City Council Minutes 11-24-2025 SpecialMINUTES
MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, November 24, 2025 — 5:00 p.m.
Monticello Community Center
Present: Lloyd Hilgart, Kip Christianson, Charlotte Gabler, Tracy Hinz, and Lee Martie
Absent: None
Staff: Rachel Leonard, Sarah Rathlisberger, Matt Leonard, Angela Schumann, Tracy
Ergen, Jim Thares, Tom Pawelk, and Jennifer Schreiber
1. Call to Order
Mayor Lloyd Hilgart called the special meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. Budget/CIP
Finance Director Sarah Rathlisberger presented the proposed 2026 budget and tax levy.
She noted that staff originally presented a proposed tax levy increase of 8.6% to match
the estimated increase in tax base and retain the same tax rate as this year. However,
updated information from Wright County reduced the estimated increase in tax base to
7.2%. Therefore, an adjustment to the final tax levy was proposed if Council wished to
keep the tax rate the same for 2026.
Ms. Rathlisberger reviewed the items in the 2026 budget and highlighted the items that
were removed or adjusted following the summer budget workshops. Items removed
from the budget include the lobbyist, strategic planning facilitator, server replacement,
monopole structural analysis, West Bridge Park hardcourt resurfacing, Pointes at Cedar
landscaping grant match, downtown banner project, and the facilities maintenance
scissor lift. Ms. Rathlisberger also noted some other adjustments to the budget which
included hiring a city planner to start April 1, increases in health insurance premiums,
and other updated tax base, revenue, and expenditure information.
Ms. Rathlisberger reviewed potential scenarios for bonding for the proposed Public
Works Facility. These options included a lease revenue bond (issued by the EDA) or a CIP
bond (issued by the City). The lease revenue bond requires a public hearing but not a
reverse referendum. Both scenarios would allow for bond proceeds in July 2026. The
decision on bond selection will need to be made early in 2026 to proceed with the
project. There was minimal discussion on which option the City would prefer.
Ms. Rathlisberger then gave a preview of items to be recommended in the fee schedule
update at the next meeting. In response to the utility rates study that was completed in
2025, staff reviewed expected impacts to customers' utility bills based on 6,000 gallons
of water in a month. This could be offset slightly with a decrease in recycling service fees
City Council Special Meeting Minutes — November 24, 2025
and adjustments to the credit available for e-bills and payments by ACH. City
Administrator Rachel Leonard commented on increased fees and noted that residents
will be impacted due to the many factors of property tax levy increase, gas franchise fee,
sales tax, the school referendum, etc.
The City Council discussed the various property levy increase options but did not reach
consensus.
3. Adjournment
By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Recorder: Jennifer Schreib
Attest:
City Council Special Meeting Minutes — November 24, 2025
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