Met Council tax levy is about 1.2% of overall property tax levy in the metro region This month, the Metropolitan Council adopted a draft 2026 operating budget for 2026. The proposed $1.79 billion budget funds: Wastewater collection and treatment services for 90% of the seven-county metro region’s population. Operation of Metro Transit, Metro Mobility, and other transit services that provided nearly 52 million rides in 2024. Acquisition and development of regional parks and trails. Rental housing assistance to more than 7,200 households with low incomes. Planning, grants, and technical assistance to 181 cities and seven counties in the region. The proposed regional property tax levy is $98 million, about 2% above the levy for 2025. Met Council levies are about 1.2% of the overall property tax levy in the metro area. This is roughly equivalent to $48 in property taxes for a home estimated at $300,000 (in the transit taxing communities where we provide transit services). 58% of Met Council revenues are state and federal funds More than half (58%) of the Met Council’s 2026 funding will come from state and federal sources. Of the remainder: 24% will come from transit fares and wastewater fees 6% will come from metro-area property taxes 10% will come from reserves 2% from other sources Nearly two-thirds of Met Council spending is on transportation Just less than two-thirds of the Met Council budget is spent on transportation. The remainder is for wastewater treatment; parks, research and community development (including affordable housing assistance and Livable communities funding); and regional administration. Highlights of 2026 spending include: Implementation of the new Imagine 2050 policy plans, including convening partners around regional issues. Technical and financial support for local government planning in the region, including a new direct support program for smaller communities. With three new transit lines opening in 2025 (Gold Line, B Line, E Line) and anticipation of opening the Green Line Extension in 2027, this budget reflects administrative and staff support necessary to sustain those operations. How to comment on the 2026 Met Council budget The Met Council is accepting public comments through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3. To comment on the draft budget, you may: Send an email to [email protected] Mail your comments to Public Information, Metropolitan Council Communications, at 390 N. Robert St., St. Paul, MN 55101. Call our public comment line at 651-602-1500 or (TTY) 651-291-0904. Register to comment at the public hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. by emailing [email protected] or calling 651-602-1500. Posted In: Council News