Governmental affairs director Lisa Bode detailed the city’s legislative priorities to the Economic Development Authority on Monday. (Photo/Nancy Hanson.)

Nancy Edmonds Hanson

The top priorities that Moorhead plans to bring to the Minnesota Legislature aren’t likely to surprise the lawmakers who’ll convene in St. Paul on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
“We have asked every legislative session for funds to complete our flood mitigation since 2009,” governmental affairs director Lisa Bode told the Economic Development Authority Monday. This year, we’re advocating for capital investment funding to finally complete Moorhead’s flood mitigation plan.”
The request – one of the city’s two top goals – is for $16 million to update seven lift stations. “We’re done with everything else that we can do,” she said. Last year, the legislature appropriated $11 million for ongoing work, but that left a gap of $13 million. In the interim, the price tag for the same work has grown by 25%.
Moorhead’s request is part of a $60 million request in partnership with Clay County, which includes funding for Minnesota projects necessary for the FM Diversion Project.
Several measures are related to the city’s other top priority, downtown revitalization. According to Bode, the city is requesting an extension of the period permitted for projects eligible for TIF (Tax Increment Financing). It’s based on the extended time required to complete the build-out of projects in the area. “We’re also requesting the same kind of sales tax exemption on materials for the City Hall renewal that we received on those being used for the community center and library,” she added.
The preservation of Minnesota’s Border City Enterprise Zone and its Disparity Reduction Credit are essential, she told the EDA board, along with more flexibility in using them to benefit Moorhead-based businesses. Moorhead is one of five cities that are part of the program.
Bode detailed several other priorities set out by the Moorhead City Council. Among them:
Addressing public safety challenges in Moorhead and Clay County, including workforce availability and training, and preservation of interstate mutual aid.
Pursuing state transit funding specific to Moorhead beyond the appropriation for Greater Minnesota. Population growth has recategorized Fargo-Moorhead from being a small urban area to one of the smaller “large urban cities.”
Yet-undefined legislative needs for the planned DG Fuels sustainable aviation fuel plant.
Support of community partners’ requests that affect Moorhead residents, businesses and visitors, including the Moorhead Cultural Mall, Heartland Trail, Jasmin Childcare, Residential Psychiatric Treatment Center, FM Area Diversion, Moorhead High School Career Academy, and passenger rail service.
Bode noted that Moorhead continues to work closely with the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities and the Minnesota League of Cities, and contracts with two Twin Cities lobbying firms to keep in touch with developments at the Capitol. She observed that the city is in a strong position as the session begins, with both District 4 representatives winning reelection and serving as assistant leaders in their respective caucuses – Heather Keeler in District 4A and Jim Joy in District 4B.