
Wabasha City Council approved its final 2025 budget on December 3, 2024. The detailed budget, summary, and powerpoint presentation presented to Council by Tyler Grabau, Finance Director, on December 5, is linked under the budget section of the Wabasha website, here.
The City of Wabasha also reviewed its 2024 department accomplishments at its January 2025 meeting, which included major parks and public works projects, the first year of barge terminal revenues through a partnership with the Army Corps, increased number of police, fire, and EMS calls, new partnerships, outstanding programming at the library, high levels of pool attendance, over $450,000 in grants that benefited the City of Wabasha. To learn more click here: 2024 Departmental Accomplishments.
2024 Highlights:
- In 2024 the City of Wabasha completed reconstruction on Pembroke Ave. and Bridge Ave. and new paving for Market and Johnson. The two-year downtown street project invested $7,069,000 in replacing over 100-year-old sewer and water lines while providing improved pedestrian access. $1,200,000 was reimbursed through a grant. The City of Wabasha also saved over $558,766 for taxpayers by obtaining low-interest loan financing through the State of Minnesota PFA fund.
- In May 2024 was the grand opening of the Wabasha Athletic Complex. The athletic complex amenities include two new baseball and softball fields, a hockey rink, two pickleball courts, tennis court, warming house, restrooms, and concession stand. Thanks to the generosity of the community and the DNR grant, over $685,000 was raised in grants and donations towards the project.
- In August 2024 we celebrated the grand opening of the Wabasha Dog Park. The Wabasha Dog Park was fully funded by grants and donations.
- Completed a Fire Hall addition, HVAC and ventilation replacement, and re-siding, totaling $500,000. These improvements will allow the Wabasha Fire Department adequate equipment storage space and meet code for ventilation requirements.
- Emergency Management coordination for a second year in a row of flooding in Wabasha, with 13th highest crests.
- Police responded to 4,240 calls for service in 20performed 29 warrants for investigations ranging from drugs, sex assault, vehicle theft, armed robbery, burglary, fraud, theft, harboring a fugitive and fleeing.
- Wabasha Fire Department responded to 120 calls, 7 calls more than last year.
- Wabasha Ambulance Service responded to 919 calls, a 31% increase since last year.
- The Wabasha Public Library held 164 programs with attendance of 4,496.
- Port Authority lent $28,825 to Broken Paddle and Old Legion Coffee/5th Grant Boutique for business growth. They facilitated planning, re-zoning, and some grant financing for a future 50-unit downtown market rate apartment building.
- Public Works finalized a tree grant, resulting in 368 new trees planted. They also organized a touch-a-truck event, city-wide clean up, and a high school wastewater treatment plant tours.