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The County Board made a huge decision relatively quickly last week and a project proposed to add space to the current government center is advancing.  The commissioners were advised this is a fork in the road and it’s time to opt to either remain in the existing Center City building, on the lake in Center City,  or launch a major new construction project elsewhere.  They chose the former.

The choice posed was basically $40 million dollars compared to $1.567 million.  The double digit long range concept plan, for a new judicial/courthouse facility next to the jail,  will have to wait.      

The expansion is time-sensitive due to the county commissioners’ decision months ago to transition probation and court services to a community correction model.  Previously, local (county) probation agents did not monitor felony adults and now agents will be county staff and do all cases.  

The transition  had an effective date of July 1. 

STATE probation employees already involved with Chisago County felony and sex offender cases are in leased space in Center City a distance away from the Government Center. Agents interface with clients who are out and about either awaiting trial or sentencing,  or are under supervision as part of sentencing.  The state staff were given the first right to refuse any new positions, which is required by law when the probation model changes.  Seven agents will need secured new space when they move to the government center, bringing an anticipated 500 felony level cases with them.

Accommodations entail bumping out walls, relocating building systems, boosting security and creating new floor plans.  

Chase Burnham, county administrator, told the commissioners the government center actually needs a “much larger conversation than just probation” but nailing down square footage demands in the future will be highly unpredictable, though.  

Commissioners agree, and Ben Montzka, an attorney, pointed out for example that the courts are doing remote Internet hearings frequently post-covid.  The functions of the judicial system could need a detailed look.

Easing the expansion decision somewhat is the fact Chisago County already has the estimated budget in reserves. The $1.5 million will not become new debt.  

Burnham said the county really can’t support selling bonds etc. now, and is “under significant debt service until 2032” 

In the event that other departments become severely overcrowded there may be more creative conversations to be had.  It has been suggested in a facilities study that was done by consultants perhaps using space in county-owned libraries is an option. These rooms could be used for providing social workers or public health remote offices.

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