City of Minneapolis News Update: Aug. 13
Aug. 13, 2026
This newsletter provides updates on important news and information from the City of Minneapolis and partners. Find updates at minneapolismn.gov/news.
Voter turnout in Minneapolis primary election
More than 112,000 people voted in the 2026 primary election in Minneapolis, the second highest turnout in any state primary since 1968. That’s more than 40% of our registered voters weighing in.
Minneapolis has 263,562 registered voters, about 60.5% of the city’s estimated population.
Thank you to our elections staff and election judges for once again ensuring free, impartial and fair access to the ballot box. And most of all, thank you, voters, for voting.
Mayor Jacob Frey delivers 2027 Budget Address
On Aug. 12, Mayor Jacob Frey delivered his 2027 Budget Address, calling on the City Council and City leaders to work together to stabilize Minneapolis’ finances after years of crisis, rising costs and inflation.
The mayor’s proposed $2.3 billion budget includes $753 million of General Fund expenditures and an 11.3% property tax levy increase. For the median-value homeowner, this would result in about $409 more per year, or roughly $34 per month.
The proposed levy is an effort to address a more than $60 million budget gap while reducing spending by more than $20 million. Without changes to City spending and tough choices about right-sizing imbalanced budgets, the gap would have required a property tax levy increase of more than 19%.
The proposed budget reduces spending through program and contract reductions, the elimination of around 100 full-time positions, the consolidation of City operations and other efficiencies. The elimination of these positions does not necessarily equate to lay-offs; the city will explore a broad range of options including leveraging vacancies, departures and planned retirements to offset the impact of these reductions to current employees.
The budget also focuses on making City government more efficient by reducing duplication, streamlining operations and ensuring ongoing expenses are supported by ongoing revenues rather than one-time resources.
The mayor's proposed budget will now go before the Minneapolis City Council for review and consideration.
Watch or read Mayor Frey's 2027 Budget Address on our website.
See the full proposed Mayor’s 2027-28 Recommended Budget.
City Council starts process of considering the Mayor’s Recommended Budget
The Minneapolis City Council started its process of considering the Mayor’s 2027-28 Recommended Budget at its regular meeting on Thursday, Aug. 13. City Council sent it to the Budget Committee, who will now comprehensively review the spending plan and priorities over the next several months. A final budget plan must be adopted by at least seven affirmative votes and approved by the mayor before the end of the year.
Upcoming meetings
The Budget Committee consists of all 13 City Council members. This committee leads the City Council's review of the Mayor’s Recommended Budget and receives department performance reports. The next Budget Committee meeting is Aug. 24 at 1:30 p.m.
Public hearings
The public will have the opportunity to make their voices heard throughout the City Council’s budget process.
Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) sets the maximum levies for certain tax funds in the City including Municipal Building Commission, the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB). A public hearing on the levy is scheduled for Sept. 9 at 5:05 p.m. BET is expected to adopt the maximum levy at its meeting on Sept. 23 at 4 p.m.
Approximately three public hearings will take place as part of the Budget Committee. Dates and times will be announced at a later date.
The final public hearing of the budget process is known as the Truth in Taxation Hearing. It is expected to take place on Dec. 15. City Council then votes to adopt the budget after the conclusion of the public hearing.
Minneapolis Fire Department hosts “Firefighter for a Day” experience
The Minneapolis Fire Department hosted the second “Firefighter for a Day Experience” for The Arc Minnesota, an organization that supports community members with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Participants had the opportunity to suit up in traditional firefighter gear, learn about fire safety, use rescue tools and even help put out a fire.
Watch the “Firefighter for a Day Experience” highlight video on Facebook.
Learn more about the experience through these stories from local media:
- KARE11: “Minneapolis Fire Department hosts ‘Firefighter for a Day’ experience”
- CBS Minnesota: “Minneapolis Fire Department invites special guests to be crew members for a day”
Call for artists: Northside Greenway public art
The City of Minneapolis invites artists and/or artist teams to apply to create new public artworks for the Northside Greenway project. The four-mile Greenway route is from 44th Avenue N. to Fourth Avenue N. on Humboldt Avenue N. and Irving Avenue N. The Greenway will:
- Go through six distinct neighborhoods
- Connect to or be near five public schools
- Pass through or be near nine parks
- Cross several major roads and transportation corridors in North Minneapolis
Artists may apply for one or all six public art opportunities along the Greenway.
Informational meeting: 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18
Application deadline: 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14
Contact Dudley Voigt for more information or a link to the informational meeting.
Call for poets: Apply to become the next Minneapolis Poet Laureate
The City of Minneapolis and The Loft Literary Center are seeking applications for the next Minneapolis Poet Laureate. The two-year term runs from Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2028.
The Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for Minneapolis’ literary culture, using poetry to connect and engage our community. During their term, the Poet Laureate will participate in civic events, lead public poetry programming, teach classes through The Loft and develop a community-focused poetry project.
The call for poets opens Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Learn more about the Minneapolis Poet Laureate program and how to apply.
For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact City Communications.
People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850.
Para asistencia, llame al 311. Rau kev pab 311. Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 311.
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