Council debates whether to let voters decide $4 million YMCA support; no referendum direction set

Council members spent substantial time on June 15 debating whether Brainerd should place a proposed $4 million funding commitment for the YMCA before voters or instead proceed administratively. The discussion grew into a substantive debate about transparency, the appropriate use of city bonding capacity for a single nonprofit, and whether council should act without a detailed YMCA business plan.

Council member Chesak pressed to move the issue off “dead center,” asking, “Do we want the people to vote on this or do we not?” Several council members said they had not received the financial detail needed to approve a multi-million-dollar commitment without voter input. Councilman Erickson said he is “opposed to using the city's bonding capacity to provide funds to a specific nonprofit” and would prefer a referendum if the YMCA wishes it.

Staff said the YMCA had submitted a letter asking the council not to put a referendum on the ballot because of timing concerns; Personnel & Finance chair Gabe Johnson reiterated that point, saying his committee believed the YMCA did not want a referendum and he “didn't think we should force a referendum on them.” Several council members said the YMCA should be consulted directly and given an opportunity to present a business plan and operating details before the council makes a final decision.

A procedural motion to open discussion of ballot language passed and the council discussed options. A later motion to reconvene the matter at the July 6 meeting with proposed language failed for lack of a second, so no schedule was set for a referendum question or for final action to use bonding capacity. Council members instructed staff to continue communications with the YMCA and to provide any available requested information to the council.