The 2 Rivers City Council approved the 2026 tax levy and a set of fund budgets after extended debate about household impacts, transit costs and community priorities. The adopted levy totals $5,745,070.73 — a 4.05% increase from the prior year — and the council also adopted combined fund budgets totaling approximately $41.7 million in appropriations for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2026.

Council members and residents questioned the timing and size of the levy increase and urged fiscal restraint. Officials explained that only about 35% of the combined tax rate is the city’s portion (roughly $6.50 per $1,000 of assessed value) and used an example that a $200,000 home would face about $48 more per year under the combined levy change. The budget includes full funding for transit (MMT Route 1) and a 2% increase requested for Lester Public Library operations.

Supporters said the modest increase is driven by rising costs — insurance, mandated staffing and inflation — and that failing to adopt the levy would force deeper cuts to essential services or leave the city unprepared to meet contractual obligations. Critics urged scaling back nonessential projects and expressed concern about an anticipated 2027 shortfall the city manager had projected.

Council adopted complementary resolutions to carry forward allowable unused levy capacity from 2025 and to adopt all fund budgets; members voted the measures on the record. The council noted that some capital projects under discussion (including the Neshoto concession renovation) were not funded in the 2026 operating budget and would require separate borrowing approvals.

Next steps: tax bills will be finalized and mailed later in December; staff will continue discussions with transit providers and the room tax commission regarding long‑term funding options.