Finance director outlined recommended balanced-budget-model enhancements for board review ahead of Dec. 16 action: reclassify certain discretionary allocations, move from 100% to 80% compensatory distribution to create a modest district set-aside for low-compensatory sites, and move school counselors into flexible funding.

HR presented a point-in-time staffing report (Oct. 29, 2025) showing 672 total staff (629 FTE), 40 new teachers hired (70%+ with master's degrees), and a rise in multirace reporting; board members asked for retention/exit data and clarity on diversity trends.

Superintendent presented outcomes from the 2022'2025 strategic plan including modest gains in early-grade math and larger gains in eighth-grade math, higher chronic attendance and a small graduation-rate increase, then outlined lessons and priorities to inform RPS 2030.

After a Truth-in-Taxation presentation, the Richfield School Board voted to certify a final levy of $34,629,964.55 for taxes payable in 2026, citing state funding shortfalls and local revenue components that drive levy changes.

Commissioners at the Nov. 20 workshop expressed concern about recommending specific statutory maximums and questioned staff drafting of extensive DWI‑style statutory language for criminal vehicular offenses; several members urged flagging examples (e.g., conditional release) and advising the legislature to review rather than prescribing exact statutory text.

At a Nov. 20, 2025 workshop, the Sentencing Guidelines Commission reviewed draft legislative recommendations including a new severity‑9 assault offense and changes to assault and vehicular‑offense rankings; staff said adopting all proposals would reduce previously estimated bed savings from about 875 to roughly 834 beds. No formal action was taken on the recommendations.

The board approved county staff requests to advertise bids for the Justice Center and to submit building, plumbing and related permit applications to state and city plan reviewers, contingent on parcel closings and Saint Cloud annexation. Staff estimated plan review fees would not exceed $400,000 and outlined a Dec. 15 bid advert and 60‑day hold.

County staff presented a proposed 2026 budget of about $212 million (roughly $622 per capita levy rate), proposed a $1 million contingency for human‑services uncertainty, and reported a slight drop in the county tax rate. In the public hearing residents urged audits of human‑services spending, questioned election costs and property‑tax burdens, and raised concerns about immigration and local services.

Commissioners debated ways to limit a proposed airport authority tax levy and whether Stearns County should have elected representation on the airport authority's governing body. They discussed an MOU or nonvoting liaison as near‑term options and noted that adding voting county officials would require reopening the authority's enabling resolution.

Council approved issuance of housing bonds and related contract amendments for the 82-unit Beltline Station affordable housing project, with staff noting no new city cost and an anticipated construction start in January 2026 after financing closes.

Finance Director Michelle Petrick told the council the preliminary 2026 city and EDA budget is $81.2 million, including requests for seven police positions and 15 firefighter/paramedics and noting federal COPS and SAFER grants. The hearing was opened and continued to the council's next meeting for a final vote.

At a required truth-in-taxation public hearing, Finance Director Amelia Kruger outlined the 2026 budget and levy adjustments, council heard multiple residents cite steep property-tax increases, and members directed staff to prepare an amendment reducing the HRA levy by $500,000 for the Dec. 15 adoption.

The board approved transferring the county-run veteran ride program to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), instructing staff to stop accepting new rides after Dec. 1 and to cease providing rides after Jan. 1; the county noted it served 149 unique veterans (about 600–700 rides) last year and will provide handoffs and contact lists to veterans.

Judges and court coordinators told the Clay County Board of Commissioners the county’s drug, DWI and veterans courts served dozens of participants in 2025 and requested that roughly one‑third of a $30,000 allocation (about $10,000) be retained locally to pay for “recovery capital” supports such as drivers’ classes and community education.

The committee authorized a not‑to‑exceed $500,000 contract with the Link to provide prevention, survivor support and training tied to the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center, with services to begin when the center opens in 2026. Staff said the funding comes from the public safety aid pilots.

The Administration and Enterprise Oversight Committee on Dec. 1 approved a payroll ordinance, reappointed a civil service commissioner, passed a set of consent items and approved contracts for human‑trafficking services and a new 3‑1‑1 CRM. A proposed delegation on nondisclosure agreements for large events was referred back to staff after divided votes.

Dairyland Power Cooperative and Gridliance Heartland presented a proposed double-circuit transmission rebuild following the existing 161 kV corridor through southern Houston County, described the permitting timeline and easement process, and committed to further local open houses and parcel-level mapping in January.

Houston County commissioners approved a set of routine motions including a $31,327.89 Phillips Outdoor Services fencing quote (state aid requested), final acceptance of the Dunn Blacktop paving contract, extension of childcare variances from three to five months, authorization to issue an RFP for EDA services, workforce training reimbursements, a full‑time highway accounting search and appointment of Brent Parker as county coordinator/HR director.

Board members agreed to send a recommended termination resolution to partner county and SWCD boards after Olmsted County declined to include Whitewater funding in its 2026 budget; the meeting also approved audit engagement, property disposition and cost‑share payments while outlining a transition plan.

District staff described transition services for students with disabilities (Transition Plus, TAP, AWARE and Project Search), reported 7 paid and 22 unpaid work placements this year, and said Project Search has produced competitive employment for about 80% of graduates; staff proposed surveying district departments for routine tasks students could do at the district center.

After a Truth in Taxation hearing Dec. 1, the Faribault Public School District board approved the 2025 payable 2026 levy certification of $12,064,410.59. Finance staff said the total levy is down 2.22% from 2025, though some homeowners reported larger increases and one director abstained.

City finance officer Emma Rudd presented a proposed $4,978,484 preliminary levy for 2026, citing reserve replenishment, an ambulance fund levy and inflation-driven cost increases. Council and residents questioned staff raises and distribution of administrative costs; no final vote was taken.

Director of finance Bridal Finneken presented Valley View indoor-environment project bid results: apparent low bids by trade were listed, total project estimate about $18.06 million and roughly $160,614 under the preliminary budget; the board will see a recommendation and bond-sale resolution at the Dec. 9 meeting.

MAC and airport staff told the AAALAC on Nov. 20 that environmental review disagreements with the FAA are delaying a planned runway extension, and the MAC will fully fund a separate roadway paving project targeted for next year while exploring interim airfield improvements.

At its Nov. 20 AAALAC meeting in Lakeville, staff reported five noise complaints in Air Lake Airport’s third quarter — up from three the prior year — and discussed a proposed UNICOM frequency change to 123.05 with FCC timelines and a public outreach plan.