2025 Municipal Budget - Budget Message now available

Click here to review the introduced 2025 Budget

Click here to review the Budget Message

2025 Budget Statement, ready by Mayor Nowick at the 4/3 Council Meeting:

I’m pleased to Introduce the 2025 Municipal Budget this evening. While Introducing or adopting
a budget is a fixed moment in time, the budget is an every day part of our efficient, public-
focused operations and long-term planning. In my very first meeting with Cindy Ege after I was
elected in 2022, she said: “The first question you have to ask yourself before you do anything as
Mayor is: how are we going to pay for it?” Believe me when I say I hear that question every day.

This is a very good budget and it is the work of many hands. I must first thank the Finance Team:
Christie Ehret, Michael Drulis, Sue Bacorn, Cindy Ege, and Council President Lambert. Every
budget line has been discussed and reviewed time and again by this capable team. Secondly, and
of equal importance, I thank Council Members Kominsky, Stegman and Lide, who offered
additional insights and suggestions to further reduce the burden on our tax payers.

The Council Members and I share common ground on policy decisions that impact the budget;
we are very much aligned on the priorities of good governance, employee compensation and
development, capital planning, and maintaining and improving our municipally held assets, such
as our treasured buildings, roads, parks, and stormwater systems. This is a team effort and we
share the success of several years’ work to stabilize our finances and keep the tax rate as low as
possible.

The 2025 estimated tax rate for Municipal Purposes is 0.454 up slightly from last year’s rate of
0.446. The local increase on the average home value of $448,738 will be $39.53.
The Budget will be posted to the City website tomorrow. Before our next council meeting, I will
release the Budget Message with specific information about key drivers of this year’s Budget.
We will set aside time on the 17th for public and council discussion before the Second Reading
and Public hearing on May 1st.