Results of the MN Data Practices Act Request for State Guidance into the 2026 Budget
In December of 2026, while the Council was debating the 2026 budget, Mayor Ladd brought up the fact that the city delayed information and put up obstacles to getting the full picture until the last minute and then wanted the budget passed quickly and without a lot of questions. He also stated that City Administrator Meyer had erroneously stated that if the budget wasn't approved that evening (prior to December 31st), the city would lose monetary aid from the state. Neither she, nor anyone one on her staff had actually received any guidance to that affect from the state. I tried to verify her comment during the December 1st working session, but that video is convienently unavaliable online.
You can see the December 15th meeting here...
Click to view the meeting
Note that at 36:08 Ryan Ladd explains the difficulties that the council has had getting valid answers to real questions.
Also note that I speak at 48:57 about how the city should be approaching building our economy. Its worthy to note that throughout the entire meeting, most of the council appears dumbfounded at how to reduce taxes.
Further note that at about 53:45, (now Mayor) James Evans finishes his rambling and makes a motion to approve the 2026 budget with the provision that they come back in January to look at it again. Did that ever happen?
Email records indicate that Administator Meyer's statement were erroneous and misleading.
Click to open the emails between the state and the City Staff
In December of 2026, while the Council was debating the 2026 budget, Mayor Ladd brought up the fact that the city delayed information and put up obstacles to getting the full picture until the last minute and then wanted the budget passed quickly and without a lot of questions. He also stated that City Administrator Meyer had erroneously stated that if the budget wasn't approved that evening (prior to December 31st), the city would lose monetary aid from the state. Neither she, nor anyone one on her staff had actually received any guidance to that affect from the state. I tried to verify her comment during the December 1st working session, but that video is convienently unavaliable online.
You can see the December 15th meeting here...
Note that at 36:08 Ryan Ladd explains the difficulties that the council has had getting valid answers to real questions.
Also note that I speak at 48:57 about how the city should be approaching building our economy. Its worthy to note that throughout the entire meeting, most of the council appears dumbfounded at how to reduce taxes.
Further note that at about 53:45, (now Mayor) James Evans finishes his rambling and makes a motion to approve the 2026 budget with the provision that they come back in January to look at it again. Did that ever happen?
Email records indicate that Administator Meyer's statement were erroneous and misleading.