Minneapolis police, park board give budget presentations to council members on Thursday
Members of the Minneapolis Police Department and the Park Board are giving their 2025 budget presentations to city council members on Thursday.
The Park Board has already said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s proposal, which includes a property tax increase of 8%, falls short of expectations.
Currently, the budget plan is about $1.88 billion.
As reported by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS in August, Frey’s proposal includes $17 million for the new Southside Community Safety Center, with more than $200,000 put toward staffing efforts.
MPD Chief Brian O’Hara told the committee that homicides and robberies are up, while the department is facing staffing challenges.
During police contract negotiations this summer, the city’s police department said it’s down officers by 40%.
Half a million dollars would be put aside for recruitment campaigns, and Frey said he is also asking for $1.2 million for new traffic cameras.
Meanwhile, the Parks Department has $88 million included in Frey’s proposal, which is $2 million less than requested by the Park Board.
In August, park workers went on strike, and board members said the budget proposal means staff cuts are now a real possibility.
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