Chisago Lakes leaders brainstorm on efficiencies with county invited facilitator

A group of people active in local government and commerce in the Chisago Lakes Area meets periodically to discuss issues that might make the three cities operate more effectively and to jointly address shared concerns affecting the three-city corridor. The group got together Thursday last week at the Chisago Lakes Area Library for a facilitated discussion on consolidated services, led by Dr. James Danielson, Professor Emeritus at Moorhead, who is a former city council member himself. Danielson was invited by County Administrator Bruce Messelt. Officials representing Chisago City, Lindstrom and Center City, the Chamber of Commerce, a couple county commissioners shared their worries concerning the upcoming budget cycle and how to make the most of property tax levies. They brainstormed boosting the economy and streamlining local government. The group has been involved in recent efforts-- some successful and some not-- toward providing industrial parks, offering development incentives, promoting the Chisago Lakes tourism, attracting new business and investigating technologies. One topic that surfaced last week, requiring more meetings, was taking a look at the culture and structure where each city is providing local fire service. Officials said it is becoming burdensome for single city governments to shoulder the costs of equipment and facilities, while performing departmental administrative duties and training. Not all officials were in support of altering local fire department operations, saying consolidation doesn’t always result in services becoming more cost-effective.