MINNEAPOLIS — The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul both passed their budget proposals Wednesday evening. Here's how their budgets break down:
The Minneapolis 2020 budget totals about $1.5 billion and includes a nearly 7% increase in the property tax levy, which is the biggest increase in a decade. That translates to a $109 increase on city taxes for a median value home.
The budget also sets aside $31 million for a number of affordable housing investments.
But it's the public safety investments that are most contentious.
The mayor compromised on a plan to add more officers, calling for recruitment and training of three police cadet classes, while giving nearly $3 million for violence prevention programs that focus on community approaches to reduce domestic violence and street crime.
Over in St. Paul, the approved 2020 budget totals $636 million and includes a nearly 6% increase in the property tax levy, which is actually the smallest increase in four years, but it will still result in a $91 increase in city taxes and fees for a median value home. That increase will fund nearly $43 million in road and sidewalk repairs.
It also includes new money to help combat a surge in homicides.
After a series of community meetings last month, the city committed an additional $1.5 million for a community-first public safety approach that provides funding for gun violence prevention programs, rec center and other after school programs for kids and community ambassadors.