Task force to address drug labs Stearns County is setting up a new task force and developing a new ordinance to deal with drug labs. Drug labs in Stearns County are a growing problem. Last year, the Central Minnesota Drug Task Force busted 28 methamphetamine labs; in the first three months of 2003 they found 20 labs. Busting a drug lab involves many different county departments, including the sheriff, human services, public health and environmental agencies. The task force plans to address issues that will develop cooperation, procedures and training to enable the various county de-partments to work together and appropriately respond to a drug bust while the ordinance will target lab cleanup. The task force will involve members of human services, the county attorney, sheriff and environmental services departments. Regional extension center The Stearns County Extension Service will apply to have a regional center located in St. Cloud. This proposed move is in response to the U of M Extension Services plan to eliminate all local extension offices and instead fund 20 regional centers to deal with state budget cuts. Word could come as soon as mid-July if St. Cloud is picked to house a regional office. Counties can choose to fund all local offices and hire staff to carry out any desired extension programs. Stearns allocated $294,000 for a local extension office for next year. New parkland dedication fees Stearns County is looking into the possibility of charging a parkland dedication fee onto new developments. The parkland dedication fee charges developers a set fee per house that is built. Any dollars collected must go into a special fund used to purchase, develop or improve parks or open space in the county. In order to implement such an ordinance, the county must have agreements with all the townships. The board of commissioners voted to form a committee to come up with a plan on how to pursue these fees and to work with the townships. Commissioners Don Otte and Vince Schaefer, park director Chuck Wocken and environmental services director Don Adams are on the committee and will meet with township officials. A new law passed this year allows counties to charge such fees. Cities and townships have been able to do so for years. There are approximately 200 lots developed in Stearns County each year. Probation, parole and community supervision officers’ week The board of commissioners signed a resolution recognizing the county’s probation, parole and community supervision officers. Stearns County probation and parole officers are responsible for supervising over 5,000 adult and juvenile offenders in our communities. These officers are responsible for keeping our communities safe. The resolution acknowledges their contributions and achievements in serving the citizens of Stearns County. July 13-19 is National Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Officers’ week.
