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Council sets application deadlines and reduces future Facade Improvement Program caps; motion passes 4–3
Summary
Following an Economic Development Review Committee recommendation, the council set an application deadline of June 30, 2026 for current Facade Improvement Program parameters and a phased reduction with a 12/31/2027 deadline and lower per-project caps; the motion passed 4–3.
The Minot City Council voted on Jan. 5 to set two deadlines for the Facade Improvement Program and reduce future per‑project caps after hearing a committee review and stakeholder input.
Alderman Blessum moved to set an application deadline of June 30, 2026 for the current program parameters (including current per-face and corner caps) and to create a reduced program that would close to new applications on Dec. 31, 2027 with lower caps ($30,000 per face; $50,000 per corner). Billingsley (staff) confirmed that the program’s contract timeline would remain and that approved forgivable loans include a typical one‑year completion deadline in the contract.
Council discussion touched on program effectiveness, recent property-value gains in areas that used the program, concerns about fiscal impacts, and whether the council should instead review each application case-by-case. Supporters argued the program is highly leveraged and has produced property improvements; opponents said the reductions are necessary to control public spending. The motion passed 4–3 with dissent from Janzer, Olsen and Pitner.
Council asked staff to coordinate budgeting and to bring details for applicants in the pipeline; approved applicants will continue to follow contract completion timelines.
