Prior to the Wednesday, January 21, 2026, meeting of the Big Lake City Council, the Big Lake Economic Development Authority approved a motion to issue for sale approximately $35 million in lease revenue bonds to build the proposed Public Facilities Project, which will house the city hall, the police department, and possibly the library. Land has already been purchased on the north side of the future corner of Co. Rd. 43 NW and Minnesota Ave. Bond payments for BLEDA-owned bonds will be paid for by lease payments from the city.

Before the bonds could be finalized, the council had to vote on a resolution to issue those bonds and to authorize the execution and delivery of a lease agreement with BLEDA. All council members were present, and the motion passed 4-1, with member Ken Halvorson dissenting. Big Lake taxpayers will not be responsible for lease payments until 2027. How those payments affect property taxes at that time will depend on several factors, including tax revenues from new construction and new business, as well as surplus revenue from water and sewage and the general fund. 

Open Forum

During Open Forum, Big Lake Resident Dave Nelson expressed dissatisfaction with the Public Facilities Project, claiming that it was approved without meaningful input from Big Lake taxpayers. Nelson explained he believed residents were leaving Big Lake because the city has not invested in infrastructure that directly benefits homeowners, such as a fieldhouse or a community center, facilities that could be built instead of the proposed Public Facilities building.

He praised area businesses for their support of and investments in the local athletic community and then made a plea to taxpayers who no longer have kids in youth sports, “Investing in the future benefits everyone. You don’t just pay for what helps you, you pay for what helps your community.”

He concluded by asserting that the city’s priorities were misplaced and urged them to reconsider the proposal for the new facility. 

Preliminary Engineering Report

City Engineer Layne Otteson noted that five open houses were held on January 13, 14, and 15 to inform the public about the upcoming street, sewer, and water projects detailed in the engineering report he presented before the council. Special attention was given to the expansion of Minnesota Ave. The size of that project is dependent on the city receiving grant money from the state’s Local Road Improvement Program. If the grant is received, Minnesota Ave will be extended to Co Rd 43 NW. If not, only the first 500 feet off of 43 will be finished. A final public hearing will be held on February 18, 2016, to finalize the report. 

Other News

• The council approved a request for Great River Regional Library to conduct a space needs analysis;

• The council reviewed a concept plan from MC Land Holdings LLC. Owner Todd Christenson was on hand to answer questions about the proposed development; 

• Changes to the city’s Personnel Policy were approved. The Dangerous Weapon policy was discussed during a previous council workshop, and no changes were made. However, because of those discussions, member Paul Seefeld wanted to express his support for city workers’ Second Amendment rights.