Moorhead council consents to Clay County HRA$300,000 special benefit levy for 2026

The Moorhead City Council voted to consent to a Clay County Housing and Redevelopment Authority request for a $300,000 special benefit HRA tax levy for 2026.

Deputy director Dawn Bacon told the council the levy would be held at the same amount as the prior year and supports work to end child homelessness, preserve aging affordable housing and leverage outside dollars. "This local funding makes it possible for us to do a lot of really important work at the HRA," Bacon said. She said the HRA recently secured about $2.8 million in state dollars for renovations to Riverview Heights High Rise and Sharpview Apartments and estimated the $300,000 local investment could leverage roughly $8.5 million in additional funding.

The request was presented by Bacon and Dara Lee, executive director with Clay County HRA. Council members asked questions and offered support; Councilmember Deb White said the levy is a "minuscule" tax on taxable market value and praised the HRA's track record of leveraging local dollars. Councilmember Heather Niesmeyer thanked the HRA for serving "some of the most difficult to house" residents and encouraged continued use of all available tools.

Following the presentation and brief discussion, Councilmember Niesmeyer moved to approve the city's consent to the Clay County HRA special benefit tax levy for 2026; Councilmember White seconded. The motion passed with all members voting in favor.

The council record shows the Clay County Commission already consented on Sept. 2; Moorhead's approval was described as the city's step before the HRA seeks consent from Barnesville's council.

The council did not amend the levy amount; staff and HRA representatives said the levy equals last year's request and that local dollars are intended to help compete for and match larger state and federal housing grants.