By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
Last Tuesday, during its work session, the Northfield City Council began discussing the tax levy increase for the upcoming year. Northfield’s tax levy is already set to increase by 8% next year due to the approval of the new Ice Arena Project.
At the work session, city staff presented an estimate of a tax levy increase of approximately 14% if all projects and equipment purchases were to be approved. The impact of that increase to a household valued at $350,000 would be an increase of $271 a year. This estimate only includes city taxes and not School District or County Taxes.
With the Ice Arena’s tax increase already approved, the council debated how much more of an increase would be feasible. Councilor Chad Beumer asked that the levy increase be kept as low as possible:
Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News
Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News
“I want to see it get as low as we could possibly get it. I agree with the mayor. Sub 10% would be fantastic, whether that’s the 100% realistic or not is yet to be determined.” – Chad Beumer, Northfield City Councilor at the 6/10/2025 Work Session Meeting
Mayor Erica Zweifel asked that the levy increase be kept under 10%. Councilor Peter Dahlen stated that he felt he had to apologize for a levy increase of over 7% or 8%. Councilor Kathleen Holmes asked that the levy be kept below the 14.5% proposal. And Councilor Brad Ness stated that he didn’t know yet. Councilor Jessica Peterson-White was not in attendance.
Councilor Davin Sokup shared a concern he had expressed during the Ice Arena debate, noting it was the reason he voted against the project:
“My biggest fear was that we were going to push important things to the back burner because of the ice arena, and I feel like that is exactly what we’re doing.” – Davin Sokup, Northfield City Councilor at the 6/10/2025 Work Session Meeting
The city is set to discuss the budget and tax levy in more depth throughout the summer. In September, state law requires local governments, including Northfield, to adopt a preliminary tax levy by the end of the month. The preliminary levy sets the maximum tax levy increase the city can adopt; the final levy increase can be lower. The City Council then adopts its final tax levy and budget in December when it holds the Truth in Taxation meeting.
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