BRAINERD — Lower than expected insurance rates from the League of Minnesota Cities will drive down Brainerd’s 2026 budget and levy.

City Council members heard an update during their meeting on Monday, Dec. 1, learning that the workers’ compensation insurance rates from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust decreased by 25%. The city’s estimates for the rates was a 5% increase.

Changes to the estimates for general liability insurance renewals, updated budget line items for agreements that are being finalized, and the completion of open enrollment benefit elections for 2026 have resulted in a reduction of $231,000 for next year’s levy.The council set the preliminary levy at an 8% increase over 2025 in September, but with all the adjustments, the necessary levy for a balanced bud

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