Commission approves bond resolution, 10-year CIP and industrial-power fee schedule

At its April 28 meeting the Brainerd Public Utilities Commission took several finance and planning actions: it adopted a bond issuance resolution (series 2026a) related to the Trunk Highway 210 project, approved a draft 10-year capital improvement plan and forwarded it to city council, and adopted an application process and fee schedule for large industrial power requests.

Bond resolution: Finance Manager Danny presented a resolution prepared by bond counsel for the proposed issuance identified as "2026a." Danny said $4,945,000 of the issuance is related to water-structured improvements for the Highway 210 project; when the motion was read it referenced a proposed issuance amount of $5,700,000 to consolidate assessable improvement projects. The commission adopted the resolution by roll call.

Ten-year capital improvement plan (CIP): Public Works Director Paul reviewed the draft 10-year CIP, noting alignment of street reconstruction projects with galvanized water service-line replacements and a 2027 lining project for the East River Road sanitary interceptor. The commission voted to forward the CIP to the city council for further review and budget discussion.

Industrial power application guidebook and fees: Staff presented an updated guidebook and recommended timelines (60-day pre-application review; 365-day formal application completion). Commissioners discussed the $500 pre-application fee and larger application fees; staff proposed a fee schedule (pre-application $500; $5,000 for 5–<10 MW; $10,000 for 10–<25 MW; 25+ MW $10,000 plus $250 per additional megawatt). The commission approved the guidebook and the fee schedule and staff said fees will be reviewed annually.

Next steps: The bond will proceed to sale where interest and final terms will be set; the CIP will be forwarded to council for budget consideration; staff will implement the industrial-power application process and monitor fee adequacy.