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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2025
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VOL. 44 NO. 9 www.quadcommunitypress.com $1.00
RECOGNITIONS: Circle Pines, Lino Lakes recognize local city officials PAGES 5 & 15
Despite council trims, 2026 levy increases by 15.9% BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
LINO LAKES — A revised 2026 levy has been adopted by the Lino Lakes City Council. The newly approved levy totals $18,069,655, an increase of $2,478,575, or 15.90%, over the 2025 levy. The levy is estimated to result in a city tax rate of 43.190, an increase from the 2025 tax rate of 39.373. According to city’s Finance Director Tracy Thoma, the following adjustments were made after the adoption of the 2026 preliminary levy:
• Minnesota paid leave expenses were reduced by $48,810. Met Life will administer the program instead of the state, resulting in lower premiums. It was also determined the city would not be responsible for paying the employee portion of the premium. • Final adjustments were made to wages and benefits for recent new hires where estimates were made because actual amounts were not known. This led to a reduction of $7,824 in the final budget. In September, the council
had adopted a preliminary levy of $18,120,307, which represented an increase of $2,529,217, or 16.22%, over the 2025 levy. Key factors contributing to the 2026 levy increase include the expanded staffing and coverage in the police and fire departments, street maintenance and construction projects, wages and benefits for current personnel to protect competitiveness in recruitment and retention, and the replacement of essential capital equipment. SEE 2026 LEVY, PAGE 11
CONTRIBUTED
This graph shows the history of the city’s tax rates. According to former interim finance director Kelly Horn, the proposed 2026 levy is within the ballpark of where the city has been over the last decade.
Department of Health raises issues with sewer, well separation BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
LINO LAKES — The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has raised an issue with the separation distance between the newly installed municipal sewer and existing private water supply wells in the Pine Haven and Colonial Woods neighborhood. Monica Heil, senior vice president of municipal services at WSB, presented potential correction actions the city can take to the City Council and staff at a recent work session. Construction in both neighborhoods took place over the summer as part of the 2025 street reconstruction project. The project was initiated due to failing septic systems that did not meet compliance requirements. It created public utilities to be extended to the neighborhoods and provided an opportunity for property owners to connect to municipal utilities and forego the need to replace private well or septic systems. While the improvements were built according to approved plans and specifications, Heil said questions arose from MDH in July regarding whether the new sanitary sewer main met required separation distances from existing private wells. Heil explained that WSB and city staff sought a variance to line the sanitary sewer main. However, the MDH stated that such a variance must be requested before installation. Even though the sewer main was not yet in use, the department considered the presence of the pipe in the ground as “construction prior to applying for the variance,” and therefore denied the request.
CONTRIBUTED
Lexington welcomes Santa into town Lexington Fire and Rescue will bring Santa, Mrs. Claus and a few helpful elves around the town from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. The Centennial Food Shelf will collect food and cash donations along the different routes. They ask that food donations be left at the end of your driveway. The department will also collect new or gently used soft toys to be donated for Santa to toss out to kids during the parade. If you or your organization can donate new or gently used soft toys, drop them off at Lexington City Hall at 9180 Lexington Ave. NE.
SEE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT, PAGE 5
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