The Crookston City Council met on Monday evening and approved the 2026 property tax levy, among other items.
2026 PROPERTY TAX LEVY APPROVED
The council unanimously approved the 2026 property tax levy. The levy will increase by 8 percent. “That provides enough funds to fund the 2026 budget. There was a shortfall this year, so that’ll help us fund that budget,” said Interim City Administrator Darin Selzler. “And it’s also just trying to find a happy medium where we’re not overtaxing, but providing enough money to fund the city budget. So the council is comfortable at 8%. It’ll definitely work moving forward, and we hope that we can just keep it low each year.”
The eight percent increase will cost a homeowner of a $150,000 house $35 more in 2026 and a home valued at $250,000 at $69 more in 2026.
The eight percent increase will bring in $4,819,065.00, combined with a special tax abatement levy of $26,000.00, the total levy will be $4,845,065.00.
CITY OF CROOKSTON 2026 BUDGET APPROVED
The council unanimously approved the 2026 budget (listed below). “It’s the same budget that was presented at the Truth and Taxation Council meeting. But again, with an 8% increase, that does leave room for any unforeseen budget shortfalls or incidentals that may come up,” said Selzler. “And as you know, that’s something that always happens. So again, it’s just kind of nice to have something to work with if something does come up.”
ACCOUNTING AND ADVISORY SERVICES WITH CLINTON LARSON ALLEN LLP
The council approved the engagement of Clifton Larson Allen LLP (CLA) to provide accounting and advisory services to the City of Crookston, focusing on financial reporting, audit preparation, internal controls, and related financial management activities. The hourly service fees will range from $100 to $275 per hour.
“Clifton Larson Allen is a company that we’ve retained for the last couple of years. They’ve helped us in the place of a financial director. They have served as an interim finance director,” said Selzler. “They also helped us with just daily reconciliations, any help that we need daily, and also for the audit prep. This contract today is, again, just retaining them on an hourly basis as needed to help us get through the 2024 audit, mainly, and then maybe any temporary services that we need, with the hope of the new finance director coming into place.”
FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN APPROVED
The council approved the state-required five-year capital improvement plan for 2026-2030. “The 2026 improvements are the same as those reflected in the 2026 budget. Many of the subsequent years will include some of the capital improvement projects that we had postponed,” said Selzler. “As we know, it’s a bit of a moving target. We hope to accomplish some of them, but we know we won’t be able to complete each one in every calendar year. It serves as a reminder for department heads and city staff of tasks that hopefully need to be addressed in the future. But again, it’s a moving target. Each year varies on how much we can accomplish.“
CROOKSTON INN LIQUOR LICENSE TEMPORARY EXTENSION
The council unanimously approved a temporary extension of a liquor license for the Crookston Inn. Liquor license holders are required to meet all statutory and City requirements for licensure, including payment of all property taxes, special assessments, and other financial obligations owed to the City on or before December 31, 2025. The Crookston Inn property taxes have not been paid and will not be paid by December 31, 2025. The Crookston Inn is in the process of being sold, and the closing of the sale has been delayed and is now anticipated to be completed within 30 to 45 days. “The council approved a 45-day temporary extension for Crookston Inn. They did approve their 2026 liquor license,” said Selzler. “That extension just allows them some extra time to work with the buyers of their property and to pay any associated fees that they would owe back to the city.”
2026 CITY OF CROOKSTON BUDGET
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FIVE-YEAR PLAN
