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Brainerd EDA approves consultant contracts and 2026 budget that draws on reserves
Summary
The EDA individually approved shared services agreements for consultants (Bladec, Swanson Hascamp, DDBC, Visit Brainer), the initiative foundation membership, and the 2026 budget; staff said the budget would draw about $31,800 from EDA reserves but remain within policy guidance.
At the Dec. 4 meeting the Brainerd EDA approved individual shared services agreements with its consultant partners and adopted the proposed 2026 budget.
Staff presented the budget and said the city council had agreed to hold the EDA levy flat; the proposed expenditures (including consultant contracts, the façade/signage program and mitigation planning) totalled approximately $220,118 and would reduce the projected fund balance by about $31,800. Staff noted the projected year‑end fund balance would remain within the city’s recommended reserve range.
The board took separate motions to approve the Bladec, Swanson Hascamp, DDBC and Visit Brainer shared services agreements; DDBC and Visit Brainer had recorded abstentions by members with conflicts of interest. Consultants noted modest proposed increases—Bladec and Swanson Hascamp cited 3–5% changes reflecting scope additions or cost-of-service changes—and summarized priorities for 2026 including mitigation planning, a downtown master plan and ongoing property‑listing management.
The board then moved and approved the 2026 budget as presented.
Next steps: staff will implement the contracts; consultants will begin the agreed scopes of work and provide regular progress updates to the EDA.
