![Waite Park Officials Discuss 2021 Preliminary Budget](https://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/12/Waite-Park-City-Hall.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Waite Park Officials Discuss 2021 Preliminary Budget
WAITE PARK -- Waite Park has begun laying out the framework of their preliminary budget for next year.
During Tuesday's work session, the city council proposed an overall budget of roughly $9.3-million, which is a 7.8% increase over last year.
City Administrator Shaunna Johnson says the budget increases are a result of things such as salary increases, heavy equipment purchases and staffing, which includes adding three more police officers.
Johnson says there is some revenue to offset some of the budget increases, particularly as it relates to the COPS grant (which they were awarded this year to hire the officers) and the amphitheater (which will open in spring after being delayed by the pandemic this year).
While the city is proposing a budget increase, Waite Park's overall tax capacity rate will stay the same, if not slightly lower. However, Johnson says property owners may see an increase on their property taxes due to an increase in the valuations of their homes.
Once the preliminary budget is set it can only go down, it can't increase.
The city council will look to approve the 2021 preliminary budget, which is subject to change, by the end of September.
The final 2021 budget will need to be approved by the end of the year.
![AM 1240 WJON logo](https://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/11/attachment-wjonam-alexacard-big.jpg?w=100)
10 Animals in Minnesota That Can Predict the Weather
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Waite Park’s Family Fun Fest Kicks Off On Monday](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/06/attachment-FunFest3.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![UPDATE: Waite Park Council Approves New Generator For Public Works Bldg](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/01/attachment-DSC02021.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Waite Park Baseball/Softball Enjoying a Great Season](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2024/05/attachment-WP-10U-Girls-Champions-edit.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Waite Park Man Pleads Guilty in 2021 St. Cloud Bank Robbery](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/03/attachment-Untitled-design-1-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Aldi’s Announced It Will Close All MN Stores For 24 Hours](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/03/attachment-Aldis-in-Monticello.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Pack Up the Blue: Minnesota City Votes to Disband Police Force](http://townsquare.media/site/66/files/2024/02/attachment-david-von-diemar-jM6Y2nhsAtk-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Waite Park To Assess City Hall For Expansion](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2013/01/Waite-Park-City-Hall-A.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Etheridge & Jewel Officially Coming to The Ledge](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/01/attachment-GettyImages-1057961638-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Indulge In St. Cloud’s Newest Sensation: The Beastly Bloody](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/01/attachment-Boulder-Tap-House-Google-Maps.jpg?w=980&q=75)