Minneapolis City Council overturned Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto of the 2025 budget plan in a 9-4 vote on Thursday.

Frey vetoed the around $1.9 billion budget on Wednesday, the first Minneapolis mayor to do so. The council initially passed the budget in a 10-3 vote on Tuesday with a city record of more than 70 budget amendments passed in it.  

Every council member stuck with their initial vote except Council Member Andrea Jenkins (Ward 8).

City Council President Elliott Payne (Ward 1) said in an email statement that overriding Frey’s veto prevented a city government shutdown and ensured the city properly funded homelessness prevention, neighborhood safety and environmental justice.

“This budget is one of the most equitable and reflective of constituent needs Minneapolis has ever had,” Payne said in his statement. “This isn’t political theatre, these amendments have real impacts on people’s lives and that should never be forgotten.”

Frey said in his veto statement he recognized the significance of vetoing the city’s entire budget, but said the budget created an “untenable situation” by adding around $6.5 million in new spending and cutting $15.9 million from city departments.

“I wish vetoing this budget was a harder decision,” Frey said in his letter. “Truthfully, it wasn’t, but it was painful because it appears you have the votes to override and implement a budget that is exceedingly problematic.” 

The council’s budget approved a 6.8% property tax levy increase, a decrease from Frey’s proposed 2025 property tax levy of 8.1%. 

Frey said in an email statement the council’s budget is reckless during a time when the city needs to use its limited financial resources responsibly.

“It cuts essentials like unsheltered homelessness response and recruitment of police, then turns around and uses the money to fund pet projects,” Frey said in the statement.

Council Member Robin Wonsley (Ward 2) said in an email statement Wednesday the budget should be celebrated for lowering city taxes and investing in city priorities, and she criticized Frey’s veto as motivated more by politics than financials.

“The mayor’s veto was sent out as a press release before it was even possible as a legislative action, which suggests that the Mayor’s goals are political theater rather than anything related to governance or financial matters,” Wonsley said.

Frey’s veto comes as he is expected to officially announce his reelection campaign for Minneapolis mayor soon. The four other candidates seeking to unseat Frey unanimously criticized Frey’s budget veto.

The overturned veto officially passed the city’s 2025 budget which will be used after Jan. 1, 2025.