SCC Item 5. City Council Discussion TopicsTO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Adam Flaherty, City Administrator/Finance Director
DATE: July 14, 2025
SUBJECT: City Council Discussion Topics
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
I have developed a brief memorandum to serve as an outline to several topics warranting City Council discussion.
Proposed Budget Calendar
City staff have developed a budget calendar that outlines several meetings to provide review opportunities for the 2026
budgets and property tax levy. The schedule will be reviewed with the City Council to determine if any additional
meetings should be included and to set certain milestone dates to effectively navigate the process.
Staff will review the results of the meeting poll, which unfortunately had no dates of alignment for the entire City
Council, and discussion will take place to determine when the budget review meetings can be scheduled.
Minnesota Statute §13D.02
During the 2025 Legislative Session, there were amendments to this statute. The revised language is attached to this
memorandum and will serve as a discussion topic.
City Council Handbook
This was reviewed by the City Council in February 2025. City staff have been able to edit the document based on
feedback received during that review. The aforementioned Statute revision is a possible item to incorporate within this
document, pending the discussion. Otherwise, this document is ready for additional City Council review and possible
consideration of adoption. City staff are looking for feedback on when the City Council would like to review.
City Council Compensation
This was reviewed by the City Council in February 2025. City staff have been able to draft proposed revisions to City
Code Title 1, Chapter 7, Section 1 based on the feedback received during that review. City staff are looking for feedback
on when the City Council would like to review.
Strategic Planning
This was discussed by the City Council in February 2025. City staff received feedback to find a consultant to provide a
facilitated strategic planning session, with the desire to seek a fresh perspective from the past consultant. City staff have
been able to talk with two firms capable of facilitating this planning effort, however, both proposals were in excess of
the 2025 budgeted amount. City staff are looking for feedback on whether to proceed, or to shelf this process for 2025.
Minnesota Paid Leave
City staff will provide a brief introduction to raise awareness of this mandatory program that becomes effective in
January 2026.
SCC Item 5.
City of Otsego
2026 Budget Process
Proposed City Council Meetings
Meeting Meeting Actions
Date Type Objectives Needed
August (TBD) N/A Distribute Draft General Fund Budget None
August 11 Special Debt Service & Special Revenue Funds Review Direction to Staff
August (TBD) Special General Fund Review Direction to Staff
August 25 Special Capital Project Funds Review Direction to Staff
September 8 Special Additional Tax Levy & General Fund Review (if necessary) Direction to Staff
September 22 Regular Adopt Preliminary Tax Levy Resolution
October 13 Special Capital Improvement Plan - Final Review Direction to Staff
October 27 Special Utility Operating & Capital Budgets Direction to Staff
November 24 Special Truth-In-Taxation Presenation & Public Input Process None
Adopt Final Property Tax Levy
Adopt Final Budgets
Adopte Capital Improvement PlanDecember 8 Regular Resolutions
Y:\Budget\2026\2026 Budget Calendar 2026 CC