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The main discussion topic on the North Branch City Council agenda last week was the 2026 preliminary budget and levy action — but it took an hour and a half just to get there.  

Residents chose to talk to council about their concerns with the conditions on and around Grand Avenue and County Road 14 and Maple Street.  Now that school has opened for fall, the roads are super busy especially due to County Highway 30 (Forest Blvd) being under construction.

Police Chief Dan Meyer explained to the audience some of the measures that have been instituted in the school zone, which include lighting, crosswalk markings and equipment, trails, etc.  Chief Meyer added that the department is down in staff numbers and when he does have some hours to dedicate a car to the area;  the word gets out on social media and the poor driving behavior will die down for a time. The chief said in 2007 North Branch had 12 officers. In 2025 there are 15 in the budget and the call load has more than doubled. He has two vacant positions currently.

City Zoning and Planning Official Nate Sondrol said a grant to fund taking a fresh look at the city’s Safe Routes to School Plan is going to be utilized, to get community input on what measures are desired.  The city needs the updated plan to leverage outside funding to implement projects.

Council member Patrick Meacham commented that as one member of the council he supports working with the schools and community on whatever is identified as possible resolutions to safety concerns.

Mayor Kevin Schieber also suggested the staff check on the potential for doubling fines for offenders in that school complex area.  It may have a stronger deterrent impact.

The city and school district will get the word out for people to participate, when the Safe Routes to School Plan is formally being addressed.

In action that has no direct impact on the city levy and budget— council voted 5-0 to approve an increase in firefighter benefits upon retirement.  

The payout is at $5,300 per year of service (after 10 years when firefighters are fully vested) and this goes to $6,000 per year as of January 2026.

The firefighter relief fund is built on charitable proceeds, fundraising and the state redistributes a portion of insurance premiums collected in the fire service area.  It is well capitalized and the city’s Finance Director assured council she doesn’t foresee any scenario where the taxpayers will be called on to contribute to a pension shortfall.

Fire Department Treasurer Chad VanDyke presented data on years of service and future retirements and commented that North Branch investments have been steady.  He added the department would like to continue “incrementally”  boosting its per year payout for retiring firefighters,  and council could expect to see requests for $500 increases each of the next few years.  (The firefighter receives the amount the payout is set at when they retire.) 

The main vote on the levy and budget— which came well into the council meeting—was unanimous.  

Council agreed to set the maximum at a $7 million  levy which amounts to a 5.93 percent increase over 2025.  This is a preliminary number and may be decreased in coming weeks but may not be added onto.

North Branch has a budget estimated at $8 million plus. Additional income is received from state and federal local government aid, fees for development, permits and licenses and solar production tax among other contributions.

Mayor Schieber commented that there have been worksessions on the numbers and council and department heads have had detailed discussions about  the levy. “There are important things we are not doing,” he noted.  The city has until December to finalize the numbers for property taxes payable in 2026.  The taxation public hearing for the presentation of line items etc. is December 3 at 6:30 p.m.

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