Stearns County Jail/Justice Center Project Community Meetings being held

Stearns County invites residents to a series of open house meetings to discuss the County's Jail/Justice Center Project. These sessions offer an opportunity for community members to learn more about the project and understand the need for the new justice facility and plans to pay for it, to get their questions answered, and engage with County representatives.

Each meeting is held in a convenient drop-in format, allowing residents to come and go as their schedules permit.

• September 30, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Brooten Pavilion

• October 8, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Paynesville City Hall

• October 10, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Kimball Library (presentation at 5:30)

• October 15, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Holdingford City Hall

• October 16, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the St. Augusta City Hall

• October 17, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph | Millstream Park/Shelter

• October 21, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Sauk Centre City Hall.

Three final meetings take place at the Waite Park City Hall (October 23), Eden Valley community center (October 24) and the St. Cloud Library (October 28).

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For years, the state has been telling Stearns County that it must address the deficiencies in its aging justice facilities. Two independent studies advised the County to divest of the current buildings because trying to add on and upgrade would be a waste of money. In June, the Board voted to build a new public safety facility that will house a jail, law enforcement center, courtrooms, and related facilities on undeveloped land within the City of St. Cloud. Building outside of downtown on undeveloped land is the most cost-effective and efficient. It also allows the project to be fully funded with sales tax dollars, if approved by voters in November, and uses no property tax levy dollars.

While the county has worked to be debt free in preparation for this project, voters will decide in a referendum this fall if facility construction should be paid for with a 3/8 cent sales tax up to $325,000,000. Using a sales tax will take the burden solely off Stearns County residents and will spread the cost regionally as many others outside the County shop here. As well, 50% of the people within the criminal justice system are not Stearns County residents. If the sales tax does not pass, property taxes will fund the project.

Residents will vote on the sales tax referendum this November. Learn more about the project and community meeting details at www.stearnscountymn.gov/justicecenter.