Proposed Adoption of a Spending Plan Amendment

Share Proposed Adoption of a Spending Plan Amendment on Facebook Share Proposed Adoption of a Spending Plan Amendment on Twitter Share Proposed Adoption of a Spending Plan Amendment on Linkedin Email Proposed Adoption of a Spending Plan Amendment link

UPDATE 11/24/2025. The City Council approved the proposed Amendment to the Spending Plan on November 18, 2025. As a result, the SPARC program will be extended one year, with termination on December 31, 2026. The SPARC program strives to support private investment in brick-and-mortar construction that creates jobs in Edina. Specific proposals to use the remaining SPARC funds, will be presented to the Board of the Edina Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) for consideration. Upon conclusion of the SPARC program, any remaining funds are anticipated to be returned to the TIF District account from where they originated.


Strategic Investments to Grow the Tax Base. The City has used Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as a strategic public finance tool to promote investment in Edina for more than 50 years. The first TIF in Edina supported growth at 50th and France in 1974. The City uses the new property taxes collected from properties in TIF Districts to advance community goals subject to the regulations embodied in State Law. The "base" amount of property taxes collected continue to fund the City, County and other taxing agencies.


Creating a New Tool in Response to Economic Slowdown. In 2021, the City adopted a "Spending Plan" pertaining to unobligated incremental property taxes that had been collected from several commercial properties. These properties are (were) in the Pentagon Park, 70th & Cahill / Wooddale Valley View and Southdale 2 TIF Financing Districts. This action was taken in response to a change in Minnesota law intended to create new jobs and brick & mortar construction as the state and nation began its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

At that time, the City identified up to $9.65 million in property taxes that were eligible to be guided by the Spending Plan. The City branded these funds as the SPARC program as they were intended to encourage new investment, increase the property tax base and create jobs.

2025 Changes to State Legislation. The state law that governs these funds was changed in 2025. Staff recommends the Spending Plan be amended to adopt the recent changes and ensure that Edina's use of these monies is consistent with applicable State legislation.

There are two key changes embodied in the proposed amendment:

  • Extend the deadline to use these monies from 12/31/2025 to 12/31/2026
  • Increase the maximum expenditures by including the interest earnings that have been collected while these monies accrued

Public input requested. In accordance with the State Law, a Public Hearing has been scheduled so that the City Council can formally collect input on this proposal.

UPDATE 11/24/2025. The City Council approved the proposed Amendment to the Spending Plan on November 18, 2025. As a result, the SPARC program will be extended one year, with termination on December 31, 2026. The SPARC program strives to support private investment in brick-and-mortar construction that creates jobs in Edina. Specific proposals to use the remaining SPARC funds, will be presented to the Board of the Edina Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) for consideration. Upon conclusion of the SPARC program, any remaining funds are anticipated to be returned to the TIF District account from where they originated.


Strategic Investments to Grow the Tax Base. The City has used Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as a strategic public finance tool to promote investment in Edina for more than 50 years. The first TIF in Edina supported growth at 50th and France in 1974. The City uses the new property taxes collected from properties in TIF Districts to advance community goals subject to the regulations embodied in State Law. The "base" amount of property taxes collected continue to fund the City, County and other taxing agencies.


Creating a New Tool in Response to Economic Slowdown. In 2021, the City adopted a "Spending Plan" pertaining to unobligated incremental property taxes that had been collected from several commercial properties. These properties are (were) in the Pentagon Park, 70th & Cahill / Wooddale Valley View and Southdale 2 TIF Financing Districts. This action was taken in response to a change in Minnesota law intended to create new jobs and brick & mortar construction as the state and nation began its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

At that time, the City identified up to $9.65 million in property taxes that were eligible to be guided by the Spending Plan. The City branded these funds as the SPARC program as they were intended to encourage new investment, increase the property tax base and create jobs.

2025 Changes to State Legislation. The state law that governs these funds was changed in 2025. Staff recommends the Spending Plan be amended to adopt the recent changes and ensure that Edina's use of these monies is consistent with applicable State legislation.

There are two key changes embodied in the proposed amendment:

  • Extend the deadline to use these monies from 12/31/2025 to 12/31/2026
  • Increase the maximum expenditures by including the interest earnings that have been collected while these monies accrued

Public input requested. In accordance with the State Law, a Public Hearing has been scheduled so that the City Council can formally collect input on this proposal.

Provide input on this proposal

The City of Edina offers several ways for people to provide input before this Spending Plan is amended. All comments are valued and treated equally regardless of the way they are submitted. There is no need to submit the same comment using multiple methods. 

City Council meetings are broadcast live on Edina TV (Comcast Channels 16 or 813) and are also streamed live on YouTube. After the meeting is completed, videos are posted at EdinaMN.gov and YouTube.

Four methods to submit comments and concerns

1) Post a comment on this webpage: Your comment will be posted and publicly viewable as soon as you hit 'Submit'. You will not be able to edit or remove your comment. Your comment will be available to City Council, staff and others to review immediately instead of waiting until the in-person Public Hearing.

Please introduce yourself by name, your  address or neighborhood and your comments about this proposal. Example: Barbara Smith, The Heights. My children walk past this site every day on their way to school. Please consider adding  wider sidewalks to this project.

2) Voicemail: Call 952-826-0377 to leave a voicemail with your comments. Provide your name and address (or neighborhood) as well as your comment. Staff will listen and transcribe the voicemail to this webpage.

3) Attend in person:  The in-person public hearing will take place in the Council Chambers at Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th Street. Each speaker has up to 3-minutes to share comments directly with the City Council.

4) Call in "live": Call 312-535-8110 to provide "live" comments during the Public Hearing. The specific access code and password are published in the meeting agenda and shown on-screen during the live broadcast. After you call in, dial *3 on your keypad to get in the queue to speak. A staff member will unmute your line when it is your turn to speak. Each caller has up to 3-minutes to share comments directly with the City Council. 

Information submitted on this Public Hearing webpage, including your name and address, are published in the meeting packet for the City Council meeting(s) where this topic will be discussed and considered. Meeting "packets" are documents prepared by staff to provide the City Council with information they need to make a decision about a specific agenda item. Meeting packets are available on the City's website. Generally, the City Council makes a decision  two weeks after the formal Public Hearing.

If you have any difficulties sharing your comments or concerns, contact Community Engagement Manager, MJ Lamon at MLamon@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0360.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

I believe the $9.65M in SPARC money should go back to the taxpayers to be used by the City to support its core functions and to be used to alleviate their need to annually raise taxes.

RWLarkin 2 months ago
Cancel x
Page last updated: 24 Nov 2025, 01:40 PM