The top story in Sherburne County in 2016, and will continue into the upcoming year, is the Government Center Expansion project.
The project includes the addition of a new courts building, a new main entrance connecting the old and new building, security upgrades, renovations to existing space and new parking facilities.
Late in 2015, members of the county board were told the project would likely cost about $45 million. But in April, that number was revised to $63 million.
The board approved the first phase of the project -excavating, utilities, some electrical work, concrete and asphalt paving in early August at a cost of about $1.8 million.
Work began two weeks later. Since then the new parking lot has been completed and the board approved the second phase for structural steel supply, steel installation and concrete work.
Plans for the remainder of the project will be ready in early 2017. At that time the board, including three new commissioners (see related story) will have to award bids that could be close to $40 million.
Administrator Steve Taylor says that bid will likely happen in February.
There were other county stories that made the news in 2016.
Broadband
With the help of the county’s IT department and a grant from the Blandin Foundation, high speed broadband was installed at the Sherburne History Center near the beginning of the year, allowing the facility to expand its services.
Solar Farms
After almost imposing a moratorium, then having numerous discussions with the planning commission, residents and developers, the board approved permits for the county’s first three solar farms in February.
The final hurdle was deciding how much money to require in escrow to cover clean-up costs when the solar farms eventually closed. The board agreed on $25,000 per megawatt and 25% up front.
Road Projects
In one of the more unusual decisions of 2016, the board tabled awarding the bid for road projects on Co. Rds. 6, 8, 16 and 72 in March because of a lack of a policy regarding shoulder widths and materials.
The issue still couldn’t be resolved in early April after a workshop with residents, and the board finally rejected the bids at its April 23 meeting. The projects were taken off the 2016 construction calendar, and will be part of the 2017 schedule.
LID
In June, the board approved the county’s first Lake Improvement District, (LID) covering Julia, Briggs and Rush Lakes in Palmer Twp., all part of the Briggs Lake chain.
Members of the Briggs Lake Chain Association (BLCA) had been working over the years to maintain lake water quality and prevent shoreline destruction on the lake chain.
A LID has the authority to raise funds and can ask the county to assess properties for additional funds for specific improvements.
Contract Dispute
In July, about 50 staff members from Health & Human Services carried picket signs into the boardroom to show their displeasure with proposed changes to their benefits. The county and union eventually settled the contract.
New PW Director
Also in July, the county hired Andrew Witter as the new director of public works. He took over for John Menter who retired two months earlier.
NorthStar Link
In September, the board approved spending up to $188,000 as the county’s share to purchase five new buses for the NorthStar Link. The total cost will be shared with MnDOT and Stearns County.
Finally, in December, the board approved the 2017 levy with a 3.65% increase. And, in a split vote, they decided not to increase their own salaries in 2017.
