SUNFISH LAKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
First Calvary Baptist Church – 5495 S Robert Trail
7:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order
Mayor O’Leary called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
2. Roll Call
Present: Mayor O’Leary
Councilmembers Tom Hendrickson, Mike Hovey, Shannon Nelson,
Absent: Councilmember Claire Noble
Staff Present:
City Clerk: Christy Wilcox
City Attorney: Kori Land
City Treasurer: Char Stark
City Planner: Kim Lindquist
City Engineer: Justin Messner
Chief of Police: Brian Sturgeon
City Forester: Jim Nayes
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Approval of Agenda
Mayor O’Leary asked if there were any additions or corrections to the agenda.
Moved by Councilmember Hovey to approve the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Nelson. Motion carried (4-0).
5. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councilmember Hendrickson to approve the consent agenda as follows, seconded by Mayor O’Leary. Motion carried (4-0).
a) Approve regular meeting minutes of July 14, 2026
b) List of Bills
c) Monthly Financial Statements
d) Building Permit Report
e) City Forester Report
f) Public Safety Report
g) Engineer’s Report
h) Planner’s Report
i) Driveway Easement for 9600 Angell Road
j) Approving Non-Waiver of Statutory Tort Liability Limits
6. Comments from the Public
Forester Nayes discussed the educational meeting that will be held on Wednesday, August 26th at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the progress on the restoration of Musser Park.
7. Presentation
There are no presentations.
8. Planning Commission Items
There are no Planning Commission items.
9. New Business
a. 2027 Budget Update
Mayor O’Leary gave an update to the city’s proposed preliminary budget and proposed property tax levy increases by Dakota County and Independent School District 197. Mayor O’Leary also noted that the city is not exempt from conducting the Comprehensive Plan. Mayor O’Leary received confirmation from the League of Minnesota Cities that the Office of the State Auditor recommends cities maintain an unrestricted fund balance of 35% to 50% of general fund operating revenues, or no less than five months of regular operating expenditures, to ensure adequate cash flow and financial stability. Mayor O’Leary suggested a few options to the City Council as presented by the City Treasurer and distributed this evening. Mayor O’Leary collaborated with staff to reduce their proposed budgets.
Treasurer Stark presented the preliminary budgets with the options as outlined by Mayor O’Leary. Additionally, after discussion of the proposed preliminary budgets that will be brought forward at the September 8th meeting, an option will include the use of $300,000.00 of unrestricted funds.
The 2027 budget and setting the 2027 tax levy will be considered at the September 8th meeting.
8. Adjourn
Mayor O’Leary adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
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Christy Wilcox, City Clerk Dan O’Leary, Mayor
We are a small community proud of our heritage and committed to the preservation of our pristine, rural character. We cherish our privacy, yet know we are part of a thriving Dakota County and the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area. With these partnerships in mind, we strive to preserve that unique spirit which is Sunfish Lake, Minnesota.