Stearns County to Hold Two Public Meetings to Rally Support for New $325M Jail and Justice Center

(KNSI) – Stearns County officials will hold two open-house meetings this week to continue gaining support for a new jail and justice center.

The next gathering is at the St. Cloud Public Library, starting at 7:00 p.m. The League of Women Voters is presenting the public forum. The sessions offer a chance for community members to learn more about the project, why the county says it needs the new justice facility, how it plans to pay for it and to get their questions answered from county representatives. The meetings are drop-in, allowing residents to come and go as they please.

The project will then be presented to residents of Melrose at city hall on Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The county has proposed spending up to $325 million to rebuild the justice center outside of downtown St. Cloud. According to a press release, the state has been telling Stearns County that it must address deficiencies in its jail or risk having it shut down. Two studies concluded that adding on and upgrading the facility would waste taxpayers’ money.

In June, the board voted to build a new jail, sheriff’s office, courtrooms and related facilities. If voters give it the thumbs up in November, the project would use a 3/8 cent sales tax to cover the cost. The Stearns County Board of Commissioners has made it clear that if the sales tax does not pass, property taxes will fund the project.

Other meetings are scheduled for:

September 23, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Cold Spring | ROCORI HS | DES Building
September 24, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Elrosa Fire Hall
September 26, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Albany City Hall
September 30, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Brooten Pavilion
October 1, 5:00-7:00 p.m. St. Stephen City Hall
October 2, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. St. Cloud Whitney Senior Center
October 3, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Luxemburg | St. Wendelin’s Mary Hall
October 7, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Sartell Community Center
October 8, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Paynesville City Hall
October 10, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Kimball Library
October 15, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Holdingford City Hall
October 16, 5:00-7:00 p.m. St. Augusta City Hall
October 17, 5:00-7:00 p.m. St. Joseph | Millstream Park/Shelter
October 21, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Sauk Centre City Hall
October 23, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Waite Park City Hall
October 24, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Eden Valley Community Center
October 28, 5:00-7:00 p.m. St. Cloud Library | Mississippi Room

To learn more about the project and community meeting details, click here.

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