St. Cloud proposes $81.7 million budget for 2027

St. Cloud Mayor Jake Anderson has presented a preliminary $81.7 million budget proposal for 2027. The plan includes a total tax rate increase of 6.44 percent, which combines a 3.75 percent tax rate increase with a 2.69 percent increase from a voter-approved fire referendum.

Under the proposal, the total levy increase is projected at 11.9 percent. For a median-priced home valued at $252,700, this would result in an annual tax increase of $146, or approximately $12.17 per month. The Mayor noted that this proposed increase is lower than the $330 increase seen in 2026.

The budget allocates approximately $67.7 million to personnel and includes plans to hire two new full-time employees, four part-time employees, and 17 new full-time firefighters to support the opening of Fire Station 6. A public hearing regarding the preliminary tax levy and general fund budget is scheduled for August 31st, with final approval required by the end of December.