On December 20, 2021 the Blaine City Council approved the 2022 tax levy and general fund budget. The approved levy was $125,000 less than the preliminary levy that was approved back in September. Cities can only reduce the levy after the preliminary levy is set. The general fund budget provides for many of the services that residents expect from the City. Nearly 75 percent of the budget is devoted to public safety and public works. Blaine continues to have the lowest combined tax and utility rate costs of any full service city in Anoka County. Blaine also has the lowest combined costs when compared to other cities of a similar size in Minnesota.
New or expanded initiatives funded in the 2022 budget include: an expansion of the police K9 program, an online public data request portal, an enhanced Emerald Ash Borer mitigation initiative, and four additional police officers. Above you can view a breakdown of the general fund budget by department.
More information about the general fund budget and levy can be found on the city website at BlaineMN.gov/2022Budget.