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City budget
Understanding your property taxes and home valuations
Bloomington’s deputy finance officer and city assessor help you understand two important documents that arrive in mailboxes in March - your property taxes and home valuations.
In the December 6, 2023 Council Minute, Mayor Tim Busse discusses the 2024 tax levy and budget which was approved by Council on Monday night, acknowledges Bloomington Public Schools for its excellent work in computer science education and recognizes several staff achievements.
In the November 22, 2023 Council Minute, Mayor Tim Busse discusses the 2024 tax levy and budget and gives you a look at the work of the Workforce Bloomington Steering Committee.
In the November 15, 2023 Council Minute, Mayor Tim Busse provides an update on election results and next steps for the community investment plan Bloomington Forward plus, discussions for the 2024 budget continue.
In the October 18, 2023 Council Minute, Mayor Tim Busse provides a recap of the budget discussions from Monday night’s Council meeting and answers your questions about Bloomington Forward, the City’s long-term investment plan that, if approved by voters, would support three major community projects for better health, wellness, recreation and improved natural areas.
In the October 11, 2023 Council Minute, Mayor Tim Busse explains a new and exciting collaboration between Bloomington and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce that will give entrepreneurs the chance to compete for $100,000 in financial assistance, discusses the 2024 budget and answers your questions about Bloomington Forward, specifically about the needs for improvement at Bloomington Ice Garden.
In the September 20, 2023 Council Minute, the City Council sets the preliminary tax levy for 2024, Mayor Busse talks about Bloomington’s participation in Governor Walz’s recent trade mission to Japan and answers your questions about Bloomington Forward, specifically on the difference between a sales tax and a property tax and why Bloomington Ice Garden needs updating.
In the August 23, 2023 Council Minute, Mayor Tim Busse gives an update on the Council’s discussion Monday night about the proposed 2024 City budget and preliminary tax levy plus, your questions about Bloomington Forward and how the sales tax would work are answered.
In the April 12, 2023 Council Minute, Mayor Tim Busse provides information on the 2024 budget process, as well as an update on the 98th Street Study.
2024 Budget discussions at 2023 City Council meetings
Presentations and discussions on the 2024 budget process began in April 2023.
April 3, 2023: Budget Update and Discussion
- Video of budget presentation to the City Council
- Presentation slides: Budget Update and Discussion
August 21, 2023: Special meeting to discuss preliminary tax levy and general fund budget
- Video of presentation to the City Council
- Presentation slides: 2024 Preliminary Tax Levy and Budget
September 18, 2023: Approve preliminary 2024 tax levy
- Video of presentation to the City Council
- Presentation slides: 2024 Preliminary Tax Levy and Budget
October 9, 2023: Department budget discussions
- Public Safety: Video of presentations to the City Council and presentation slides (Police Department and Fire Department general fund budgets)
October 16, 2023: Department budget discussions
- Community Services: Video of presentation to the City Council and presentation slides (2024 Community Services department fund budgets)
- Utility Funds: Video of presentation to the City Council and presentation slides (2024 Utility fund budgets)
- Parks and Recreation: Video of presentation to the City Council and presentation slides (2024 Parks and Recreation department fund budgets)
October 30, 2023: Budget discussions
- Public Works: Video of presentation to the City Council and presentation slides (Public Works department fund budgets)
- Strategic Priorities Fund and One-Time Public Safety State Aid: Video of presentation to the City Council and presentation slides (Strategic Priorities and Public Safety)
November 13, 2023: Non-property tax budget requests
- Non-property tax budget requests for the following 9 funds on the consent agenda at the November 13, 2023 City Council Meeting for the Council’s approval. These funds do not receive property tax support.
- Special Revenue Funds: Fund 2700 – DWI Forfeiture; Fund 2710 – Enhanced 911; Fund 2720 – State Drug Forfeiture; Fund 2725 – Federal DOJ Drug Forfeiture; Fund 2726 – Fed. Treasury Drug Forfeiture; Fund 2300 - South Loop Revolving Dev.; Fund 2350 - Creative Placemaking; Fund 2600 – Cemetery
- Enterprise Fund: Fund 6700 – Police Contractual Overtime
- Non-property tax budget requests for the following 9 funds on the consent agenda at the November 13, 2023 City Council Meeting for the Council’s approval. These funds do not receive property tax support.
November 13, 2023: Budget discussions
- Utility funds budgets and rates discussion (continued from October) video of presentation and slides.
- Information Technology fund budget video of presentation and slides.
- Community Development fund budgets video of presentation and slides.
- Legal Department fund budgets video of presentation and slides.
November 20, 2023: Special meeting to discuss 2024 general fund budget
November 27, 2023: 2024 Utility rates public hearing
- Video of presentations to the City Council (Items 4.3-4.6)
- Presentation slides: Utility rates public hearing and fund budgets
- Utility Funds, Internal Service Funds budget resolution
December 4, 2023: Truth-in-taxation public hearing
- Video of presentation to the City Council (Item 4.1)
- Presentation slides: Truth in Taxation Public Hearing
December 4, 2023: Remaining Internal Service, Recreation Facility Enterprise, and Special Revenue Funds budgets
- Remaining Internal Service Fund budgets were approved on the consent agenda. The other five Internal Service Funds were previously presented to the Council in October and November 2023 as part of departmental budget presentations.
- Internal Service Funds: Fund 7300 – Insurance; Fund 7400 - Employee Benefits; Fund 7500 - Accrued Benefits.
- Budgets for the remaining Recreation Facility Enterprise Funds and Special Revenue Funds were approved on the consent agenda.
- Recreation Facility Enterprise Funds: Fund 6400 - Golf; Fund 6450 - Ice Garden; Fund 6500 - Center for the Arts; Fund 6550 - Aquatics.
- Special Revenue Funds: Fund 2100 - Communications; Fund 2150 - Parks & Recreation; Fund 2800 - Fire Pension.
- Remaining Internal Service Fund budgets were approved on the consent agenda. The other five Internal Service Funds were previously presented to the Council in October and November 2023 as part of departmental budget presentations.
2023 Budget discussions at 2022 City Council meetings
Presentations and discussions on the 2023 budget process began in May 2022.
May 16, 2022: 2023 Budget Update and Discussion
- Video of budget presentation to the City Council
- Presentation slides: Fire Department Staffing Plan and 2023 Budget Update and Discussion
August 22, 2022: Special meeting to discuss preliminary tax levy and general fund budget
- Video of presentation to the City Council
- Presentation slides: 2023 Preliminary Tax Levy and Budget
September 12, 2022: Approve preliminary 2023 tax levy
- Video of presentation to the City Council
- Presentation slides: 2023 Preliminary Tax Levy and Budget
October 3, 2022: Non-property tax budget requests
- Non-property tax budget requests for the following 11 funds were approved on consent at the October 3, 2022 City Council Meeting for the Council’s approval. These funds do not receive property tax support.
- Special Revenue Funds: Fund 2700 – DWI Forfeiture; Fund 2710 – Enhanced 911; Fund 2720 – State Drug Forfeiture; Fund 2725 – Federal DOJ Drug Forfeiture; Fund 2726 – Fed. Treasury Drug Forfeiture; Fund 2730 – Police Grant Activity; Fund 2150 - Park Grants; Fund 2300 - South Loop Revolving Dev.; Fund 2350 - Creative Placemaking; Fund 2600 – Cemetery; Enterprise Fund: Fund 6700 – Police Contractual Overtime
October 17, 2022: Utility fund budget requests
- Video of presentation to the City Council
- Presentation slides: 2023 Utility fund budgets (Fleet, Facilities, and Public Works General Fund budgets were moved to a future meeting due to time)
October 24, 2022: Department budget discussions
- Information Technology Department fund budget: Video of presentation to the City Council and presentation slides
- Public Safety: Video of presentation to the City Council and presentation slides (Police Department and Fire Department general fund budgets)
- Public Works Department fund budgets: Video of presentation to the City Council and presentation slides (Fleet and Facilities and Public Works General Fund)
- Legal Department fund budget: Video of presentation to the City Council and presentation slides
November 14, 2022: 2023 Utility rates public hearing
- Video of presentations to the City Council (Items 4.1-4.4)
- Presentation slides: Utility rates public hearing and fund budgets
- Utility Funds, Internal Service Funds budget resolution
November 21, 2022: Special meeting to discuss 2023 general fund budget
- Community Development fund budgets video of presentation and slides
- Parks & Recreation Department fund budgets video of presentation and slides
- Community Services Department fund budgets video of presentation and slides
- Finance Department fund budgets video of presentation and slides
- Administration Department fund budgets video of presentation and slides
- 2023 Tax Levy and Budget Discussion video of presentation and slides
December 5, 2022: Truth-in-taxation public hearing
- Video of presentation to the City Council (Item 4.1)
- Presentation slides: Truth in Taxation Public Hearing: 2023 Property Tax Levy and General Fund Budget
2024 Budget information and outreach
Throughout summer and fall 2023, staff hosted information tables seeking community feedback on the 2024 budget.
Community outreach event calendar
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Saturday, May 20, 2023, Public Works Open House
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Public Works Building, 9:00 - 11:00
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Saturday, May 20, 2023, Police Open House
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Civic Plaza Parking Lot, 11:00 - 1:00
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Monday, June 12, 2023, Brodini Magic Show
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Valley View Playfield, Picnic Pavilion, 10:00 - 12:00 (show 10:30 - 11:30)
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Thursday, June 15, 2023, Reggae Fest
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Normandale Lake Bandshell, 6:00 - 8:00 (event 6:30 - 9:30)
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Saturday, July 8, 2023, Farmer's Market
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Civic Plaza, East Parking Lot, 8:00-1:00
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Monday, July 10, 2023, Todd 'n' Tina
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Moir Park 10320 Morgan Ave S, 10:00 - 12:00 (show 10:30 - 11:30)
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Wednesday, July 19, 2023, Paul Holland Blues Band
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Midweek Music and Market Civic Plaza, 5:00 - 7:00 (event 5:00 - 8:00)
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Thursday, July 27, 2023, Latin Night with Salsa Del Soul
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Normandale Lake Bandshell, 6:00 - 8:00 (event 6:30 - 9:30)
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Sunday, July 30, 2023, Bob & the Beachcombers
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Bush Lake Beach, 4:00 - 6:00 (event 4:00 - 6:30)
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Wednesday, August 16, 2023, World Jazz Collegium
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Midweek Music and Market Civic Plaza, 5:00 - 7:00 (event 5:00 - 8:00)
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Saturday, August 26, 2023, On the One Music Festival
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Normandale Lake Bandshell, 2:00 - 4:00 (event 12:00 - 8:00)
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Saturday, September 16, 2023, Farmer's Market
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Civic Plaza, East Parking Lot, 9:00 - 11:00 (event 8:00 - 1:00)
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Saturday, October 14, 2023, Fire Open House
- Fire Station #1, 10:00 - 12:00 (event 10:00 - 1:00)
Annual budget books and budget in brief
The Budget in Brief is a 30 page summary of the Annual Budget Book. The 2024 version is coming soon!
The Annual Budget Books for the past five years are linked below. More financial reports are available at blm.mn/financialreports.
About deputy finance officer Kari Carlson
- Oversees the City's annual budget process which includes 30 individual funds. All budgets must be approved by the City Council by the end of the year.
- Leads budget public participation efforts.
- Assists departments with analysis of their current year budget requests as well as produces long-term financial models for funds to forecast future working capital balances.
- Works closely with the city manager, assistant city manager and department heads to provide options to the City Council for funding programs, initiatives, and projects as well as identifying spending areas that can be reduced along with strategies to fund future capital projects and large equipment purchases. Serves as advisor to the Executive Leadership Team on budget related matters
- Files the preliminary and final property tax levy with Hennepin County, compiles and submits annual reports to the Government Finance Officers Association, submits annual reports to the Office of the State Auditor.
- Supervises and supports the Grant Coordinator Accountant who coordinates and ensures compliance with the City's grant administration policy.
- Supervises and supports the Auditor who conducts sales tax audits of local businesses to ensure proper collection of revenues and compliance with various codes.