October 14, 2026 - Budget Committee Meeting

The City of Saint Paul Budget Committee met on October 14, 2026, to review proposed 2027 budgets, primarily for the Office of Financial Services (OFS), debt and sales-tax accounts, the Capital Improvement Budget (CIB), and general government accounts. OFS described a proposed 0.5% levy for deferred maintenance of city facilities, supporting projects such as roofs, heating and ventilation, windows, and doors, as well as two positions to administer and track the work. The presentation also noted a $3 million investment in 22 solid-waste fleet vehicles and equipment, $8.5 million in congressionally directed spending secured by the city, and proposed funding for payroll administration, treasury staffing, and climate initiatives. The committee discussed the EV car-share program’s operator shutdown and the need to secure city-owned vehicles while evaluating alternatives; members requested an estimate of future costs and a breakdown of the proposed roughly $590,000 in 2027 car-share funding. Climate funds would be tracked in a separate line item within Fund 211, with grant matching among their intended uses. No contract awards or procurement votes were reported.

The treasurer reviewed $686.84 million in outstanding city debt and planned financing, including proposed $40 million in 2027 revenue bonds for the Roy Wilkins project, with debt service to be paid from sales-tax revenues. CIB staff described a proposed $2.5 million shift from the Hayden Heights library project to Riverview after outside funding was secured, and discussed annual capital programs and community proposals; members requested follow-up information on past spending and project status. General government budget items included added funding for public-safety vehicles and proposed virtual CISO and grant-management software components, but no vendor selection was presented. The committee also discussed how to coordinate the proposed $1 million opioid-settlement allocation with Ramsey County and community partners. No motions or votes were recorded; follow-up items included EV-program financial projections, opioid-fund allocation details, and CIB budget-to-actual information.