The City of Burnsville is committed to long-term environmental sustainability through multiple projects that help reduce greenhouse gases and energy use; protect water sources and nature; and promote the benefits of "being green.
To help with these initiatives, the City developed a Sustainability Guide Plan in 2009 that outlines 14 priority areas of sustainability best practices. The guide plan provides practical ideas, activities and strategies for the City and the community to help protect and nurture Burnsville's natural environment.
In 2019 - 2020, the City is in the process of updating its Sustainability Guide Plan to reflect current conditions, build on past achievements, and to identify goals and strategies to guide sustainability efforts in the coming years.
The City of Burnsville is recognized as a "Step 5" Minnesota GreenStep City by the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program.
Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a program designed to help cities achieve their sustainability goals. The program is based on 29 best practices – including "green" recommendations for buildings and lighting, land use, transportation, environmental management and economic and community development.
As one of 113 participating cities and tribal nations, the City of Burnsville has worked to implement best practices that result in saving money, reducing energy use, conserving resources and encouraging civic innovation in the process.
Minnesota Statue 471.701 requires that a city or county with a population of more than 15,000 must annually notify its residents of the positions and base salaries of its three highest paid employees. The City of Burnsville’s titles and salaries as of January 1, 2021 are: City Manager: $177,138; Fire Chief: $168,471; PW Director: $168,471.