St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter’s “no frills, no fun” budget proposal may be in line for some significant last-minute changes.

With a week to go before finalizing the city’s 2026 spending plan, the city council is debating up to 29 budget amendments aimed at unwinding planned workforce reductions at specific libraries and rec centers, as well as staving off proposed cuts to parking enforcement officers, St. Paul Fire Department’s overnight crew, legal services for immigrants and a “commercial corridors” business improvement program.

The council is looking to increase spending in those areas and others, despite the fact the city may end the year as much as $8.4 million in the red. Spending has overshot revenue this year due to a cyber security incident that cost the city $2.5 million and a $

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