Council authorizes application for state bonding to rehabilitate water treatment plant

The International Falls City Council on Feb. 3 approved a resolution authorizing the city administrator to file an application with the Minnesota Management and Budget Office for a 2026 capital budget request to rehabilitate the city's water treatment plant.

Rob Eklund updated the council on legislative work and said Representative Scrabba is drafting legislation for the request and that city representatives have asked legislative staff to hold the bill jackets until the council approves the resolution. Eklund said, "I believe it's about $4,800,000" for the bonding request.

Eklund and councilors discussed state legislative timing and uncertainty: litigation involving state Republican leaders and the Minnesota Supreme Court has affected scheduling, and a possible special election in March could delay when the House returns. Eklund noted the governor's preliminary bonding suggestion included substantial funding for water and wastewater projects and a reduced overall capital package because of a projected budget deficit.

Councilor Holden moved the resolution, Councilor Buller seconded, and the council voted to approve the resolution. Eklund recommended coordinating visits with senators and representatives as jackets are finalized so city advocates can press the request while both legislative chambers are working.

Council members asked whether existing unspent local bonding design dollars could be reallocated to the water project; Eklund said staff would check legal and procedural constraints and follow up. The council did not specify any final bonding contract, construction schedule, or contingency funding in the resolution—it only authorized filing the application with state management and budget officials.