON5U0CTSMZsFUFq-jBlGp~VX6ZhMaUo~mZzjiHwyQkW6iMwdpYKAeSoIfHdsTGrCvnEBW1U3ZPHthu7KjG9f~sEX4MbanWFPCLoMNwISVKWJs0vh2yiLJmx2EegYkzot4HtkSoqXy~Ty7KwTXyI1Q0oUpt9Zng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Inver Grove Heights City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance amendment that would remove a requirement in city code that individuals provide their address when speaking to the council and clarify that a three-minute time standard applies to public comments and hearings.

Administrator Wilson presented the proposed code change in response to a resident’s concern and updated legal advice from the city attorney’s office. Under the amendment the code would no longer require speakers to provide name and address; instead the presiding officer may invite speakers to give their name and address but it would not be mandatory. Wilson said the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized protection for anonymous speech and the city attorney advised removing a hard requirement to provide a name or address.

Councilors debated the change’s effect on public comment and hearing practice. Council Member Murphy asked whether nonresidents could address the council (Wilson confirmed they may). Councilor Cauch expressed concern that making the three-minute default universal could reduce opportunities in some public hearings; Wilson and others noted the ordinance retains language allowing the presiding officer to grant additional time. Councilor Scales and others said three minutes is a clear standard and the presiding officer can extend time when appropriate.

After discussion a councilor moved and the council approved the ordinance’s first reading; staff said the language can be further adjusted before the second reading. The amendment clarifies that the presiding officer has discretion to extend time and removes the requirement that speakers list their address on the public record.

If adopted at the second reading the change will formally remove the mandatory address requirement from the city code and make the three-minute guidance explicit across public hearings and the public comment period.","The council approved first reading of an ordinance amendment that removes the requirement that speakers provide their address when addressing the council and clarifies the three-minute standard for comments; councilors debated whether three minutes should be automatically applied to hearings and non-hearing comments.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475355,"Council schedules assessment hearing for Argenta Trail after resident objects to timing",1745,215000,1960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5734499-25d4305fe561fb87828c04b0399df234&start=215&end=1960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5734499-25d4305fe561fb87828c04b0399df234/thumbnail_215000.jpg","/articles/6475355/Inver-Grove-Heights/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Council-schedules-assessment-hearing-for-Argenta-Trail-after-resident-objects-to-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475355-545e285d7badabaa42b784a249d9f2ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442739&Signature=ZENRUpo7tXOciJdHEYmbfxltFy39fAUY-fPKZzMSPALpt-03YJGrr6eKRyGGbhselwDYIT-~qCO60P8f4373tIlEJCT7xpSEUMkgPOJCZy9Aj3trkMosSgQMOP7q43PoH6YlfkDvQ~7r7BU6JPwByOgS7nP-hYU~XooEsg3ptlbG7SQurd67Q7j8fLanc7ZTSNfkozIDbudXKy8lPvJkFFNhsXlBsro2YiX~~~aNh6jqJADzmIPIoHqYJRJqf93Ji1u~2g6nSCDSI0ppKC5-Cotyq3SnCyzYRfINlrDwjjKuHuPBwv1e1arAw5cLLCo3kR45cx69ryxVour-l5RTvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Inver Grove Heights City Council voted to call a public assessment hearing on its pavement management project 2023-9E (Argenta Trail) for Oct. 13, while acknowledging a nearby homeowner’s objections that the street is not yet “substantially complete.”

John Wendt, a longtime homeowner at 8804 Argenta, told the council his property has been in his family for five generations and that, as of four hours before his appearance, the street was dirt and mud with no curb, final grading or asphalt. “This is nowhere near substantially complete,” Wendt said, and asked the council to delay the assessment hearing until a clear substantial-completion date exists.

Public Works Director Ryan Connolly said the city’s assessment policy and recent task-force work favor scheduling assessment hearings when projects are substantially complete, but staff maintain a calendar to meet county tax-roll deadlines. Connolly said the Argenta project is anticipated to be substantially complete by Sept. 30 under the contract (with a final lift of pavement planned next year) and that calling the hearing for Oct. 13 gives staff the statutory timeline needed to certify assessments to Dakota County. He also told the council that if a project is still incomplete at the public hearing the council can open the hearing and then continue it to a later meeting (for example, Oct. 27).

Council members pressed staff on alternatives. Council Member Takach asked whether the council could wait until the Sept. 22 meeting; Connolly said Eagan (the city managing the work) indicates the job will not be substantially complete by Sept. 22. Councilor Scales said she preferred not to call a hearing when the city’s own standard language about “substantial completion” was not met, but said she might revisit the question in two weeks. Several council members noted they expect the same decision at the next meeting unless the contractor’s schedule changes.

Connolly explained practical consequences for timing: if an assessment hearing is not held in early October the assessments cannot be certified to the county in time to appear on the 2026 tax roll, which would push levying and collection into the following year and change prepayment/interest timing for owners. He said staff will prepare parcel cost estimates, pull county ownership records and send the statutorily required notice once the hearing is called, and that an open house is typically scheduled before the hearing.

After discussion, a councilor moved and the council approved calling the assessment hearing as described (the council noted it retains the option at the public hearing to continue or postpone certification if the work is not substantially complete). The council also said staff would present the project status at the hearing and would recommend continuing the hearing if the work remained incomplete.

The hearing will be noticed to current record owners; Connolly reminded the council that the owner of record at the time a hearing is called receives the notice per statute. Staff reiterated the Oct. 13 hearing can be opened and continued if needed, and that scheduling the hearing now preserves the 30-day prepayment option under the statute referenced in the meeting.","The Inver Grove Heights City Council voted to call an assessment hearing for Pavement Management Project 2023-9E (Argenta/Argenta Trail) to Oct. 13, saying statutory timing and county tax-roll deadlines require scheduling; a longtime resident asked the council to delay until the work is substantially complete.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City council adopts preliminary 2026 budget and tax levy for publication

Votes at a glance: council approves preliminary levy, calls assessment hearing, moves ordinance first reading and approves employee benefit contract

Resident urges council to require safety nets after golf balls strike vehicle near driving range

Council approves first reading to remove mandatory address requirement for public comments

Council schedules assessment hearing for Argenta Trail after resident objects to timing