Stearns County Considering Sales Tax for New Justice Center

(KNSI) – Stearns County has paved the way to ask voters for a sales tax to build a new jail, sheriff’s office and court facility.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the board approved allowing themselves to go for a 5/8 cent countywide sales tax to build a new justice center. Lawmakers permitted the commissioners to seek the tax. They had until the start of the next legislative session to greenlight it.

Stearns County Administrator Mike Williams says it’s the next step in replacing its aging facilities. “It assures that we could. If we didn’t take this step, we would not be able to hold a referendum. The board would still need to take action sometime next year to put the referendum on a ballot.”

Williams described to KNSI News what’s next for the board. “We’re in the process of receiving proposals for both architects and construction manager services to take us through the next step.”

The commissioners are still deciding whether to build a new courthouse, jail and sheriff’s office. The elected officials are debating whether to build one, two, or all three facilities. They must also decide whether to stay in downtown St. Cloud or move outside of town. Rebuilding all three facilities is estimated to cost around $300 million.

The board has until next summer to make any final decisions. If commissioners decide to move forward with the vote, it will appear on the ballot in November 2024.

___