City Council Study Session 4/13/2026

The City Council Study Session for Rochester, MN on April 13, 2026, focused extensively on budget planning and capital improvement projects. Key procurement-related discussions included the projected 7.4% increase in the tax levy to $127 million for 2027, covering general fund services such as police, fire, parks, and library. The council reviewed the status of the 6-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), noting no additions to the sixth year during the supplemental budget process. The session also addressed the financial challenges and operating levy support for municipal golf courses, highlighting rising costs and deferred capital investments. Additionally, the council discussed the potential implementation of a natural gas franchise fee to fund environmental stewardship projects; however, the recommendation was to not pursue the fee at this time, instead proposing small pilot programs to test community support and program design. Updates on transformational capital projects, including the 6th Street Bridge and South Broadway corridor improvements, were provided with design phases nearing completion and ongoing permit negotiations. The council also deliberated on building design standards and site development plans related to Mayo Clinic's medical campus expansion, emphasizing adherence to urban design codes and community impact mitigation. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, but several action items were identified for future budget updates, pilot program development, and continued capital project planning.