2026 Budget Address
Mayor Carter delivers his 2026 Budget Address at Allianz Field
Upcoming Events
Mayor Melvin Carter
Melvin Carter is the 46th, and first African-American mayor of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota’s Capital City.
A fifth-generation Saint Paul resident, Mayor Carter leads with an unapologetic equity agenda. Since taking office in 2018, his accomplishments include raising the city’s minimum wage to $15/hour; tripling free programs in rec centers; eliminating late fines in public libraries; reestablishing an Affordable Housing Trust Fund; expanding immigrant & refugee support resources, and launching an Office of Financial Empowerment. One signature initiative is CollegeBound Saint Paul, Mayor Carter’s plan to start every child born in the city with a $50 College Savings Account, starting January 1, 2020.
City Council
As the legislative body, the City Council is responsible for setting City policy through ordinances and resolutions. The Council also has sole responsibility for adopting the City’s budget. The Council legislates by passing Ordinances which become City laws. The Council also makes performance auditing decisions and monitors the operation and performance of city agencies and holds regular oversight hearings on city departments to determine how programs are working and whether budgeted funds are being spent well. In its decision-making roles, the City Council actively involves the public through its weekly public meetings.
Latest News
Featured News
Mayor Carter to Declare State of Emergency in Response to Digital Security Incident
City of Saint Paul working with local, state, and federal partners to assess and mitigate disruptions in operations and internal systems
Read MoreMayor Carter Delivers 2026 Budget Address at Allianz Field (Remarks and Video)
In his 2026 Budget Address, Mayor Melvin Carter laid out a bold vision for a secure, sustainable, and inclusive Saint Paul—highlighting historic drops in violent crime, major housing and downtown investments, a strengthened opioid response, and continued cybersecurity recovery following this summer’s digital attack. Delivered from the transformative United Village development, the speech emphasized community-first values, fiscal discipline, and long-term growth—framing the $887 million budget as a blueprint to “build forward” with equity, resilience, and shared prosperity.
Read MoreGrand opening of Pedro Park brings new life to downtown Saint Paul
Vibrant green space brings energy, connection, and gathering opportunities designed with and for the community
Read MoreMayor Carter’s 2026 Budget Targets Housing, Downtown Revitalization, and Community Wellness
City to advance new gun ordinance while community-first public safety adds fentanyl and opioid response to priorities
Read MoreHalloween & Fall Events
Join Saint Paul Parks and Recreation this fall for cozy bonfires, spooky Halloween parties, and other fun neighborhood events.
Read More