Bemidji Council Approves Water Plant Solar, Discusses Expanded Package
At its November 18 meeting the Bemidji City Council approved a solar array for the city water treatment plant and moved forward with a larger package of rooftop installations subject to funding. These decisions could lower municipal energy costs, bolster local resilience, and shape upcoming budgets for Beltrami County residents.
The Bemidji City Council on November 18 approved installation of a solar array at the city water treatment plant and voted to advance a larger, contingent package of rooftop solar projects for several public facilities. Council members set the water plant project budget at approximately $155,124, noting the system is eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit and may qualify for additional state and local rebates. If permits and financing are secured, construction could begin in spring 2026.
A separate proposal to add solar arrays to Fire Station 2, the Sanford Center, Neilson Reise Arena and the City Park warming house passed on a 6 to 1 vote, but implementation was made contingent on securing further grant funding and rebate support. Council records indicate the expanded package will not proceed to construction until those funding mechanisms are confirmed, leaving timing and final costs subject to change.
The council also amended the 2026 fee schedule, increasing long term rental business license fees by roughly 10 percent. The fee change was adopted as part of the broader November meeting agenda and will take effect with the 2026 licensing cycle. City officials said adjustments to the fee schedule are part of regular budgetary updates, while the solar projects are being evaluated for their potential long term budgetary benefits.
For local residents the immediate impacts will be modest, focused primarily on municipal energy bills and facility operations rather than direct changes to individual utility bills. Over time, city leaders expect reduced electricity costs at covered facilities, improved energy resilience during outages, and potential local contracting work during installation phases. The contingent nature of the larger solar package means those benefits depend on successful grant applications and rebate approvals.
These actions reflect a local effort to align municipal infrastructure with broader renewable energy trends and federal incentive structures. Council approval of the water treatment plant array establishes a clear near term project, while the approved but contingent package keeps multiple community assets in line for future decarbonization if external funding is secured.
