• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Subscribe
Program Guide
Watch Live

CCX Media

Skip NavigationMenu
  • News
    • Close
        • CCX News
          • CCX News Home
          • News Stories
            • CCX Daily Newscast
          • CCX Media Schools
        • Feature Segments

          • Business Matters
          • School Spotlight
          • Standout Student
          • Weekend Showcase
          • Newsmakers
        • News Tip

          Send us a story idea or news tip!
          Facebook Instagram Twitter
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
        • Apple News
    • Close
  • Sports
    • Close
        • CCX Sports
          • CCX Sports Home
          • Sports Tips
          • Hall of Fame
          • Upcoming Event Coverage
          • Play of the Week
        • Sports Coverage

          Adapted SportsAdditional SportsBaseballBasketballFootball
          GymnasticsHockeyLacrosseSoccerSoftball
          Swimming & DivingTennisTrack & FieldVolleyballWrestling
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter Instagram
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
          Shop/Order
    • Close
  • Cities
    • Close
        • CCX Cities
          • CCX Cities Home
          • Cities Stories
          • In The Community
          • Our Town’s Story
          • Community Resources
          • CCX Media Schools
          • City Meetings
        • Your City

          Brooklyn Center Local News and Events
          Brooklyn Park MN Local News and Events
          Crystal
          Golden Valley
          Maple Grove
          New Hope
          Osseo
          Plymouth
          Robbinsdale
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
    • Close
  • Create
    • Close
        • CCX Create
          • CCX Create Home
          • Channels
          • Resources
          • Meet The Create Team
          • CCX Create Virtual Tour
        • Get Creative

          • Launch Your Creative Vision with CCX Create
          • Free Classes
          • Contact Us
          • Polka Spotlight
          • Diversity Minute
        • RueShare

          • Member Login
          • Member Guide
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter Instagram
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
    • Close
  • Subscribe
  • Program guide
  • Watch Live

Brooklyn Park Budget Awaits Final Vote, City Proposes 0.15% Tax Levy Increase

4:44 PM | Thursday, November 19, 2020

The Brooklyn Park City Council will have one final vote on its budget, scheduled for Dec. 7, that comes close to a 0% tax levy increase. One question that remains though is how much recommendations for police reform will cost.

The proposed tax levy increase would be 0.15% for the city’s proposed budget of $54.9. The budget was trimmed from $56.3 million, which was originally proposed nearly two months ago. City council members received an updated budget presentation on Nov. 16.

Some council members expressed satisfaction that residents would face minimal increases or have decreases to their property taxes, which make up 81% of the city’s budget.

“I think this is a good year to tighten our belts and maybe refocus the year afterwards when maybe we’re back on our feet again,” said Brooklyn Park City Council member Terry Parks. “With all the losses of businesses, the losses of restaurants, I’m concerned about raising any taxes whatsoever.”

Brooklyn Park Budget Staffs All Fire Stations, Hires Police Officers

The budget includes funding for 106 police officers out of an authorized force of 107. The city had been about six or seven officers short this past summer, but five new hires from its cadet program are expected to be ready for duty in early 2021.

There’s also funding to staff all four of its fire stations come spring. Having one of its stations not staffed has been a contentious issue among some council members who previously raised concerns that parts of the city didn’t have proper fire coverage.

However, to come up with a nearly 0% increase, difficult decisions had to be made. The city will eliminate or not fill nearly 10 full-time positions, saving $1 million. The cuts also include reducing seasonal staff, saving about $179,000. City finance officials say the cuts will include reductions to its communications staff. Cuts will also push back the schedule for street and parks maintenance.

Brooklyn Park Central Fire Station

All four Brooklyn Park fire stations will be staffed in 2021.

Funding Uncertainty for Police Reform

The budget did not include additional dollars for police reform. Brooklyn Park City Council member Susan Pha wanted to see some sort of allocation for that in the budget.

“I don’t know what that amount will be, but I think that is an essential part of our work that will be happening in 2021,” said Pha.

However, the city can still shift around funds to pay for recommendations made by the city’s Human Rights Commission and Multicultural Advisory Committee. Brooklyn Park City Manager Jay Stroebel said staff will come back to the city council on Nov. 30 with cost estimates for recommendations that would need funding. 

The budget also includes funding for a diversity equity inclusion coordinator, which could work with the Human Rights Commission and potentially on police reform. Brooklyn Park Mayor Jeff Lunde said he wants that position to stay focused on economic development to work with small businesses that face barriers.

“I really would like to see it focused more,” said Lunde. “It just seems like we could end up with this position that gets their hands into everything and then actually gets nothing done.”

 

Sponsored
Corey Bork, reporting

Brooklyn Park

Related Stories

Twins Fantasy Camp a Home Run for Adaptive Athletes:  Young baseball fans got a chance to play ball… Read More
Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park Partner on Juneteenth Celebration:  For the first time, Brooklyn Park… Read More
Hindu Temple in Brooklyn Center Plans Move to Brooklyn Park:  Brooklyn Park could soon be home to a… Read More
Brooklyn Park Police Reel in Positive Connections with Youth at Fishing Pond:  At the Brooklyn Park… Read More
A Closer Look at Proposed Freeway Conversion for Hwy. 252:  Some crucial decisions are on the horizon… Read More
Suspect Arrested After Multiple Gunshots Fired Near Brooklyn Park Home:  A Brooklyn Park man was… Read More

Footer

NAVIGATE

  • CCX Media
  • NEWS
  • SPORTS
  • CITIES
  • CREATE
  • Job Opportunities
  • Meet the CCX Media Team
  • ABOUT CCX MEDIA
  • Annual Programming Reports
  • CABLE COMMISSION

SUBSCRIBE

Get email updates for daily story previews. “Week in Review” video links, and programming previews.

Subscribe Today

CONNECT

HAVE A NEWS TIP? CALL OUR TIPLINE AT:  763-533-1710
Send us story ideas and comments!
Get in touch with us
  CCX MEDIA     SPORTS
 NEWS                SPORTS
SPORTS.           SHOP/ORDER

LOCATION

CCX Media
6900 Winnetka Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

Main Phone:  763-533-8196

CCX Media serves the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, including Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.
Copyright © 2025 CCXMedia | All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement
Web Design and Development by CEL Marketing PR Design and BizzyWeb | Log in