NEW ULM – The New Ulm Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved a $54,000 contract for strategic planning with the firm Better City, Tuesday.

The EDA received seven proposals to provide consulting services for preparing a strategic plan. Staff reviewed proposals from seven firms and rated Better City the highest.

EDA Director Heather Bregel said Better City has experience creating strategic plans for communities the size of New Ulm and had an inclusive approach to community engagement for this project.

EDA Chair Michelle Markgraf said she liked Better City’s experience with economic development, compared to other firms. In addition, Better City provides measures for following through with the strategic plan once it is created.

“If you’ve gone through the cost and the time for a strategic plan, you need to have the ability to follow through and do what you say you’re going to do,” Markgraf said.

Bregel added that some of the firms that submitted proposals have recently worked with New Ulm on other planning. Better City represented a fresh persepctive.

“We felt it was important to have a complete set of eyes on our city,” Bregel said.

Board member David Christian made a motion to approve the contract with Better City, it was approved by the board.

In other news, Bregel gave an update on the Section 8 housing voucher program. The Section 8 program for Linderhof Park Apartments expired May 1. As a result, the 56 vouchers in the program were converted into Enhanced Vouchers (EVs).

EVs are provided when a Section 8 contract expires or is terminated. The EV allows a family to remain in their current unit. Typically these are designed to protect tenants from rent increases.

Bregel said 42 vouchers are being utilized. There are 11 vouchers available for tenants if they become income eligible within the next three years. Three of the voucher are assigned to vacant apartments.

Bregel said the 14 unused vouchers were automatically converted to Housing Choice Vouchers and are now part of the EDA’s regular voucher program. The 42 enhanced vouchers currently being used at the apartment will also transfer to Housing Choice Voucher as the tenants go off the program or move from the property.

“Eventually they will all become Housing Choice Vouchers,” Bregel said. “Then, they will become available to anyone who applies that is eligible for a voucher.”

Bregel said another 21 vouchers will be available Oct. 1 once the Section 8 program expires at Sunset Apartments.