Blaine EDA adopts $1.15 million property tax levy for 2025 after brief debate over allocations

The City of Blaine Economic Development Authority on Dec. 16 approved a $1,150,000 property tax levy for 2025 after a staff presentation and short discussion about how levy proceeds are allocated.

Director Zimmerman introduced the item as a follow-up to the EDA’s Sept. 16 discussion of a proposed maximum levy. "This item is a follow-up, from September 16th, at which time the EDA established the proposed or maximum property tax levy for 2025," Zimmerman said, and he introduced Nikki to provide background before the council considered a resolution to adopt a final levy.

Nikki, the staff presenter, summarized the EDA’s role and local economic context, noting "about some of Blaine's businesses, there's approximately 1400 businesses in the city of Blaine" and that the EDA had roughly $675,000 in operations cash as of October 2024. She recommended increasing the 2025 levy to $1,150,000 and dedicating $150,000 of that increase to capital investments and strategic development.

Commissioner Robertson moved to adopt the presented levy, and Commissioner Newland seconded. During discussion, Commissioner Missolia said she supported the goal of using levy proceeds for development but raised concerns about budget presentation and allocation. "When you look in here, you know, we're saying we're increasing the levy a $150,000 for capital investments and strategic development. But when you look in what the, the money is actually going to, that's not what the money is going to," Missolia said, and she moved to amend the budget to redirect $250,000 of general fund administration fees toward strategic property development.

The clerk and chair noted there was no second for the proposed amendment, so it did not proceed. Commissioners discussed whether the matter would be better addressed through the budget subcommittee to analyze impacts if funds were reallocated. Commissioner Larson said she opposed raising the levy this year, citing community financial strain.

Director Zimmerman clarified that detailed line-item budgets had not been provided previously and said he had emailed links with additional information in response to the request for more detail.

Commissioner Robertson renewed her motion to adopt the levy, and the EDA approved it by voice vote; the chair announced the motion prevailed. The transcript records the approval by voice vote and does not record individual roll-call votes.

With no further business, the EDA adjourned the meeting.

The EDA packet and staff links provided during the meeting contain the detailed fund summaries and attachments referenced by commissioners.