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BEMIDJI — The Bemidji City Council has a packed agenda tonight, addressing multiple community issues.

One of the major topics is a public hearing regarding MnDOT’s final layout for State Highway 197. This project has been a topic of discussion for several months, and tonight's hearing will provide an opportunity for the public to weigh in on the final plans. The council will also consider approving the final layout design.

Additionally, the council will review the approval of a resolution supporting a grant agreement for the traffic safety enforcement project, aimed at enhancing safety measures on local roads.

Another item on the agenda is the ongoing financial concerns surrounding the Sanford Center. The council will be considering resolutions related to cash flow support for the facility, including financial strategies to address its operational challenges. The Sanford Center has been facing cash flow issues for some time, and tonight’s discussion will focus on how the city can continue to support this key community asset while ensuring its financial sustainability.

Some new business to be discussed is the preliminary tax levy for 2025, which will set the foundation for next year's city budget.

The city needs to submit its preliminary property tax levy by Sept. 30. This sets the maximum amount the city can collect in property taxes for next year, but the final amount can be lowered before it's finalized in December. However, the city won’t be able to raise the amount after tonight’s approval.

For 2025, the city estimates it will need about $8.9 million to keep services and operations running as they are, along with some planned projects. These numbers could change once the city's 2024 financial audit is completed. Tonight, the council will vote to approve the resolution that locks in these preliminary numbers, helping the city plan its budget for the coming year.

The council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. tonight, Sept. 16, at City Hall. The meeting can also be viewed on the city website,