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JDA reviews draft 2027 budget; commissioners urge set‑asides for green energy and legal work
Summary
At its April 29 meeting, the Joint Development Authority reviewed a draft 2027 budget and asked staff for clearer estimates for green‑energy consulting, planning and legal services; Commissioner Kurt Weber proposed a $120,000 green‑energy line, and Chair Jon Wicklund recommended increasing legal to $125,000.
The Special Joint Development Authority met April 29 in Arden Hills to review a draft 2027 budget and requested staff refine estimates for green‑energy consulting, planning and engineering before final approval.
Director Ella Mitchell presented the draft budget, prepared to meet the May 1 deadline, and said it would be updated as development and clean‑energy work advanced. No formal action on the budget was requested at the meeting.
Commissioner Kurt Weber recommended the JDA include an estimated green‑energy line item for 2027, suggesting $120,000 to reflect historical spending on green‑energy consulting. Weber also asked whether year‑to‑date 2026 numbers were actuals; Mitchell said the figures were pulled March 21. Several commissioners said staff should consult consultants and provide contract‑level estimates rather than leaving the line blank.
Chair Jon Wicklund recommended increasing the legal services allocation to $125,000 to cover potential additional review if the JDA pursues a hybrid development approach with developers. Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire said the JDA needs more detailed estimates for legal, planning, engineering and green‑energy work before setting a final budget. The chair also said he would prefer the overall 2027 budget not be lower than $418,000.
Director Mitchell said she would confer with consultants, seek estimates for the key categories discussed and return to the JDA with updated numbers; she proposed reviewing the budget again in June with final approval expected in September.
Votes at a glance • Motion to approve agenda — moved by Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire, seconded by Commissioner Tara Jebens‑Singh; motion carried (tally not specified). • Motion to approve March 10, 2026 Special JDA minutes — moved by Commissioner Kurt Weber, seconded by Commissioner Tara Jebens‑Singh; motion carried (tally not specified).
Next steps The JDA asked staff to obtain contractor estimates for legal, planning, engineering and green‑energy services and to present updated budget figures at an upcoming meeting before the September approval deadline.
