Minneapolis board elects new leaders amid federal tensions
The Board of Estimate Taxation, which oversees the city's tax base and financial resources, unanimously elected Commissioner Steve Brandt as president and Commissioner Harris Bernstein as vice president on January 15. The election came as the board's new leadership addressed what they characterized as a federal government crisis affecting Minneapolis communities.
The Board of Estimate Taxation held its annual officer elections with unanimous votes. Commissioner Bernstein nominated Brandt for president, and Commissioner Payne nominated Bernstein for vice president. Both positions passed 5-0. The board also approved its bylaws and adopted its 2026 meeting calendar without proposed changes.
The meeting took on heightened significance when newly elected President Brandt delivered a statement acknowledging the historical trauma of Native American land dispossession and what he called the current "militarized invasion of an overreaching federal government" affecting Minneapolis. He noted that the trauma is sweeping across diverse communities, including tribal, indigenous, Somali, African, Hmong, Vietnamese, and allied European American residents. Brandt praised Mayor Fry, Attorney General Ellison, and Governor Walsh for their responses, and acknowledged that Minneapolis police have acted as a buffer during the crisis.
Brandt urged residents to "stay strong and disciplined" and to protest peacefully without repeating "the destruction of 2020." He revealed that at least two board members have been stopped by federal agents, emphasizing that public officials stand with the community.
During a discussion about the board's role, Commissioner Payne stressed that the Board of Estimate Taxation is an independent governing body separate from the City Council and mayor. "If it's going to exist, we should do it well and we should do it independently or it shouldn't exist," Payne said. Commissioner Bernstein connected the board's financial oversight directly to the city's ability to fund public safety, infrastructure, and business development, calling it essential to residents' collective well-being—particularly during crises.
The Board of Estimate Taxation is a relatively obscure but important city body responsible for overseeing Minneapolis's tax base and ensuring the city has resources to fund essential services. The board's independence from the mayor and City Council gives it significant authority over municipal finances.
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Receipt of Park and Recreation Board's Appointment of Commissioner Tom Olsen
This item formally acknowledged the appointment of Commissioner Tom Olsen to serve as the Park Board's representative to the Board of Estimate Taxation.
Election of President of the Board of Estimate Taxation
Moved by Commissioner Bernstein [10:37]
The floor was opened for nominations for President. Commissioner Brandt was the sole nominee.
Election of Vice President of the Board of Estimate Taxation
Moved by Commissioner Payne [12:35]
The floor was opened for nominations for Vice President. Commissioner Bernstein was the sole nominee.
Annual Review and Adoption of Bylaws
Moved by Unknown [19:54] · Seconded by Unknown [20:00]
The board conducted its annual review of the bylaws. No proposals for changes were presented or discussed, leading to the adoption of the current bylaws.
Adoption of Annual Calendar of Regular Meetings
Moved by Unknown [21:23] · Seconded by Unknown [21:27]
The board reviewed the tentatively presented annual calendar of regular meetings. No amendments or changes were proposed, and the calendar was adopted.
President Brandt's Statement on Federal Actions and Community Impact
President Brandt delivered a significant statement addressing current events. He acknowledged the historical trauma of land disposition and the new trauma caused by a 'militarized invasion' from the federal government in Minneapolis. He detailed its impact on various communities including tribal, indigenous, Somali, African, Hmong, Vietnamese, and even European Americans involved in allyship. He commended Mayor Fry, Attorney General Ellison, and Governor Walsh for their principled stands and appreciated the Minneapolis police for acting as a buffer. He urged the city to stay strong and disciplined against provocations and avoid a repeat of 2020 destruction.
Discussion on the Independent Role of the Board of Estimate Taxation
Commissioners discussed the board's unique position. Commissioner Payne articulated his belief that the BET is an independent governing body with specific powers that should be maximized, suggesting it should either operate effectively and independently or not exist. Commissioner Bernstein echoed this sentiment, linking the board's financial oversight to the city's ability to fund essential programs for safety, infrastructure, and overall well-being, particularly in the context of current crises.
I'd like to nominate Commissioner Brandt for president of the board of estimate taxation.
Uh, I nominated Commissioner Harris Bernstein for vice president.
Today, I'd like to go a step further than that normal statement to acknowledge the trauma that resulted from that land disposition with which my ancestors have some personal experience. I'd also like to acknowledge that today there is new trauma sweeping the city of Minneapolis as we deal with the militarized invasion of an overreaching federal government.
Let us stay strong and disciplined in the face of this invasion and its provocations. Raise your voices, raise your banners, but let's not return our city to the destruction of 2020 that we are working so hard from which to rebuild. Stay strong, Minneapolis. Your public officials are with you, including at least two on this very board who have been stopped by federal agents. We will prevail.
There is a debate about whether or not this body ought to exist and it is my belief that um if it's going to exist, we should do it well and we should do it independently or it shouldn't exist.
our ability as a city uh to provide the monetary resources to invest in the programs that care for motans um Minipolitans uh that keep them safe, that build safe infrastructure, that fund a public safety system that keeps us safe. Um that enables uh our businesses to function um you know well um that all comes down to the tax base that we have and the resources that we marshall collectively to invest in all of our well-being.
Source document
[0:00] I have said from the get-go,
[0:02] to people in Minneapolis,
[0:04] do not take the bait.
[0:05] We are better than that.
[0:07] I have encouraged peaceful protest
[0:09] and I am inspired
[0:10] by the
[0:11] tens of thousands of people
[0:13] who have, in fact,
[0:14] peacefully protested
[0:15] and fairly documented with transparency
[0:18] what is taking place.
[0:19] That is allowed
[0:20] in any city in the country.
[0:22] And I have made it clear
[0:23] that to the extent
[0:24] people are going beyond that
[0:26] and those protests are not peaceful,
[0:28] and the violence
[0:30] that the Chief mentioned,
[0:32] it's got to stop and you got to go home.
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Other Topics from This Document
Acknowledgement of Land and Current Federal Government Actions
Role and Independence of the Board of Estimate Taxation
Public Meeting Accessibility and Conduct
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