HomeMy WebLinkAboutEditionEdina_July-2025_WebBY JACEY MISMASH
When Dick and Suzie Crockett moved to Edina
in 1999, the view of Bredesen Park from their
home on Schaefer Road was minimal. Much
of the 206-acre park was obscured by thickets
of buckthorn. Though the couple frequented
the park nearly every day, the sight from
their house was nothing spectacular.
“We actually put a dresser in front of the
main viewing window when we moved in,”
recalled Dick Crockett. “There wasn’t much
to see, and it kept the dresser out of the way.”
Last year, the Crocketts finally decided to
do away with the dresser.
With the start of the Bredesen Park
restoration project, particularly the large-
scale removal of buckthorn, the couple now
has a much better view of the natural beauty
just outside their bedroom window.
The project, funded by a $500,000 grant
from the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources and $50,000 from the City of
Edina, aims to restore more than 30 acres of
Bredesen Park, particularly the area adjacent
to Nine Mile Creek.
“Much of the previous work at the park
has been piecemeal and hasn’t shown to
be effective in the long term,” explained
Sustainability Specialist Matthew Gaab.
“This project allows for a more complete
approach to restoration to the park’s native
oak savanna and wetland ecosystems.”
The three-year restoration project has several
benefits, including improving downstream
water quality, removing invasive weeds,
decreasing sediment runoff and improving
habitats for endangered species such as the
Rusty Patched Bumblebee.
This project will not only improve the park’s
ecological health but enhance the view for
neighbors and community members that live
in and frequent the area.
“The health of our lakes and creeks is tied
to the health of the landscape,” said Water
Resources Manager Jessica Wilson. “Native
landscapes stabilize soils, support cleaner
air and water, provide habitat and increase
resilience in a changing climate.”
Work will continue throughout 2025 to target
invasive vegetation across the park, seed native
savanna and prairie grasses and install various
trees and shrubs.
For the Crocketts, the change to the park
was noticeable almost immediately. What
was once a dark, dense brush crawling from
tree to tree is now a wide-open lookout into
the one of Edina’s largest parks.
“I have quite a few friends who drive from
other cities just to come walk at Bredesen
with me,” said Suzie Crockett. “I love living
across from the park, and now I really get
to see all the people who visit it.”
Parkgoers and ecologists have noticed the
changes as well, with reports of native
plants such as Jack-in-the-pulpit and Marsh
Marigold blossoming at Bredesen this spring.
While the grant period for the restoration
project will come to an end in 2027, the City
is committed to caring for the park well into
the future. With a variety of control methods
available, clearing buckthorn and other
invasive species will continue to be a part
of Bredesen Park’s future.
“We happen to live across here, but the benefit
is for so many people,” said Dick Crockett.
“There’s such a wide range of people who
frequent the park— groups, individuals, parents
and children, bikers— it’s a benefit for all of us.”
Bredesen Park is located at 5901 Olinger Blvd.
For more information on the project, contact
Assistant Director of Parks & Natural Resources
Tom Swenson at TSwenson@EdinaMN.gov.
Bredesen Park Transformed from Dense Brush to Picturesque
Open Landscape
Restoration Project Improves Park Experience for Neighbors, Parkgoers and Native Species
Dick and Suzie Crockett now have a clear view of Edina’s Bredesen Park from their home. (Photo by Jason Heuer)
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov 1
POPULAR ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT PAGE 3 Edition: Edina
JULY 2025
Volume 12, Issue 7Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City
BY DEBBIE TOWNSEND
The City has extended the payback period
for a loan to the Edina Chamber of
Commerce meant to support a program
to boost small businesses.
The Chamber still owes about $469,000
of the original $650,000 loan. The
original payment period of seven years
has been extended to 15 years, at the
Chamber’s request. The City is increasing
the balance due by $5,000 to cover legal
costs to amend the loan. The Housing
& Redevelopment Authority, which
approved the loan, voted to OK the
changes at its April 10 meeting.
“We tried to keep it simple to achieve
two goals,” said Economic Development
Manager Bill Neuendorf of the loan
restructure. “One, to make sure the
loan could be repaid. And two, to make
sure that repayment did not unduly
hinder the ongoing operations and
success of the Chamber.”
BY LAUREN SIEBENALER
Every swipe of a card at a City facility
results in a 2-4% fee that comes out of
the City’s budget, adding up to hundreds
of thousands of dollars over the course
of a year. Starting in July, the City will
begin charging a 3% convenience fee for
payments made with a debit or credit card.
The first to roll out the new fee
will be the Fire Department, which
includes the Public Health Division,
South Metro Public Training Facility
and Building Inspections Division. Other
departments will follow as their systems
and processes are reconfigured.
“Every time a developer comes in and they
swipe the credit card for $20,000, the
City is responsible for 2% or more of a
fee that we get charged to accept that
payment,” explained Finance Director Pa
Thao, who headed up research on the
implementation of a convenience fee
along with Fire Chief Andrew Slama.
The loan, issued in 2022, funded the
remodel of vacant commercial space so
the Chamber could expand its services
and programs to local businesses. The
center of that was the Edina Innovation
Lab, a business accelerator program
intended to assist business owners and
entrepreneurs to adapt to ever-changing
market conditions.
The lab successfully ran several of its
“cohort groups,” which trained small-
business owners on finance, marketing,
strategic thinking and more to create
customized business plans for success.
The Chamber’s initial $200,000 private
fundraising helped launch the lab, but the
overall fundraising and participant revenue
never materialized to the level Chamber
leaders expected. The programs offered
by the lab were shut down early this year.
The loan originated from the Special
Projects and Redevelopment Capital
(SPARC) Fund, a COVID-19 pandemic-era
The Edina Fire Department is one of the
City’s departments with the largest impact.
Thao and Slama reported that in 2023, the
Fire Department had 8,928 credit card
transactions for a total of $4,939,597.
The total amount of credit card fees was
$125,501 – 2.54% of sales.
“If a contractor is going to do a project
and an escrow is required by code or
ordinance, they pay the escrow and the
City eventually refunds it,” Slama said.
“If they use a credit card, the City pays
the fees associated with that, holds
onto the payment and then returns it
to the contractor in the long run. So,
that’s one aspect where it’s truly just
a negative impact.”
Patrons who would like to avoid a 3%
fee can pay with cash or checks. The
convenience fee will be outlined on all
online payment systems and in person
with signs. City staff will also mention
the fee when helping customers in-
person or on the phone.
program to accelerate job creation and
spur private investment in businesses. The
funding came from the Southdale TIF
District 2, property taxes generated by the
shopping mall after its major remodel that
spurred business growth in the Greater
Southdale Area.
To ensure it can repay the loan, the
Chamber has trimmed some expenses and
plans to rent out unused office space and
the lab space, President Shelly Loberg told
the HRA.
“We strongly believe that the budget we
have is achievable and that we can pay
this back,” Chamber Board Member and
former Board President Paul Mooty said to
the HRA. “It is our absolute intention to
pay this debt back.”
For more information, contact
Neuendorf at bneuendorf@EdinaMN.gov
or 952-826-0407.
Slama and Thao have been researching
credit card fees over the last couple years
by checking into what other cities are doing
and checking the finance data. Earlier this
year, the Edina City Council directed the
Finance Department to expand on the
research and start implementing credit
card fees as one of the options for
decreasing the City’s budget.
After the Fire Department launches card
processing fees in July, more will follow suit.
With five different point-of-sale systems and
10 different merchant processors across the
organization, each department has its own
set of logistics to overcome before the fee
is in place City-wide.
“To remain strong financial stewards and
continue providing the quality service our
customers expect, implementing credit card
fees is a necessary response to manage
rising processing costs responsibly,” said
Assistant City Manager Ari Lenz.
For more information about the City’s
convenience fee for card purchases, contact
the Finance Department, 952-826-0366.
Loan Payment Period Extended for Chamber of Commerce
HRA Lent Money for Business Accelerator Program, But Private Fundraising Fell Short
City to Begin Charging 3% to Process Card Payments
Public Health, South Metro Public Training Facility and Building Inspections First to
Implement New Fee
2
POPULAR ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2024
City of Edina Directory
City Council
Mayor
Jim Hovland – 612-874-8551
Council Members
Kate Agnew – 952-833-9556
Carolyn Jackson – 952-833-9547
James Pierce – 952-833-9548
Julie Risser – 952-833-9557
Executive Leadership Team
City Manager
Scott Neal – 952-826-0401
Assistant City Manager
Ari Lenz – 952-826-0416
Communications Director
Jennifer Bennerotte – 952-833-9520
Community Development Director
Cary Teague – 952-826-0460
Engineering Director
Chad Millner – 952-826-0318
Finance Director
Pa Thao – 952-826-0420
Fire Chief
Andrew Slama – 952-826-0332
Human Resources Director
Kelly Curtin – 952-826-0402
I.T. Director
Ryan Browning – 952-826-0434
Parks & Recreation Director
Perry Vetter – 952-826-0430
Police Chief
Todd Milburn – 952-826-0487
Public Works Director
Brian Olson – 952-826-0311
The City of Edina reports financial year-
end results in its Annual Comprehensive
Financial Report (ACFR). This Popular
Annual Financial Report summarizes
significant data from select funds in the
Dec. 31, 2024 ACFR and is consistent with
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
For a complete review of the City’s
financial position for 2024, consult the
ACFR, available at EdinaMN.gov/Finance.
BY JACEY MISMASH
Reconstruction of a critical piece of
Edina’s utility infrastructure concluded
this year.
Construction of Edina’s new Lift Station 6
at 4400 72nd St. started in 2022 and was
completed in April 2025. The $7.6 million
project was a part of Edina’s Capital
Improvement Plan for 2021-2026.
Originally built in the 1950s, the facility
lifts wastewater from a lower elevation
pipe to a higher elevation pipe, allowing
water to flow freely with the help of
gravity. The original structure became
worn down from over 70 years of use,
prompting the City to budget for a
revamped lift station to better suit the
City’s needs.
“While all capital improvement projects
are important, those that have a vast
community service and safety impact are
especially important to the City,” said
Financial Analyst Mallory Jensvold. “Edina
prides itself on both maintaining and
enhancing existing service levels and
wellness for our community members.”
Serving the southwest part of Edina, the
station is active 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, typically pumping 1,600-
2,100 gallons of water per minute.
Designed with operations and maintenance
in mind, vehicle and pump lift access is
now inside Lift Station 6 to accommodate
maintenance needs throughout the year.
Retention basins and raingardens were
also constructed to promote stormwater
management at the site.
“The new station has additional capacity for
growth and is running well, with its odor
control system a big improvement over
the old station,” said Engineering Services
Manager Ross Bintner. Landscaping and trees
were also added to the site to better integrate
it within the South Cornelia Neighborhood.
While refurbishment of the original Lift
Station 6 was considered, estimated
expenses were more than 70% of the cost
of replacement. A remodel also did not
address the need for the additional space
to accommodate the future sewer flow
coming through the facility.
Funded by the Sanitary Utility Fund, the
project was paid for with revenue collected
from Edina residents and business owners
for water, sewer and storm services.
“By replacing and repairing these
infrastructure systems, we can keep our
service levels consistent for our residents
and business owners,” said Bintner.
For more information on the City’s utility
system, visit EdinaMN.gov/PublicWorks.
City Replaces 1950s Building With Modern Wastewater System
New Lift Station Moves Half of the City’s Wastewater
Engineering Services Manager Ross Bintner stands outside the newly constructed Lift Station 6.
(Photo by Jacey Mismash)
3City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
ANNUAL REPORT
BY KAYLA NORTHWAY
Thanks to funding from a half-cent sales
tax approved by Edina voters in November
2022, upgrades and renovations at
Edina Parks & Recreation facilities
are well underway.
Collection began on April 1, 2023, with an
estimated 54 percent of sales tax revenue
coming from people who live outside Edina
but spend money in the city, according to a
University of Minnesota study.
Sales Tax Collection
2023: $5.5 million
2024: $6.5 million
2025 (through April 2025): $2.4 million
Total to date: $14.4 million
Braemar Park
Budget for projects to be paid for
with sales tax proceeds: $8.1 million
Spent through May 2025: $2.8 million
In the past year, Braemar Park has seen
a flurry of improvements and new
amenities, including the much-anticipated
Courtney Fields playground that opened
in mid-May.
“Lots of items on the Braemar Park plan
are enhancements and repairs to existing
infrastructure, but the Courtney Fields
playground is a community-driven item
specifically serving the surrounding
neighborhood and community,” said Park
Planner Rachel Finberg.
Construction on the playground began
last fall and cost $175,000.
Other completed improvements
at Courtney Fields include lighting
upgrades, safety netting installation,
field improvements and new ADA-
compliant paths.
A new contract through 2028 with
Resource Environmental Services (RES),
a restoration company, will address
landscaping needs and invasive species
prevention. Native species will be planted
in the area.
Completed in 2024, Braemar Park’s
mountain-biking trails are maintained
by volunteers from Minnesota Offroad
Cyclists (MORC), who monitor trails,
remove hazards and maintain trail signs.
Fred Richards Park
Budget: $17.7 million
Spent through May 2025: $921,546
In April 2025, H+U Construction
was hired to manage all aspects of
construction, including quality assurance,
budget management and construction
coordination.
“We have a lot of earth to move – 18 if not
20 months of work,” said Finberg. “This is
a big project with lots of disturbances, so
it’s great to have a construction manager
on board to help us through the process.”
The complex planning and permitting
process is almost complete, with
earthwork to follow at the end of
the year.
Trails will remain open during construction
when possible.
Braemar Arena
Budget: $45.2 million
Spent through May 2025: $648,286
Hired in 2024, JLG architects provide
design services and lead community
engagement, while Owner’s
Representative The Tegra Group lead
the project team at Braemar Arena.
The entire arena has undergone an energy
efficiency assessment aimed to make
the building more sustainable and lower
operating costs.
However, due to the complexity of the
project, planning for an indoor ice rink
addition and other improvements has
taken longer than expected.
“Work at Braemar Arena has to go on
while the building is still open and useable
to the public, which makes it a little more
difficult,” Finberg said.
To keep up to date on projects
funded with Edina’s local
option sales and use tax, visit
BetterTogetherEdina.org/Parks.
Edina Parks & Recreation Projects Push Forward with
Sales-Tax Funding
Renovations are Underway at Braemar Park; Fred Richards Park and Braemar Arena
Slated for Extensive Improvements
Due to its proximity to the baseball fields, the Courtney Fields playground design had a unique
requirement: the durability and ruggedness to hold up to cleats. (Photo by Glenn Gray)
4
ANNUAL REPORT
The new Fire Station 2 at 4401 W. 76th St. has been under construction for just over a year. Many parts are
complete and work on the interior is underway. The building is scheduled to open later this year. (File Photo)
BY KATE HEIMEL
Construction on the new Fire Station 2
is underway with plans to open later
this year. The $48.1 million project is
located at 4401 W. 76th St. in the
Greater Southdale Area. It will replace
the current Fire Station 2 on York Avenue
and will provide larger spaces for staffing,
equipment and community use.
Facility Manager Derik Otten and
Community Health Administrator Jeff
Brown answered common questions
about the new station.
What is driving the cost of the new
Fire Station 2?
Otten: A large portion of the project
cost for Fire Station 2 was to procure
the land. The City reviewed several sites
that were available and determined that
the size, location and availability of the
site was ideal to service the southern half
of the city. The City paid $15.4 million for
the land.
As for the remainder of the costs, we’ve
seen an increase in costs for buildings
that serve as emergency services hubs.
This is mainly due to the construction
style, but also the fact they operate
24/7 and have staff who reside in them.
This requires the building to serve as a
garage, office space and living quarters
all at once.
How is the new Fire Station 2 being
paid for?
Otten: The City issued two bonds in
2022-2023 and 2024 to cover the costs of
the project. Another bond will be issued
over the summer. In addition to the
bonds the City used, a portion is funded
by State-issued bonds and the Edina
Conservation and Sustainability Fund
(CAS). State Bonding is $1 million. At
least $200,000 in CAS funds will be used
to maximize the building’s solar panel
system. As this is a City-operated building,
several tax rebates and exemptions also
helped limit the total cost.
What sustainable features will the
new Fire Station 2 have that might
help save money down the road?
Otten: This building is the first City facility
to be designed using our internal Green
Building Guidelines. In doing so, the design
was able to remove 90-95% of all natural
gas use from the building. The heating
and cooling systems are electrical, and
the majority of the systems are serviced
by a large geo-thermal system. On the
electrical side, a solar array will pick up a
large portion of the electrical requirements
of the building. In addition to these
provisions, the City pushed the design
team to implement passive heating and
cooling into the design.
What other features will the new
Fire Station 2 have?
Otten: While the primary purpose will be
to house part of the Fire Department, the
office space also includes room for Public
Health staff who are temporarily working
out of Fire Station 1.
The community will be able to use the
conference rooms and a meeting space
that will hold up to 100 people and is
similar in size to Council Chambers at
Edina City Hall. Plans are in the works
for how those spaces will be reserved.
How will having space at the new
Fire Station 2 allow Public Health to
accomplish things they could not do
in the past?
Brown: The new fire station is closer to
many of the businesses that we license
and inspect, as the majority of them
are in the Southdale area. It will also be
New Fire Station 2: Breakdown of Cost, Funding and Features
Staff Offer a Detailed Look Into the City’s Newest Emergency Facility
closer to more residents who may need to
access public health services, and we have
included space in the new building to allow
provision of those services in collaboration
with Bloomington Public Health. We are
hoping to provide better access to those
who need services by offering them in
Edina rather than them having to travel to
south Bloomington for access. This concept
is in very early stages and will be refined
and adapted as needs change, but the new
station will include space to implement it.
What will Public Health now be able
to offer residents with the new space?
Brown: We will be coordinating and
planning with Bloomington Public Health
to offer clinics at the station. This could
be flu shot clinics, pregnant and new
mothers’ education or consultations, or
other programs. We’ll be looking into
what can be easily set up at the new
station and how to get the word out
about available services. We’re hoping that
the Bloomington Public Health staff who
provide services to Edina residents through
contract will spend time at the new station
to get more familiar with the Edina Health
Division staff and the Fire Department
staff to encourage collaboration on
other projects. The Health Division will
be located directly off the lobby of the
building, so access for those coming to the
station in person will be easier. Residents
are welcome to stop by and visit once we
move in!
For more information
and project updates, visit
BetterTogetherEdina.org/Fire-Station-2.
5City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
BY BRITTANY BADER
The City of Edina worked on two
neighborhood roadway reconstruction
projects in 2024: Concord B & C and
Southdale B. Together, the projects include
nearly three miles of improved roadway.
What the Projects Included
•All streets were paved with asphalt
•A majority received new watermain
and water services, including
replacing fire hydrants, gate valves
and aged pipes, and adding more
hydrants where necessary
•Improvements were made to the
sanitary sewer system, including spot
trunk pipe repairs and cured-in-place
pipe liners, and replacing manhole
castings and rings
•Modifications were made to the
roadway and storm sewer to improve
drainage, including installation of
sump drain pipe where feasible
•Concrete curb and gutter were replaced
Pedestrian improvements in both projects
support the City’s transportation goals to
better connect neighborhoods and make
it easier and safer to walk or bike.
Concord B & C
•5-foot-wide concrete sidewalks on
Concord Avenue between West 64th
Street and Valley View Road and on
Wooddale Avenue between Garrison
Lane and Valley View Road
•6-foot-wide on-street concrete
walking path on Wooddale between
Nancy Lane and Garrison
•Combination of on- and off-street
5- to 8-foot-wide concrete shared-use
path on West 64th between Concord
and Rose Court
Southdale B
•5-foot-wide concrete sidewalks on
Barrie Road, Heritage Drive and West
65th Street
•Coordinated with the Southdale
B project, but funded separately
through the Pedestrian and Cyclist
Safety (PACS) Fund, more than 20
Metro Transit bus stops in southeast
Edina received new accessible
bus pads to meet Americans with
Disabilities Act standards
Project Funding
Funding is coming from a combination of
special assessments, property taxes, Utility
Funds and the PACS Fund. The Utility
Funds are supported by service fees on
City utility bills, and the PACS Fund by
franchise fees on gas and electric bills.
In 2021, the City Council approved a
phased funding model to gradually
shift the cost of the roadway portion of
neighborhood reconstruction to property
taxes by 2036, where it had historically
been funded entirely through special
assessments to property owners. For the
2024 projects, approximately 63.12% of
roadway costs are being funded through
special assessments, with 36.88% covered
by property taxes. Costs include indirect
expenses like engineering, finance and
materials testing.
Final restoration will continue in 2025. For
Concord B & C, this includes right-of-way
restoration. For Southdale B, it includes
improvements on West 65th. Assessment
hearings will be held later this year.
For more information, visit
BetterTogetherEdina.org.
ANNUAL REPORT
2024 Street Projects Improve Roads in
Concord and Southdale Neighborhoods
Nearly Three Miles Reconstructed; Sidewalks, Path Added
Watch City Council, Housing &
Redevelopment Authority and Planning Commission meetings live:
• Edina TV (Comcast Channels 813 or 16)
• Facebook.com/EdinaMN
• EdinaMN.gov/Meetings
RECURRING EVENTS
Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
Concerts, Centennial Lakes Park
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.
Concerts, Centennial Lakes Park
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-10:30 a.m.
Art Cart with the Edina Art Center,
Centennial Lakes Park
Thursdays, 3-7 p.m.
Farmers Market, Centennial Lakes Park
Thursdays starting July 10, 9 a.m.
Free Fishing Thursdays for Kids,
Centennial Lakes Park
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, July 1, 7 p.m.
Rotary “Grooves & Foods” concert,
“Mick Sterling’s A Billy Joel State of
Mind,” Centennial Lakes Park
Friday, July 4
Independence Day, City offices closed
Friday, July 4, 10 a.m.
Edina 4th of July Parade, Starts behind
City Hall
Friday, July 4, 8:30 p.m.
Concert and fireworks, Rosland Park
Wednesday, July 9, 5 p.m.
Art Together, Yorktown Park
Thursday, July 10, 11-11:30 a.m.
Online Project Talks: Vernon Avenue
& Highway 100 Interchange Project;
EdinaMN.gov/Highway100Talks
Thursday, July 10, 3 p.m.
Luce Line Brewing Tasting,
Edina Liquor – Southdale
Saturday, July 12, 9 a.m.
Pamela Park Buckthorn Chop, Pamela Park
Tuesday, July 15, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Thursday, July 17, 2-4:30 p.m.
Free Car Seat Checkup, Fire Station 1
Saturday, July 19, 3:30 p.m.
56 Brewing Tasting,
Edina Liquor – Grandview
Wednesday, July 23, 6 p.m.
Walk with the Mayor, Bredesen Park
Thursday, July 24, 7:30 a.m.
Housing & Redevelopment
Authority meeting, Edina City Hall
Thursday, July 24, 11-11:30 a.m.
Online Project Talks: Vernon Avenue
& Highway 100 Interchange Project;
EdinaMN.gov/Highway100Talks
For a complete listing of meetings
and events, visit EdinaMN.gov.
Item Funding Source Concord B & C Southdale B
Roadway Special Assessments $1,871,800 $779,800
Roadway Property Taxes $1,093,600 $455,600
Sanitary Sewer Utility Fund $872,700 $616,600
Watermain Utility Fund $2,472,300 $901,800
Storm Sewer Utility Fund $1,390,500 $1,049,200
Sidewalk PACS Fund $283,000 $269,300
Remaining
2025 Work
The remaining Southdale B work
includes costs in each funding source.Est. $418,000
Project Total:$7,983,900 $4,490,300
6
ANNUAL REPORT
Detailed in the graphs provided are the 2024
and 2023 total revenues and expenditures
for all the governmental funds. Revenues
are presented by category (e.g., Taxes) and
expenditures are presented by function
(e.g., General Government). At the end of
the current fiscal year, revenues and
expenditures totaled $97.1M and $110M,
respectively, for an overall decrease in fund
balance of $12.8M before other financing
sources (e.g., Transfers, Bonds Issued, etc.).
Revenues came in 7%, or $6.3M, higher
than 2023. The increase is mostly attributable
to increased taxes ($4,604,871), special
assessments ($1,151,953), tax-increment
collections ($1,097,489), general sales tax
($1,086,957), charges for services ($848,026)
and licenses and permits ($294,385) partially
offset by a decrease intergovernmental
($1,571,059) and other revenue ($1,150,909).
Property taxes increased as the result of an
increased general operating levy that provides
funding to continue existing service levels.
General sales tax increased due to local sales
tax. Other capital grants and contributions
increased by $6,323,597 in 2024. Charges
for services increased due to in-service
contracts for the Police Department and
a right-of-way street permit from the US
Internet Corp. project.
2024 expenditures came in 13%, or $12.9M,
more than 2023. This is attributed to a $11.8M
increase in Public Safety spending, which was
driven by more capital spending ($13.3M).
Public Works decreased $2.8M primarily due
to less capital spending. Parks & Recreation
Department spending in 2024 increased by
$5.1M, due to capital improvements. Debt
service expenditures increased $503K since
no exisiting bonds were refunded in 2024.
Governmental Funds
Governmental Fund Expenditures
2023 2024 Difference
General Government $21,903,233 $20,218,283 $1,684,950
Public Safety $31,938,035 $43,764,009 $11,825,974
Public Works $27,715,046 $24,882,110 $2,832,936
Parks & Recreation $8,071,113 $13,226,702 $5,155,589
Debt Service $7,471,875 $7,975,577 $503,702
Totals $97,099,302 $110,066,681 $12,967,379
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General
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ServiceMillionsGovernmental Fund Expenditures Comparison
2023 2024
Governmental Fund Revenues ComparisonGovernmental Fund Revenues
2023 2024 Difference
Taxes $52,297,131 $56,902,002 $4,604,871
Tax Increment Collections $2,078,687 $3,176,176 $1,097,489
General Sales Tax $5,450,871 $6,537,828 $1,086,957
Special Assessments $3,609,885 $4,761,838 $1,151,953
Licenses and Permits $5,716,734 $6,011,119 $294,385
Intergovernmental $7,718,968 $6,147,909 $1,571,059
Charges for Services $7,121,548 $7,969,574 $848,026
Other $6,823,160 $5,672,251 $1,150,909
Totals $90,816,984 $97,178,697 $6,361,713
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2023 2024
7City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
City Council to Consider Tax Abatement Bonds to Pay for
New Aquatic Center Pump Room
Nearly $9 Million in Improvements Needed to Keep Facility Operational
The City is considering financing much-
needed improvements in the Edina
Aquatic Center’s 1958 pump house.
The original pool pump house needs
to be replaced with a Code-compliant
structure with modern pumping
apparatus, filters, electrical capacity,
and surge tank reservoirs. The
deteriorating infrastructure poses
operational risks, safety concerns and
compliance issues, which could force
facility closures if left unaddressed.
Ten days before the scheduled opening
of the Edina Aquatic Center in 2021, a
mechanical failure occurred. Because the
systems are obsolete, used parts were
used as an interim solution, allowing the
facility to reopen. In 2024, the Aquatic
Center experienced ongoing electrical
spikes causing operational issues.
“Staff made temporary repairs, but has
lost confidence in our ability to maintain
an operational system without a solution,”
said Facility Manager Derik Otten. “The
Edina Aquatic Center would likely be
unable to reopen if it experiences another
mechanical failure like that of 2021.”
Over the past few years, the City’s Facilities
Division has developed plans to build a
new filter room adjacent to the current
pump house. Time is of the essence, as
delays in addressing these issues could
lead to further deterioration, higher repair
costs and potential closure of the facility.
Staff would like to begin construction this
year so the new pump house would be
complete before the 2026 season.
The City sought State bonding for the
project during the 2023 and 2025 legislative
sessions, but was unsuccessful. Municipal
bonds for recreation facilities are limited,
and it would not be possible to increase
user fees to finance the project in the
necessary timeline or without significant
increases that would affect affordability.
The Finance Department has proposed
selling Tax Abatement Bonds to pay for
the estimated $9 million project. The
bonds would be repaid from a new
citywide tax abatement levy over a 15-
year period. The levy will be limited in
an amount equivalent to the City taxes
collected from a designated abatement
area made up of more than 325 parcels
from the Aquatic Center’s neighboring
residential area.
The City Council will decide at its meeting
July 15 if tax abatement bonds should be
used to fund the project. If it is approved,
bonds will likely be sold later this year.
In other business last month, the Council:
•Approved a contract with Hennepin
County to take over assessing services
in Edina no later than July 1, 2026.
The change is estimated to reduce
City spending by approximately
$500,000 in 2026—and by $1 million
annually starting in 2027.
•Approved construction of a new
restroom near Hole 6 at Braemar
Golf Course.
•Authorized staff to apply for a grant
through the Staffing for Adequate Fire
and Emergency Response program
established by the Department of
Homeland Security and the Federal
Emergency Management Agency.
Three hundred SAFER grants will be
awarded nationally. Recipients are
expected to be selected by Aug. 18.
The Council will next meet 7 p.m.
Tuesday, July 15. For more information,
visit EdinaMN.gov.
– COMPILED BY JENNIFER BENNEROTTE
952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov8
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