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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2026 VOL. 131 NO. 26 www.whitebearpress.com $1.00
RATE INCREASE: Xcel Energy schedules public hearings PAGES 12-13
BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The $8.2 million 2027 preliminary levy will go forward after citizens of White Bear Township approved it at the 2026 Annual Meeting. As a township, the citizens are given the direct responsibility of setting the annual property tax levy, unlike cities where elected officials make the decision. While the levy was approved as recommended by city staff, citizens shared concerns about costs and about the suitability of proposed meeting spaces for public meetings. Town Finance Officer Tom Kelly explained that the preliminary levy is a worst-case scenario expenditure ceiling and is typically whittled down to a lower number by the time the proposed levy comes to the Town Board for approval in September. The total levy proposal represents a 13 percent increase from the 2026 preliminary levy. Projected increases in costs include updating the township’s comprehensive plan, new state leave mandates and wage increases. Residents presented ideas for cost-saving measures, and requested that updated information be shared more promptly through the township website. Town Administrator Patrick Christopherson addressed the comments that expressed concern about high costs in the estimation. “To set a preliminary levy before the first quarter of the year is over is difficult to realistically do,” he said. “It seems high because this is like throwing darts at this point. We will have a more realistic number to present in September. This is not set in stone; this is an initial ceiling. Two and a half months into the year is unrealistic to me, but we have to do it.” The proposed preliminary levy was approved 14-10 by the township residents in attendance. The voters in attendance also set the time and place for the town board budget meeting and the 2027 annual meeting, but multiple attendees expressed concern that the Heritage Hall building on Otter Lake Road does not have the capacity to host highly attended meetings. Town Counsel Chad Lemmons explained that large meetings used to be held at Otter Lake Elementary, but the school has declined to host future meetings of this type due to safety concerns. The meeting must be held in a public space within the boundaries of the township, further shortening the list of options. Lemmons stated that the decision must be voted on before the end of the night, though added he would review the statute to see if alternative venues could be made available for SEE LEVY, PAGE 23
Nextera Packaging marks 50 years with new headquarters BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
What began as a small operation run out of a garage in Vadnais Heights in 1976 has grown into a food packaging company that now needs a 114,000-square-foot warehouse and office facility. Nextera Packaging’s move into the
new facility has begun, and “opening day” is planned for April 13. The building, located at 5200 Centerville Road in White Bear Township, is a part of Endeavor Development’s Park 35E development. “It’s perfect, serendipitous. We are getting into this new headquarters, and it's our 50th anni-
versary,” said Ethan Cook, vice president of brand and culture. Nextera has been a family-owned company since its inception. The company, founded by Roger Adams, was originally called Machine Sales and Service. For a time, it was known as Packaging Sales and SEE NEXTERA, PAGE 7
SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Nextera Packaging’s new building is located at 5200 Centerville Road.
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
White Bear lands ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ White Bear Lake Area High School students Eli Murphy and Ethan Christensen practice a scene as the characters Evan Hansen and Connor Murphy during a recent rehearsal for the upcoming spring musical. See story on page 9.
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White Bear Township passes $8.2 million preliminary levy