Jordan City Council Approves 2026 Budgets, Tax Levy and Façade Grant; Reviews Notification Software Options
By Jan Gilmer
The Jordan City Council met on December 8, 2025, to review and approve the City’s 2026 budgets, hold the Truth in Taxation (TNT) public hearing, consider a Façade Matching Grant application, and conduct a closed session related to land acquisition.
Public Hearing: 2026 Truth in Taxation
Finance Director Morey Schaefer presented the 2025 Truth in Taxation hearing for property taxes payable in 2026, based on the proposed 2026 City budgets. Schaefer noted that each budget had previously been reviewed and discussed by the City Council and that the purpose of the presentation was to inform the public and allow for public input.
Schaefer explained that questions or challenges related to individual property valuations must be addressed with the Scott County Assessor’s Office or at the county’s Annual Equalization Hearing in the spring.
The proposed budgets reflect a 5.04% increase to both the General Fund expenditure and revenue budgets. The combined General Fund and Debt Service budgets also reflect a 5.04% increase, with the actual tax rate increasing to 59.168. Taxable market values in Jordan increased by approximately 3%.
The utilities expenditure budget is proposed to increase in 2026 due to major capital improvements, equating to approximately $4.17 per month based on 4,000 gallons of usage. The proposed 2026 utility budget reflects an 8% decrease to water rates, a 12% increase to sewer rates, and a 6% increase to storm water rates.
The final tax levy represents a 6.70% increase. Schaefer stated this is the first tax rate increase in the last four to five years.
There was no public input during the hearing.
Public Comment
Phil Mitchell, owner of Heavy Line Automotive, requested the City Council reconsider the outdoor storage ordinance in the I-1 (light industrial) zoning district. The current ordinance allows outdoor storage equal to 10% of the building’s square footage, excluding employee personal vehicles.
Mitchell stated that parking restrictions have forced him to turn away substantial business opportunities and that he is effectively limited to two vehicles for outdoor parking. He expressed concern that the restriction limits his ability to meet current business needs in Jordan and said he would like to work with the City on a solution rather than relocate his business.
Administrator’s Report
Administrator Tom Nikunen reported that Code Red, the City’s previously approved notification software, experienced a data breach. As a proactive measure, staff brought forward two alternative vendors for consideration: Everbridge and Granicus.
Jordan currently uses Granicus software for legislative updates, and Councilmember Pho had previously suggested exploring Granicus for notifications. Staff and Chief Empey have viewed a demonstration of Everbridge, which is used by the City of Belle Plaine.
Nikunen noted that Granicus is used by multiple state agencies and could potentially be expanded to include notifications for snow emergencies, newsletters, street sweeping, hydrant flushing, and other City communications. Costs would be shared across multiple departments that benefit from the service.
The annual cost for Everbridge is $5,600.70. The Granicus proposal is prorated at $4,370 per year, with adjustments at an August renewal. Both platforms offer features that would allow the City to expand communications related to events, activities, agendas, and issues in Jordan.
The City is seeking a new notification system because Scott County has decided not to renew its subscription to Code Red, which Jordan had been using through the County. The County will continue sending notifications through FEMA software.
Councilmember Whipps stated that a decision could not be made without a Granicus feature presentation. He made a motion authorizing staff to purchase a notification software subscription, up to $5,600.70 annually, after viewing a Granicus demonstration and selecting between the two vendors. The motion carried.
Councilmember Schuh asked about pursuing a reduction in City Council size from seven members to five. Nikunen explained that the change would require an ordinance and a ballot question at the next election, with implementation in 2028. Schuh requested the item be placed on a future agenda for discussion and review of potential ballot language.
Councilmember Penney asked for clarification regarding prior changes to the I-1 zoning district. Nikunen confirmed that the ordinance had been amended to allow heavy automotive uses in the district, but outdoor storage regulations were not changed.
Finance Report
Schaefer presented several resolutions and ordinances for Council consideration, including:
Resolution 12-81-2025 – 2025 Final Tax Levy, Collectable in 2026
Resolution 12-82-2025 – 2025 Final HRA Tax Levy, Collectable in 2026
Resolution 12-83-2025 – 2025 General Fund Budget for 2026
Resolution 12-84-2025 – 2026 Water, Sewer & Storm Water Utility Budgets
Resolution 12-85-2025 – 2026 EDA/HRA Budget
Second Reading of Ordinance 2025-08 – 2026 Fee Schedule
Council approved all resolutions and the ordinance. Councilmember Whipps opposed Resolution 12-82-2025, the 2025 Final HRA Tax Levy, and the 2026 EDA/HRA Budget.
Planner’s Report
City Planner Sahni Moore presented a Façade Matching Grant request for the property at 108 Creek Lane S. The applicant, Chuck Cook of Chiropractic Specialists, proposed installing a monument sign in front of the existing building. The Economic Development Authority recommended approval at its December 1, 2025 meeting.
Council approved the full grant amount of $10,000.
Councilmember Whipps asked whether digital signage is allowed in the zoning district. Nikunen confirmed the property is located in a C-3 zoning district, which allows digital signage. Moore noted that C-2 zoning has more restrictive signage standards and that the St. John’s digital sign was approved through a Conditional Use Permit.
Public Works Report
Public Works Director Scott Haas reported receiving inquiries about when outdoor ice would be ready for skating. He stated that because the ground is not yet frozen, the ice is not safe and conditions depend on colder weather.
Haas also reported that the new tool-cat has been received and is already in use. Public Works has two additional pieces of equipment available this season, and sidewalks at local schools have been cleared more quickly than in past years.
Consent Agenda
The Consent Agenda included:
Bills
Monthly Public Works Report (November)
City Council Per Diem Approval
2026 Tobacco License Renewals
Resolution 12-86-2025 – Gambling Permit for Jordan Booster Club
Resolution 12-87-2025 – Designating 2026 Polling Place
Partial Pay Application 05 and Change Order 04 for Sunset Drive Improvements
2026 2 a.m. Pickled Pig Liquor Licenses
Retail Business Registration to Sell Cannabinoid/Cannabis
Fire Officer Appointments
Mayor Fremming requested that Fire Officer Appointments be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately.
Councilmember Whipps moved to approve Consent Agenda items A through I, which passed. Councilmember Schuh moved to approve the Fire Officer Appointments, which were also approved.
Mayor and Council Comments
Mayor Fremming thanked Jordan Public Works for effective snow removal over the past several days and noted that the Dazzle Parade took place Saturday with mild temperatures and light snow. He congratulated the newly appointed fire officers: Nate Briese as Fire Chief 3, Jeff Peters as Lieutenant 1, and Nate Kochlin as Lieutenant 3.
In light of the announced shutdown of The Hub News, the Mayor expressed interest in exploring alternative ways to engage residents. Councilmember Schuh suggested TikTok as a possible option, which the Mayor responded to positively.
Councilmember Schuh also attended the Jordan Dazzle Parade and requested a future meeting to review charitable gambling policies. Nikunen said the discussion would take place in early spring after year-end information is available. Schuh also noted an upcoming SCALE meeting.
Councilmember Pho thanked staff for decorating a float and transporting councilmembers during the parade, and for addressing the Code Red issue quickly by bringing forward potential solutions.
Councilmember Penney echoed congratulations to the newly appointed fire officers.
Councilmember Whipps confirmed that City Facebook posts, along with Police and City websites, will continue providing notifications until a new notification software is implemented.
Closed Session and Land Acquisition
The Council adjourned to a closed session to discuss a property and easement acquisition at 6511 190th Street.
Following the closed session, the Council reconvened and approved Resolution 12-88-2025, accepting the appraised value of a Perpetual Roadway Easement and authorizing an offer to purchase the land. The offer will be for the appraised value, which was completed by a licensed appraiser and confirmed by another licensed appraiser.
The easement is needed for a right-of-way extension of Beaumont Avenue, a planned public corridor, along with its underlying public utilities.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 22 at 6:30 p.m.