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The goal behind the formation of a group called the Chisago County Collaborative Coalition is to encourage efficiencies in local government. The group brings together interested county and city officials, township leaders, department heads, school district reps and they learn about what’s going on throughout the county.

The effort received funding from the Central Minnesota Initiative Foundation.  The group has met five times to talk about housing efforts, possible sharing of major equipment needs, or expertise that could be shared.  County Administrator Chase Burnham says it is modelled on a Stearns County effort that is over 10 years old.  The next meeting for the CCC will be April 23.

Last week’s gathering was a tour of the county public safety center.  Chief Deputy Justin Wood and Sheriff Brandon Thyen led two tour groups.  The setting was a perfect example of collaboration that the CCC initiative participants were inspired by. The jail services themselves and the collaborative culture  behind the scenes embody the goals sought.

Plus the 9-1-1 dispatch center serves all the area fire departments, the three local municipal police agencies and can communicate with organizations across the U.S and parts of Canada for investigative issues.  

The jail started accepting inmates in 2018 and the first impression during the tour is that it looks like it opened last week. Floors are spotless, walls are not marred with scrapes and smudges.  A sheriff’s captain joked that they stay on top of upkeep because they don’t know if it will take decades to get a new facility (again.)  It took the advocacy over four sheriff terms for this one to get built.

The county as a whole benefits from the cooperative forensics capabilities built into the facility.  It was pointed out other counties with overflow inmate populations now are making use of space in this jail— which has staff enough for providing 80 beds and is sized for 125.  With the addition of a “pod” for more housing this jail can go to 200.  The core services are already sized for growth in capacity in mechanicals, kitchen, laundry, etc.

Sheriff Thyen told the collaborative tour participants the public safety center was designed correctly from the start.  Thyen, who has worked in law enforcement in Chisago County for 27 years, said he not only has pride in the facility and its functionality— but in how his personnel have embraced what it presents as opportunity.  

Thyen praised the volunteers who help out in jail programs, like GED, parenting classes, addiction and recovery.  The staff’s willingness to pursue getting training and finding funding for services like K9 units and drone has been commendable.  Even the workout fitness area took came together quickly with donated exercise equipment and funds.

The cooperative brainstorming continues next with a guest speaker in late April.

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