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Members of the State Senate Capital Investment Committee visited two Chisago County locations January 17.  Their coach bus made stops at Wyoming and Lindstrom—where the senate received applications for public safety-related facilities seeking funding from the state bonding bill. 

The final selected bonding package will be drafted in this upcoming legislative session. 

Local State Senator Mark Koran R-North Branch, participated in the tours and presentations although he is not a member on the Capital Committee.  The committee is chaired by Sen. Sandra Pappas D-St.      Paul. Karin Housley, R-Stillwater, is also on the committee.  (Housley represented the southeast corner of Chisago County prior to 2020 redistricting. See photo.)

The process starts with calling for applications for aid for projects of both statewide significance and local government projects.  The committee schedules field trips to personally view the needs and talk with local officials.  The Governor also sets his priority amounts for local needs, and declares his preferred state owned projects.

Wyoming’s fire and law enforcement facility is estimated to cost $16 million. The state bonding is being asked to provide $8 million and Wyoming would sell its own bonds for the remainder, City Administrator Robb Linwood told the committee visitors.

When the legislature convenes next month the final bond funding recommendations will be packaged and a full floor vote eventually will happen.  

Sen. Pappas cautioned during the Wyoming site visit that the state is looking at $830 million as a limit on approved bonds in 2024, due to bonding debt existing from prior sessions (story on LAPD commission meeting Jan. 18). Furthermore she said the committee is dealing with funding applications for  facilities all over the state that are outdated and in need of financial help for replacement.

Wyoming Police Chief Neil Bauer noted the Wyoming project is a cooperative facility for fire department space plus law enforcement operations.

Administrator Linwood added the services that come out of Wyoming are of regional significance as I-35 and Highway 61 are within the immediate territory.  The garage and office used by law enforcement now, will be repurposed into the public works operations and not simply demolished.

The Lakes Area Police/Lindstrom senate committee visit followed Wyoming.  The committee bus then went to Cambridge to learn more about an emergency/transitional housing proposal.  

Last week was not the senate committee’s first tour in Lindstrom.  

The proposed new Lakes Area Police facility ($8 million, state contribution would be $4 million) did make it onto the bonding list last year but didn’t clear final legislative actions.

Meanwhile, in state owned projects, Governor Walz has recommended the plan adding 28,000 square feet of space and remodeling 16,000 square feet at Rush City Correctional Facility.  Educational rooms are now under-sized for the inmate population due to a double-bunking policy implemented after the correctional facility was operational.  

Legislative leaders toured the prison in Rush City weeks ago.  

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