Back in December, Minneapolis City Council approved an 8% tax levy increase. KSTP reported that:
City of Lakes homeowners, like Julie Hudak, are feeling the impact, as they also support the park board, school district and other entities seeking increases.
The Hudaks are bracing for a nearly 6% total property tax increase next year, following a more than 12% increase this year — they expect to be paying about $1,600 more than just two years ago.
“It’s so frustrating. You know, as I said back in the summer, we love living here,” she added about the first time we connected as rates were proposed.
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While surrounded by increases, the Hudaks are feeling like the services they expect their taxes to pay for aren’t keeping up, adding they feel trapped.
“The parkway is beautiful when it’s maintained, but when the streets aren’t being maintained…” Despite the frustrations, Hudak said leaving seems drastic, adding, “[It’s home.] We’ve been here 35 years.”
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…Minneapolis leaders believe their investments will strengthen the city for decades.
Yet, even with property tax burdens increasing and core duties going unfulfilled, Minneapolis city council has found new things to spend money on. On Monday, KSTP reported that:
Minneapolis is putting a historic amount of money into immigration legal services, committing more than $1 million after the city council unanimously approved measures expanding support for residents facing complex federal enforcement and court proceedings.
“I think that it’s very important to recognize that this is the largest amount of money that has ever been dedicated to the provision of immigration legal services, and it truly is transformational,” said Michelle Rivero, The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) director.
She said the money comes from three sources: $275,000 already in the city budget for immigration legal services, $246,418 previously approved for 2026, and an additional $500,000 that the city council shifted from the Minneapolis Fire Department’s budget.
“We’re using the fire department and then refilling that with public safety aid,” Council Member Jason Chavez said during the Feb. 3 City Council meeting. He added, “We won’t be losing any services, except taking money from the public safety aid that was remaining and unallocated.”
Public Safety Aid was enacted by the “historic” DFL trifecta in 2023. It was, the League of Minnesota Cities explains:
…a new aid for local governments to be used for public safety purposes…Unlike local government aid, the new public safety aid is not to be used for general purposes — though the language was written broadly to include various types of allowable uses, such as personnel and equipment.
KSTP continues:
Rivero said the providers are Volunteer Lawyers Network, The Advocates for Human Rights, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, and the International Institute of Minnesota.
Each of these organizations accepts tax-deductible donations from those willing to make them. In the meantime, Minneapolis’ city council continues to reduce affordability for the city’s residents.