Board approves building and park projects
Park and trail improvements, additional road projects, enhanced security, and county building additions and remodels are part of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) approved today by the Stearns County Board of Commissioners.
A list of 22 projects were identified to be included in the Capital Improvement Plan to be completed over the next five years. A Capital Improvement Plan allocates bonding money for county facility upgrades, parkland improvements, and road maintenance.
The plan calls for $26 million in improvements through 2021. On the list of projects for 2017: construction of the Lake Wobegon Trail from St. Joseph to Waite Park, construction design of the Beaver Island Trail, elevator upgrades in the Law Enforcement Center, road construction projects, and county facility improvements and repairs. Over the next few years, the plan includes a new park shelter/play structure at Rockville County Park, development of Wildwood County Park, addition to the Stearns County Service Center, Beaver Island Trail construction, improvements to the Dairyland Trail, and remodeling of the Stearns County Administration Center and surrounding ring road to enhance security and improve customer service.
Total cost for these projects is $26 million. The County will bond for $19.3 million; the remaining funding comes from other government sources. Taxpayers will not see an increase in their levy as a result of these bonds. They will be structured in such a way that payments for the 2017 bonds will replace previous bonds as they get paid off.
The County last adopted a Capital Improvement Plan in March of 2014.