Hello Chanhassen Residents,
This will be the final message of 2025 as we held our final City Council meeting of the year on Monday. Over the next few weeks, I will take time to reflect on the past year and begin preparing for great things in 2026.
Budget Final Approval
On Monday, City Council approved the 2026 budget, 5-year Capital Improvement Plan, Fee Schedule and final levy. Here are some key takeaways:
- We achieved a balanced budget. Budgeted revenues for the General Fund total $16,924,270, equal to the budgeted expenditures total of $16,924,270. The final General Fund levy increase is 6.9%.
- The Cost Of Living Adjustment for 2026 is 3.0% and eligible employees will receive step adjustments.
- The policing contract with Carver County is increasing by $153,492 over 2025 to $2,658,741.
- Enterprise Funds — water, sewer and storm water — incorporate the utility rate increases:
- The final levy had a property tax increase of 6.9%, which was a $35,000 reduction from the preliminary levy or 7.2% increase. The below chart explains how this will affect residents based on the market value of their homes:
 And, finally, the below pie chart gives a good breakdown of the city's expenditures on city services:
Community Center
On December 8, the City Council reviewed the most updated budget and architectural plans. At $80.1 million, we were pleased to see we are within reach of the $80 million set budget. The updated renderings are starting to bring the project to life, which is exciting. The next couple of months are important in finalizing decisions to meet the goal of opening by spring of 2028. We want your feedback, so we are hosting an Open House on January 7, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the Chanhassen Rec Center (and you can also take the virtual tour). We look forward to hearing from you.
Legislative Priorities
The City Council establishes annual legislative priorities that are shared with our representatives in the Minnesota State Legislature — Senator Julia Coleman and Representative Lucy Rehm — to help guide the impact that state decisions have on local government. The legislative priorities for 2026 are:
- Transportation
- State Bonding Request: Chanhassen Bluffs Community Center
- Building Fees
- Support Suburban Transit Agencies
- Unfunded Mandates
- Local Governance & Restriction on Local Government Budgets
- Environmental
- Water Resources Protection Funding
- Fiscal Disparities
- E-moto & E-bikes
For more details, click here.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Thank you for the emails with both questions and comments regarding the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Chanhassen. To be clear, the operations are federal; keeping the peace and public safety is the function of our partner, the Carver County Sheriff’s Office. It’s important to note that the city does not have a role in these federal operations. I addressed this topic during the City Council meeting on Monday.
While I remain steadfast that the city should only engage in matters within its legal authority and oversight, I recognize that this issue is important to residents who hold a wide range of sincerely held views. As I have said on other matters that do not fall under the city’s purview, I encourage residents to respectfully share their perspectives with the elected officials and institutions that have jurisdiction.
Thank You
Thank you, Chanhassen, for a remarkable year. I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a very joyous holiday season. I look forward to reconnecting and reengaging in the new year.
Warmest regards,
Elise Ryan
eryan@chanhassenmn.gov
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