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Board of Estimate and Taxation approves charter resolution to add seventh member and rename body
Summary
The Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation voted to send a proposed charter amendment to the City Council that would add a seventh board member, make that member an elected public position in addition to two existing elected members, and change the board's name to better reflect its duties.
The Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation voted to adopt a proposed charter resolution asking the City Council to pursue a charter amendment that would add a seventh member to the board, make that seat an additional elected public member, and change the board's name to better reflect its current duties.
President Steve Brandt, president of the Board of Estimate and Taxation, said the amendment is "essentially threefold" and explained the measure is intended to give the board a tie-breaking number of members and to make the additional member an elected position alongside the two existing elected members. "The purpose of the amendment is essentially threefold," Brandt said, summarizing the proposal.
Commissioner Priest Benson said she supported adding another member to provide "fair and equitable representation" and described independent oversight and decision-making as increasingly important. "I speak in support, especially to adding another member," she said.
The board moved the resolution and the clerk called a roll. The transcript records the roll call with the following votes: Commissioner Frey: Aye; Commissioner Abeni: absent; Commissioner Payne: Aye; Commissioner Chugtai: Aye; Vice President Cree Stinson: Aye; President Steve Brandt: Aye. The clerk recorded "There are 5 ayes." The board did not record a named mover or seconder for the resolution in the transcript beyond a general "So moved" and "Second." The action was adopted and the board president noted he would sign the paperwork after the meeting.
The resolution follows an earlier attempt last May in which the Charter Commission declined to endorse the changes. Brandt said the alternative route is for the City Council to ask the Charter Commission to reconsider the amendment or to place the board's original proposal on a ballot if the Charter Commission again declines to assent. The transcript records the board adopting the motion to send the proposed charter resolution forward for consideration by the City Council and the Charter Commission.
Votes at a glance - Proposed charter resolution to add a seventh, elected member and rename the Board of Estimate and Taxation: Adopted (roll call recorded; 5 ayes, 1 absent).
