October 23, 2026 Budget Committee

The Minneapolis City Council Budget Committee met on October 23, 2026, to hear presentations on the mayor’s recommended 2027 budgets for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the Downtown Assets Fund. Parks staff described a revised budget request of 5.86% after absorbing higher healthcare costs and increasing projected non-property-tax revenue by $900,000. The recommended budget supports staffing, Upper Harbor Terminal and North Commons, youth programs, natural-area work, and revenue generation; the Park Board reported that 58.4% of its all-funds budget comes from property taxes. A concessions RFP for North Commons had been issued, and staff expect to release an RFP for a new Bde Maka Ska pavilion vendor, with the goal of having a vendor in place for spring/summer 2027. The board is also exploring sponsorships, food-truck and other vendor arrangements, and a possible Parks on Tap program, which would require state legislative changes. No budget approval or procurement award was voted on; the committee directed the clerk to file the presentations.

The Convention Center’s 2027 budget presentation described flat revenue trends and a proposed 4% increase in expenses, including a $400,000 road assessment, $1.1 million in union contract increases, and a $461,000 increase in the Meet Minneapolis contract. The budget raises PV Plaza repair and maintenance funding from about $50,000 annually to $400,000. The city is budgeting $150,000 per year, or $300,000 total, for a bid to host the Big Ten women’s volleyball tournaments in 2027 and 2028; the funds would return to the Downtown Assets Fund if the bid is unsuccessful. The current Calvert Catering contract ends in 2027, and the Convention Center general manager expects to issue a catering RFP that year for operations beginning in 2028. The committee also discussed future facility investment and downtown visitor activity; no contract award or spending motion was taken.