Randy Schreifels
Auditor-Treasurer
Stearns County
As Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer, I want to ensure voters understand the referendum question on their election ballots to use sales tax to pay for the new Stearns County Justice Center. The question is on how to fund this project. The State of Minnesota and the County Board have determined a new Justice Center is necessary due to our county’s increasing jail overcrowding, outdated infrastructure and inadequate court and security spaces.
Stearns County is offering voters a choice: to fund the justice center through a sales tax or through a property tax. A “yes” vote on the referendum means funding will come from a sales tax; a “no” vote means the County will have to look to property taxes. A sales tax spreads the financial responsibility beyond just Stearns County residents, with about 55 percent of the cost covered by nonresidents who shop or do business in Stearns County, and 45 percent borne by local residents. That mirrors the usage of our justice system, as about half of our jail population and court users are non-residents. In contrast, if the referendum fails, the entire cost will fall solely on Stearns County property owners.
The outcome of the vote on this ballot question will guide how this required county infrastructure project will be funded. I encourage voters to consider the long-term financial impacts and to choose the funding approach that best serves our community’s future.
More information is available at: https://www.stearnscountymn.gov/1753/Justice-Center-Project