City budget
Join us at the August 17th Study Session to learn more and provide feedback
There will be an opportunity to learn more about the 2027-2028 budget process on Monday, August 17, 6:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers at Civic Plaza, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road. Attendees will hear a presentation from Deputy Finance Officer Kari Carlson and have the opportunity to participate by providing feedback, then hear City Council discussion afterwards.
2027-2028 Budget engagement has begun
Finance staff have been at community events this spring and summer talking to residents about the 2027-2028 budget.
New this year, the City is shifting to a two-year budget cycle. This provides time for decision-makers to assess programs and services and make data-driven decisions about resource allocation. This new approach will ensure the investments being made are impactful and aligned with the community’s needs and values.
If you don’t catch the Budget Team at a community event this summer, you can still share your priorities for the 2027-2028 budget. Share comments at blm.mn/budget-engagement.
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 tax statement and home valuation notice.
2027-2028 Budget process
Each year the City Council approves a budget to fund City services such as Police, Fire, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation.
The City utilizes Priority-Based Budgeting—a government finance best practice to help:
- Evaluate all City programs based on community needs and the value they provide.
- Align resources with the Bloomington. Tomorrow. Together. strategic plan priorities.
- Make data-driven strategic decisions.
2027-2028 Budget information and outreach event calendar
Visit our staff-hosted information tables to learn about the 2027 budget process.
- Saturday, April 25, 2026, Bloomington Home Fair
- Saturday, June 14, 2026, Bloomington Pride Festival
- Saturday, June 20, 2026, Juneteenth Celebration
- Saturday, August 1, 2026, Farmer's Market
Let's Talk Bloomington comment board
Share your thoughts online at blm.mn/budgetfeedback
Video of the City Council presentation and discussions are linked below, as well as the related agenda item. To view past archived agenda materials, visit City meetings - Agendas, webcasts and documents
2027-2028 Budget Process Milestones
- June 1, 2026: Budget update
- August 17, 2026: Study session to discuss the tax levy and budget with opportunity for public comment
- September 14, 2026: City Council to set preliminary tax levy
- October 12, 2026: Internal Services Department Presentations
- October 19, 2026: External Services Department Presentations
- November 9, 2026: Utility rates public hearings (water, wastewater, storm water, solid waste)
- November 16, 2026: Study session to discuss the tax levy and budget with opportunity for public comment
- December 7, 2026: Truth-in-taxation public hearing
- December 14, 2026: City Council to approve final tax levy and budget
2026 Budget Process Milestones
- August 18, 2025: Study session to discuss the 2026 tax levy and budget
- Video of City Council meeting (Item 5.1)
- September 8, 2025: City Council to set preliminary 2026 tax levy
- Video of City Council meeting (Items 4.1 and 4.2)
- September 29, 2025: Priority Based Budgeting (PBB) Update
- Video of City Council meeting (Item 5.4)
- October 13, 2025: Budget discussions with Internal Enterprise Services and Finance
- Video of City Council meeting (Item 5.3)
- October 20, 2025: Budget discussions with Community Development, Parks and Recreation, Public Health, Public Works, and Utility Funds Budgets
- Video of City Council meeting (Item 5.4)
- October 27, 2025: Budget discussions with Fire, Police, and Legal
- Video of City Council meeting (Item 5.3)
- November 17, 2025:
- Non-property tax budget requests on the consent agenda.
- Utility rates public hearings (water, wastewater, storm water, solid waste)
- Video of City Council meeting (Items 4.3-4.6)
- November 24, 2025: Discuss 2026 property tax levy and general fund budget and opportunity for public comment
- Video of City Council meeting (Item 5.1)
- December 8, 2025:
- Truth-in-taxation public hearing (Item 4.1)
- Internal Service Fund budgets requests on the consent agenda.
- December 15, 2025:
- City Council to approve Final 2026 tax levy and budget
- Video of City Council meeting (Item 4.1)
- Budgets for the remaining Recreation Facility Enterprise Funds and Special Revenue Funds were on the consent agenda.
- City Council to approve Final 2026 tax levy and budget
Mayor’s Council Minute videos featuring the 2026 budget process
In the December 17, 2025 Council Minute, Mayor Tim Busse recaps the final 2026 tax levy and budget, provides information on the Housing and Redevelopment Authority budget and what the HRA does, and highlights the City’s legislative priorities for 2026.
In the December 10, 2025 Council Minute, Mayor Tim Busse discusses the 2026 Budget and Tax Levy including the recent Truth in Taxation Hearing, congratulates the Omar Bonderud Human Rights Award recipients, and wraps up thanking Bloomington Police for their work and bravery in a recent use-of-force incident.
In the November 26, 2025 Council Minute, Mayor Tim Busse shares highlights from a recent trade mission, provides the latest update on the 2026 budget and tax levy, congratulates Creative Placemaking for receiving an award, and celebrates a major renovation of the library at Normandale Community College.
In the October 24, 2025 Council Minute, Mayor Tim Busse welcomes new City Manager Zach Walker as he begins his role, gives an update on the 2026 budget discussions, and recaps several exciting events that recently took place in Bloomington.
In the September 10, 2025 Council Minute, Mayor Tim Busse shares the latest on the 2026 tax levy and budget, provides an update on the community health and wellness center, and calls for an action on gun violence.
In the August 18, 2025 Council Minute, Mayor Tim Busse provides an update on Monday’s study session which focused on the preliminary 2026 tax levy and general fund budget, welcomes Metro micro transit service to Bloomington and officially announces the new city manager who will arrive in October.
Budget documents
View the Annual Budget Book for fiscal year 2026. For a concise overview, view the 40-page 2026 Budget in Brief, which summarizes the Annual Budget Book.
Annual Budget Books from recent years are archived below. Additional financial reports published by the Finance Department are available at blm.mn/financialreports.
Share your input on the 2027-2028 budget! Visit Let's Talk Bloomington, the City's website for community conversations.