St. Cloud Approves $56.3 Million Enterprise Funds Budget for 2025 Without Fee Increases

(KNSI) – St. Cloud residents won’t pay higher fees for city services in 2025.

On Monday night, the city council approved the $56.3 million enterprise funds budget in a 6 to 1 vote. No one spoke during a public hearing. Council member George Hontos was the loan no vote.

The enterprise budget supports nine key areas not financed through property taxes: the Municipal Athletic Complex, the River’s Edge Convention Center, the downtown parking system, sewer, water, streetlights, garbage and recycling services.

Mayor Dave Kleis proposed no fee increases so the average resident can keep more money in their wallet. “One of the things that we constantly are talking about, and that is housing. Making sure people can stay in their homes. The one thing that we can control is property tax and fees. Folks are just trying to make it especially with inflation, we’re actually trying to keep these rates lower.”

Kleis believes passing the cost for these services onto the user instead of the property owner makes living in the city more affordable. “There has to be some cost. It’s just, should the property tax payer pay it, or should it be paid for by those who use it so it pays into the system?”

The city is increasing the budget by $3.3 million compared to 2024 without raising fees, citing growth in revenue from facilities like the convention center and parking systems.

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