Final Stearns County Jail and Justice Center Meeting Set for Monday, October 28th

(KNSI) — Voters in Stearns County have one last chance this week to learn more about the Jail and Justice Center Project.

The open house style drop in meeting is tonight at the St. Cloud Library’s Mississippi Room from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. If they haven’t already done so, people are encouraged to come and meet with County representatives and ask questions before they vote on whether or not to approve a 3/8 cent sales tax to pay for it. The tax would be collected for 30 years or until the project cost is paid for, whichever comes first.

Passing a sales tax means the cost will be spread out, with 55% of the money coming from nonresidents and the rest coming from residents. County officials say voting no on the tax does not mean the building won’t move forward. If the measure fails, the estimated $325 million for the jail and justice center would be paid for through a property tax increase, so residents would shoulder 100% of the cost.

According to a press release, the state has been telling Stearns County to address deficiencies in its jail. Two studies concluded adding on and upgrading the facility would waste taxpayers’ money, and in June, the Board of Commissioners voted to build a new jail, sheriff’s office, courtrooms and related facilities on undeveloped land in St. Cloud outside of downtown and on green space.

The board of commissioners has crisscrossed the county making presentations, with more than a dozen conducted in the last month.

Early absentee voting has started and will continue until Monday, November 4th. The general election is Tuesday, November 5th.

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