This huge chunk of money became available on the day after Christmas and brought joy to public safety agencies, including those in the North Metro.
“It’s always good for me to be able to say this time the checks are in the mail,” Governor Walz said.
Each agency can use the extra funds any way they want to.
“We’ll see the benefits of this work for generations,” said Minnesota Senator Heather Gustafson (DFL).
For some departments the money is a game-changer.
Said Gustafson: “Lino Lakes was able to use funds for needs like fire and rescue equipment as well as squad and body cameras.”
“We’re going to use that in a multitude of ways,” said John Swenson, Lino Lakes Police Chief/Public Safety Director.
Lino Lakes gets 930k
Lino Lakes is getting 930k and can use some of the cash to pay off the city’s two fire trucks.
“We’re going to be using a portion of our aid, just under $230,000, to buy down the cost of that,” Swenson said. “That translates to a savings for the city of Lino Lakes for the next 10 years of just over $20,000…This has really moved us forward in our public safety efforts. It has increased the level of service that we’re able to provide to our community.”
Meanwhile, the funding will allow the Centennial Lakes Police Department to do something that hasn’t happened in a couple decades.
“For the first time in about 20 years we’re going to be adding a police officer to our force,” said Centennial Lakes Police Chief James Mork. “We’re going from 16 full-time officers to 17.”
Centennial Lakes is also going to add equipment that can deter speeding in Centerville, Circle Pines and Lexington.
“We’re going to approach it from that standpoint and have electronic speed monitoring signs that are out and throughout our neighborhoods,” Mork said. “We’re also going to provide our detective unit with equipment and tools that they need to more effectively and efficiently do their job.”
Spending flexibility
Politicians at the event believe a key selling point for these funds is that every agency has flexibility on how they can spend their money.
“I think that this model proves that if your local governments are the ones that are in control and they’re elected by their communities, then they should be trusted to make those decisions about keeping their communities safe,” Gustafson said.
“Whether you live in Mankato or Lino Lakes, it matters that the people there are safe, the businesses there are safe and they have responses,” said Governor Walz. “That’s why I think it makes sense to use state money with funds you build in for local needs.”
Governor Walz believes this gives public safety departments plenty of options.
“That gives some flexibility to do things, whether that is retention and hiring of new folks,” Governor Walz said. “Whether that is a new piece of equipment, or whether it’s trying something new.”
Governor Walz actually wanted twice as much as the $300 million that was eventually agreed upon. The money goes to every city, county and tribal nation in Minnesota.
