Burnsville sustainability coordinator Bridget Ratzak updated the Economic Development Commission on the city’s energy-efficiency programs and community outreach at the June 6 meeting, outlining available audits, rebates and a new city website to centralize resources.

Ratzak said the city adopted an updated sustainability plan in June 2024 and has focused implementation on five priority areas: reducing energy burden, residential efficiency, business efficiency, multifamily buildings and renewable energy. She said the city is coordinating across three electric utilities (Xcel Energy, Dakota Electric and Minnesota Valley) and CenterPoint Energy for natural gas to deliver audits, incentives and financing to residents and property owners.

The presentation emphasized audits as the first step. Ratzak described the Home Energy Squad program for qualifying Burnsville residents and said the visit is typically valued at $300–$500 and may include on-site installations such as faucet aerators and LED bulbs. Burnsville residents receive a discounted Home Energy Squad rate (about $35–$50 depending on home type). Multifamily and nonprofit audits are free in many service territories and some income-qualified multifamily properties qualify for additional rebates, she said.

Ratzak reviewed outreach results: the city estimates reaching about 2,223 people through events and communications in 2024; a manufactured home park program reached about 306 homes in 2024 and 153 homes so far in 2025. She said the city plans targeted mailings to recent homebuyers and other seasonal outreach and is maintaining a "Save energy and money" web hub to centralize audit and rebate information.

Commissioners and staff asked about building-permit inspection overlap and audit timing for older homes. Ratzak and staff said audits are most useful for older properties (roughly built before 2000), but building permits and inspections remain the responsibility of Building Safety; the audits typically target older stock and identify health- and safety-related issues (for example, moisture or combustion-safety problems) before recommending efficiency upgrades.

Ratzak said utility rebates are regulated by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and are unlikely to change in the near term; federal tax credits for energy improvements and solar equipment are subject to ongoing federal discussions. She advised that local financing and utility rebates remain stable in Minnesota.

Ratzak offered to share a sample audit report with commissioners and noted ongoing staff coordination with inspections, code enforcement and property management outreach. She encouraged commissioners to refer residents and businesses and said the city will continue communicating through the Burnsville Bulletin and other channels.

The presentation concluded with Ratzak noting integration of several energy-efficiency offerings into the city’s Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) programming so income-qualified homeowners can access audits and measures at reduced or no cost.

The Commission did not take a formal vote on the presentation; the item was an informational update.