City Budget

The budget year coincides with the calendar year, running January through December. The budget process follows a timetable established by state law. The proposed city budget for the upcoming year is usually presented to the City Council at a workshop in September, which the public may attend. A summary of the proposed budget is available prior to the workshop at the Finance Division.

Summaries of the approved city budget for the current year can be obtained from the Finance Division. The complete 2023 adopted budget is available for review at the Finance Division or the Woodbury branch of the Washington County Library after publication.

Budget Documents

Budget Overview

The budget is composed of a number of different funds, the largest of which is the General Fund. The General Fund is the primary operating fund of the city and includes such services as police, fire, public works, community development and administration. The city's General Fund budget has grown from $10.7 million in 1995 to $47.6 million for 2023. At the same time the city's population has grown from 31,500 in 1995 to approximately 78,900 in 2022. Woodbury's tax rate, in general, is below the median for metro area cities.

The revenue to support the General Fund comes from a variety of sources, the largest of which is property taxes at approximately 70%. Other sources of revenue include permit fees from new home and business construction, charges for various services, miscellaneous revenues, and transfers from other funds.

Expenditures

On the expenditure side, 77% of the General Fund is spent on employee salaries and benefits, with the balance spent on other operating expenditures. The majority of capital expenditures are accounted for in the Capital Improvement Fund. Approximately 45% of the General Fund budget is allocated to public safety (police, fire, and emergency preparedness), 35% to public works, engineering, and parks and recreation, and 20% on general government and community development.