Detroit Lakes Mayor Matt Brenk released his State of the City report for 2025 and says it was a strong year, driven largely by planning and design work for several major construction projects. As a result, starting in 2026, Detroit Lakes will move forward on West Lake Drive Phase Three, a new city pavilion, improvements to the city beach and city park, and upgrades at Washington Ballpark — a combined investment of more than 33-million dollars, most of it not funded by property taxes.
Mayor Brenk said the city remains financially stable and continues to have one of the lowest tax rates in the region. Revenue from the municipal liquor store, the electric utility, and the local food and beverage tax helps keep property taxes down.
A new half-cent local sales tax that began in April 2025 is expected to generate about 17-million dollars over the next 12 years for park and pavilion projects.
Commercial and multi-family building activity reached its highest level since 2018, and over the past 12 years Detroit Lakes has added 421 new homes. Among the 2025 accomplishments were completion of the Heartland Trail connection to Frazee and a new trailhead funded by a 400-thousand-dollar MnDOT grant, the awarding of bids for the Washington Ballpark project, upgrades at Detroit Mountain, airport improvements, and utility work at Southwood Shores and Lynnview Estates.
In public safety, the Detroit Lakes Police Department handled more than 13-thousand calls, and the Fire Department responded to roughly 250 calls last year.
Construction also continued on the city’s new 1.5-million-gallon water tower, which is scheduled for completion in 2026, with demolition of the old tower planned later in the year.
Mayor Brenk said he is honored to serve as mayor and expects another productive year ahead in 2026.
Story by Karen Downing