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Personnel costs make up 13.3% or$144,680 of the balanced tax levy increase of$1,089,255. <br /> Public Safety <br /> 2026 budget information was received from Ramsey County and Lake Johanna Fire Department <br /> for public safety. <br /> POLICE <br /> The police contract is expected to increase by 19.0% or$334,531 for 2026. Information provided <br /> by Ramsey County on this increase is as follows: <br /> The major cost drivers include: <br /> • Competitive wages as a result of labor contracts and increased costs related to employee <br /> health insurance (i.e. increased paid parental leave, new state law for paid medical leave). <br /> The RCSO has stated that 2026 should be viewed as an adjustment year, as employee <br /> compensation was brought in line with neighboring local governments after a significant <br /> lag. <br /> • Increased costs related to county fees for insurance and administrative overhead/indirect <br /> costs. <br /> DISPATCH <br /> Dispatch costs will be increasing by 17.4% or $12,780 for 2026. <br /> FIRE <br /> The fire operating costs are expected to rise by 17.6%or$159,231 for 2026. This is mainly due to <br /> the 6 full-time captains; addition of 3 FTE's; step,COLA, and market adjustments; and an increase <br /> in repairs and maintenance, all of which Arden Hills' cost share portion is 24.4%. <br /> Public Safety makes up 46.5% of the balanced tax levy increase of$1,089,255. <br /> Recreation <br /> Rec on the Go is a recreational pilot program that started in 2025 between Mounds View and <br /> Arden Hills. The total cost in 2025 was approximately $6,000 (staffing only), which was covered <br /> by personnel savings from other recreational programs. The 2026 budget is estimated to be <br /> $8,100, which would cover both staffing and supplies/materials. <br /> Revenues <br /> There are no significant projects included in the 2026 budget which would affect the permit <br /> revenue. The permit revenue included reflects only the estimated recurring"base"amount, similar <br /> to what was included in the 2025 budget. <br /> General Fund budget to actual comparisons for the past three years is included as Attachment E. <br /> Property Tax Levy <br /> A survey was recently routed to various cities in the metro asking about proposed levy amounts <br /> being considered. Below are the results of that survey, averaging 9.4%. <br /> Little Canada 11.38% Roseville 7.8% - 13.4% <br /> Lauderdale 10.25% Shoreview 10.00% <br /> Mounds View 6% - 9% St. Anthony 6% - 16% <br /> New Brighton 8.50% Vadnais Heights 9.18% <br /> Page 3 of 7 <br />