Rochester council caps property tax levy increase at 5.9% amid call for additional cuts

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ROCHESTER — The Rochester City Council split 5-2 in voting to cap the city’s 2026 property tax levy at nearly $118.3 million on Monday. “The preliminary tax levy established is the maximum levy that can be levied for 2026,” City Administrator Alison Zelms said of the adopted limit. “We have until Dec. 1 to do better,” he said, before being joined by council member Andy Friederichs in opposing the preliminary levy. Council member Patrick Keane also pointed out the pool of taxpayers grows every year, which spreads the burden over a larger number of properties. ADVERTISEMENTAs a result, he said he watches the tax rate, which is calculated by dividing the tax levy by the city’s total tax capacity.