The council’s indecision on the parks budget stemmed from concerns about the overall city levy. The proposed changes to the parks budget included reallocating funds for snow removal equipment instead of previously planned purchases like a used lift and a wing plow. This shift was due to a new policy prohibiting driving in parks, even for maintenance vehicles, which prompted a reassessment of equipment needs. However, council members expressed hesitation, arguing that approving the parks budget separately from the overall levy could create complications if the city’s financial priorities necessitated cuts. The council opted to table the parks budget decision.

In another agenda item, the council approved the promotion of Laura Juul to the building representative position. The decision followed an internal job posting, and the council agreed to combine Juul’s current role with a business office support specialist position, reflecting overlapping duties and identical pay scales. The motion passed with little opposition, and the council authorized the hiring process for backfilling Juul’s previous position.

Additionally, the council addressed the city’s deferred assessment policy. Staff proposed using the median assessment value for homes in Brainerd, as determined by Crow Wing County, rather than data from the U.S. Census Bureau, to evaluate applications for deferred assessments. This change aims to align the policy more closely with local home values. The council agreed with the staff’s recommendation, forwarding the resolution to the full council for adoption.