2017 saw some big changes in Sherburne County Government. The biggest story continues to be the Government Center Expansion project, which started late in 2016 and is expected to be completed in 2019.

 

In April, the Sherburne County Board agreed to move ahead with the sale of $39,210,000 in General Obligation Capital Improvement Plan Bonds to pay for the expansion, which has a total price tag of $59 million.

 

As of late November, the project was about 55% complete, with the opening of the 100,000 sq. ft courts addition slated for June, 2018 . The entire project is expected to be completed by February, 2019.

 

Administrator Steve Taylor said the expansion should accommodate growth in the county for the next 20 years.

 

Along with the expansion project, the county also worked on changing its logo, which was outdated and carried the image of the old GovemmentCenter.

 

In July, the board approved a $44,500 contract with Switchboard Advertising to update the county 's logo, tagline (slogan) and the Sherburne County Economic Development and Parks & Trails logo. The logo was presented and approved by the board in September.

 

After more than a year of debate, the county finally updated its policy on using tobacco products on county grounds. At first, Human Services was pushing to make all county property smoke-free, but settled on designating specific smoking areas outside the Government Center and some other county properties.

 

In March, the county approved a program to help subsidize the cost of replacing septic systems up to $20,000 per project. It was a move designed to get homeowners to bring their old and failing systems into compliance.

 

The county had a busy year trying to figure out personnel and staff requirements for different departments.

 

Health & Human Services went through a restructuring process in February after the retirement of Kathy Landwehr, who had served as community health administrator and public health nursing supervisor.

 

The Human Resources Dept. went through a similar restructuring process in June.

In March, Sherburne County Veterans Service Officer Bruce Price was one of 10 honorees nationwide to receive the Life, Well Run Community Hero designation from the International City/County Management Association (lCMA).

 

The program highlights staff members who work with professional city, town, and county managers to improve the quality of life in their local cominunities.

 

In June, county board approved    a lease agreement with Tri-CAP for vehicle storage and office space at the county's Jackson Street building in Elk River. They will share the building with part of the county 's public works department.

 

In November, the county amended its zoning ordinance to require all existing violations be resolved before any type of permit is issued. 

 

In December, the county approved a revised contract with Anoka and Wright counties for the Midwest Regional Crime Lab. Beginning in 2018, the cost sharing formula will be revised to include crime lab usage in addition to population. Instead of population only, 40% of each county's share will be based on how often they use the facility.

 

Also in December, the board adopted the final 2018 property tax levy in the amount of $46,350,191 - a 4.2% increase over the 2017 levy.

 

CentraCare Health Monticello expanded its Health, Education, Access and Link (HEAL) Program to Big Lake and Monticello in 2017 .

 

Under the program, area residents can see a medical professional for free.

 

It was started a few years ago at CentraCare in St. Cloud. It now has 10 locations serving about 500 people.

 

Over the summer, CentraCare - Monticello also completed its new Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit. for people 55 years or older who require a secure environment for optimal treatment and management of complex mental health conditions.

 

 In a unanimous vote, former Big Lake City Councilman Jim Dickinson was appointed to the Monticello-Big Lake Community Hospital District Board during its annual meeting in November.

 

 Dickinson will fill the seat vacated when Carol Bouchie moved out of her district earlier this year.