Mayor’s Budget Address

Last week we attended Mayor Carter’s annual budget address.  Council President Noecker opened with a powerful reminder about trust: “Trust is at an all-time low; and yet trust is what holds our communities together.” I couldn’t agree more. Her expressed commitment, on behalf of the City Council, was clear: to work collaboratively with the Mayor to deliver a budget that is “responsible and responsive, effective and efficient.”
 
Mayor Carter’s address reaffirmed his top priority - public safety - and his most urgent priority - downtown revitalization. Both are essential for restoring confidence and navigating the current property tax challenges. Encouragingly, crime trends show improvement, but public safety investments must remain central to the budget discussion. Just as importantly, the Mayor emphasized that Saint Paul’s future depends on growth.
 
I look forward to reviewing the budget details of the proposed 5.3% property tax levy increase, to see how these priorities translate into specific investments for our city’s future.  
 
See you in the trenches,
B

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Chamber Check-in 9/09/25