The Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation convened Jan. 14 for its annual organizational meeting and elected Commissioner Steve Brandt president and Commissioner Harris Bernstein vice president, following roll-call votes by members in attendance.

Ken Daylor of the Minneapolis City Clerk's Office opened the meeting, confirmed that the agenda was posted on the city's legislative information management system (lims.minneapolismn.gov), and explained the election procedure under the board’s bylaws. The floor was opened for nominations; a member nominated Commissioner Steve Brandt for president and the nominating period was closed. The clerk called the roll on the nomination; Brandt, Bernstein, Frey, Olson and Payne recorded “aye.” The clerk announced that the motion carried and Commissioner Brandt was elected president.

The board then opened nominations for vice president. Commissioner Payne nominated Commissioner Harris Bernstein. The clerk called another roll; the same five members recorded “aye,” and the clerk announced that Commissioner Bernstein was elected vice president.

Later in the agenda the board reviewed its bylaws (the meeting record references section 3.2) and, after a motion and second, adopted the current bylaws as circulated. The board also considered its annual calendar of regular meetings, received no proposed amendments, and adopted the calendar. The meeting paused briefly for a technical issue with real-time captions early in the session; the clerk repeated opening remarks for clarity of the record after the pause.

Procedural details: the clerk used separate roll-call votes for each nominee per the board’s election procedure; the meeting included a short two-minute recess so the newly elected president and vice president could be reseated. The clerk recorded five affirmative roll-call votes on both officer elections; one member (Chugtai) was recorded as absent during the roll calls.

The meeting concluded after announcements and a statement welcoming the board’s newly seated Park and Recreation Board representative, Commissioner Tom Olson.

The board adjourned with no additional formal actions recorded.

Next steps: The newly elected president will preside over subsequent Board of Estimate and Taxation meetings for 2026, and the adopted annual meeting calendar will schedule the body’s regular sessions for the year.