In September, the City Council approved the preliminary 2027 tax levy and general fund budget with an increase of 6.64% over 2026.
According to state law, the preliminary levy is the maximum amount the City can collect through property taxes for the coming year. The Council can lower that number but can’t raise it before final approval.
It likely won’t surprise you that 82% of the proposed budget increase goes to the five core services that cities provide: police, fire, public works, parks and recreation and community development. And to put an even sharper point on that, 48% of the proposed budget increase will go to police and fire.
Keeping Bloomington safe, plowing the streets, providing the best water in Minnesota, maintaining our parks and green spaces, and supporting our business community—Bloomington residents have made it clear that they value these services and have high expectations when it comes to the delivery of these services. The proposed budget reflects those values and expectations.
And it’s one more step in the journey. Many Council meetings from now to December will include budget discussions. Please tune in at blm.mn/youtube if you’d like to better understand the process and hear the thoughtful conversations about the most important work we do as a Council.
