City Council Meeting, February 17, 2026
Approves General Obligation Tax Abatement Bond Ordinance - Broadband Infrastructure, 5-2 (Bagley and Butterfield opposed)
What happened
The Willmar City Council approved a $9.2 million general obligation tax abatement bond ordinance (5-2 vote) to finance an open access high-speed fiber optic broadband infrastructure network, with debt service expected to be offset by project revenues.
- Jurisdiction
- Willmar, MN
- Governing body
- Final authority
- Date
- February 17, 2026
- Decisions
- 9 zoning decisions
- Outcome
- Approved, 5-2 (Bagley and Butterfield opposed)
Free sample: decision 1 of 9
General Obligation Tax Abatement Bond Ordinance - Broadband Infrastructure
Authorized issuance of up to $9,200,000 in general obligation tax abatement bonds to finance acquisition, construction, and installation of an open access high-speed fiber optic broadband infrastructure network. The 20-year term financing will use city-only tax abatement from approximately 550 residential parcels in phase one area. Annual debt service payments expected to be offset by project revenues.
- Revenues from the broadband project are expected to reduce/cancel the annual debt service levy; properties in tax abatement area locked for 28 years (20-year term plus 8-year waiting period)
The other decisions are listed below by title. The full write-up, verbatim conditions, and the audio at each vote are in Pro.
Meeting Summary
The Willmar City Council approved a $9.2 million general obligation tax abatement bond ordinance (5-2 vote) to finance an open access high-speed fiber optic broadband infrastructure network, with debt service expected to be offset by project revenues.
Key Decisions (9)
General Obligation Tax Abatement Bond Ordinance - Broadband Infrastructure
Tax Abatement Resolution GO Abatement 2026A - Broadband Project
Rail Corridor Study - SRF Consulting Contract
Technology Drive Overlay Project 25-Old 3C Final Payment
Sanitary Sewer Ordinance Amendment
Willmar Government Academy Program
Sunday Liquor License - Elks Lodge 952
Charter Amendment Ordinance - Petition Format Requirements
Airport Snow Removal Equipment Acquisition - Professional Services
Development Activity (2)
Open Access High-Speed Fiber Optic Broadband Network - Phase 1
Infrastructure
Spectrum Network Evolution
Infrastructure
Market Signals (4)
Infrastructure
City is investing $9.2 million in municipal fiber broadband infrastructure,…
Infrastructure
BNSF Railway, Kandiyohi County, and City of Willmar are jointly…
Commercial Demand
Spectrum Communications noted they face 'privately funded competition' in Willmar…
Housing Demand
City's I&I mitigation program for sewer laterals is functioning smoothly…
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