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East Grand Forks council approves worker-comp credits, TIF/tax abatement and bond amendment; several routine financial items pass
Summary
Council approved a second amendment to a bond financing agreement, adopted a workers-compensation credit policy and added TIF/tax-abatement authority for business subsidies; it also approved renewable energy credit sales, year-end transfers and routine claims and payments.
At its June 16, 2026 meeting, the East Grand Forks City Council took several policy and financial actions.
Workers-compensation credits: After a public hearing and staff presentation, the council adopted a policy to add workers-compensation credits to the Border Cities enterprise zone program. Staff described the program as allowing businesses to apply annually for a maximum award of $30,000, capped at 25% of a business's total workers-compensation cost and with a per-employee cap of $1,500; awards would be processed annually on a first-come, first-served basis.
TIF/tax abatement addition: The council also adopted an addition to its business-subsidy policies to allow either tax-increment financing (TIF) capped at 25% of a project or a tax abatement where TIF is not available. Staff said the program would follow the applicable state statutes that govern TIF, tax abatement and business-subsidy law.
Bond financing amendment: Council approved Resolution 26-06-54, a second amendment to a financing agreement involving the city, American Crystal Sugar Company and Wells Fargo Bank related to the city's solid-waste disposal revenue bonds (American Crystal Sugar Company project, Series 2016). Bond counsel said the amendment moves a mandatory purchase date back five years but does not change the bond's term, taxability or create city liability. Council approved the resolution by roll call.
Other approvals: Council approved an MMPA/WAPA renewable energy credits sale agreement; adopted year-end budget transfers for fiscal 2025; authorized a $90 purchase from Border States Trophy (Council Member Tim Riapel abstained because he is personally interested); and authorized payment of accounts payable totaling $1,656,725.60 and the June 12, 2026 payroll.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 26-06-54 (bond amendment) ' approved (roll call majority); Workers-comp policy ' approved (roll call majority); TIF/tax-abatement policy ' approved (roll call majority); True Check contract renewal ' approved (see separate coverage; vote 5-2); Purchase from Border States Trophy ' approved, Riapel abstained.
The council also took time to recognize Fire Chief Jeff Bushy on his retirement and heard staff updates on upcoming public events, the civic center construction schedule and local fiber and trail projects.
