St. Paul residents voiced support and concern for Mayor Melvin Carter’s proposed 7.9% property tax levy increase in the 2025 budget during Monday’s Truth in Taxation meeting.
The Truth in Taxation annual meeting was the final opportunity for residents to voice their thoughts to the council before the final vote on the 2025 budget on Dec. 11.
Previously, the St. Paul City Council expressed support for decreasing Carter’s budget by around $6 million and capping the property tax levy at 5%. However, Carter said in November cutting the proposed budget would result in shortened library hours, cuts in funding to recreation centers and the loss of 16 police officers.
St. Paul residents packed the council chambers Monday — some in support, some skeptical and others strongly against the proposed budget, the biggest source of conflict being the property tax increase.
St. Paul resident Jimmy Sande said his property tax estimate from Ramsey County went up by about 26% under the proposed budget.
“Just like everybody else, I got the bill and just about fell over,” Sande said. “It was a tough pill to swallow.”
However, Sande was also concerned about the prospect of losing more police officers if the budget is significantly cut and said the city needs to figure out a way to fund necessary services without the property tax increase.
“I think we gotta start thinking differently because what we’re doing is not working,” Sande said during public comments.
This sentiment was echoed by resident Brian Dobie who said the tax increase could force families to move out of the city.
“I’ve lived here in the city for 55 years, and you guys are trying to run me out,” Dobie said during public comments. “I believe in paying my fair share. This doesn’t work for families.”
Some residents, such as Joan Cossack, were in support of the budget due to its funding of climate change initiatives. Around $1.4 million in climate change investments are a part of the proposed budget, according to St. Paul Chief Budget Officer Jay Willms.
“Home weatherization and climate actions are enduring financial benefits that give families more protection and more agency for their lives,” Cossack said during public comments. “The city of St. Paul has the ability right now to make these important investments.”
Resident Drew Harper said it is crucial that climate action is included in next year’s budget and feels the current proposed budget does not go far enough.
“It is simply unacceptable to remove funding for climate action,” Harper said during public comments. “The most expensive action is inaction, and we will require the leadership to fund client action.”
Kelly Anderson, whose comment to the council received applause from the audience in the chambers, expressed concern for the increased property tax, adding she already pays “intensely high” taxes.
“I’m a lifelong Democrat,” Anderson said during the meeting. “I saw the property tax hike and thought it was ridiculous.”
At the end of the meeting, City Council President Mitra Jalali said the council is listening to the public’s concerns.
“I want to acknowledge what we hear very clearly at this table, the stress — the stress in all these different directions,” Jalali said. “The stress in the cost of living going up, the stress of property taxes increasing, the stress and anxiety of not having city services that actually help you through hard times.”
