Franchise Fees for Sustainability
Prioritizing environment and natural resources: Eagan is using energy franchise fees to fund sustainability efforts. Burnsville’s sustainability coordinator brought in multiple times her salary in grant funding in her first 9 months on the job as she helped the city work toward climate plan goals! (See link below to news article from Energy News)
The City of Apple Valley is currently negotiating franchise fees with our utility companies. This is money utility companies pay to the city as compensation for using public property right-of-ways. The fees are then passed on to us in our bills each month.
Apple Valley Eco Advocates strongly support Apple Valley using a small portion of the projected $1-2 million in annual fees to hire a sustainability coordinator. Our letter to the city council, mayor and city administration is below. Please consider reaching out to them with your own letter or call!
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Re: Franchise Fee Use
We understand the city is currently negotiating with our energy utilities to institute franchise fees that would bring in between $1,168,000 and $2,144,000. We request that a small portion of those energy-derived funds be used to hire a sustainability coordinator.
A dedicated staff person could:
· Ensure full use of the many sustainability grants currently available
· Help define goals, performance metrics and a long-range action plan for implementing sustainability programs and policies that save our city money in energy costs and future remediation needs
· Facilitate collaboration between departments, with other cities, and with Dakota County on sustainability initiatives and programs.
· Serve as the city’s main point of contact on sustainability issues with the community
· Promote and communicate sustainability initiatives with city employees and the community
· Identify potential environmental, resiliency and sustainability issues and help develop, policies, procedures, and programs for the city to effectively respond
Eagan recently used franchise fees to hire sustainability staff. Burnsville and Inver Grove Heights also have sustainability coordinators. Since being hired in July 2023, Burnsville’s coordinator has worked to:
· Secure $500,000 in DNR ReLeaf grant funding for assistance for an Urban Forest Management Plan, tree inventory, part-time tree inspector position, and assistance for residents to remove dead/dying trees infected by Emerald Ash Borer.
· Obtain a rebate from the utility for $4,000 for their city fleet electric vehicle charging installation
· Submit for their $123,700 voucher through the EECBG program
· Submit for an approximately $7,500 elective payment through the IRS’s new provisions for the purchase of an electric vehicle
· Explore opportunities to leverage elective pay and tax credit 179D in proposed city renovation and addition projects.
· Collaborate with the City of St. Paul, so Burnsville will benefit from an Energy Futures grant of $500,000
· Share opportunities with businesses and residents on Inflation Reduction Act funding available.
Burnsville is a leader in environmental sustainability, but many cities are investing in sustainability staff because they know it is the right thing to do for good economical and environmental stewardship. Dedicated staff allows for a more coordinated, intentional and comprehensive approach to common sustainability goals that benefit all, financially and ecologically.
Please consider using a portion of the franchise fees to add a sustainability coordinator for Apple Valley.