The Sherburne County Board Tuesday passed a resolution rescinding a tax abatement for a proposed data center project in Becker.
In 2019, the board approved Jet Stream LLC’s request for tax abatement for 20 years on property owned by Xcel Energy in Becker. The developer intended to purchase the property to build a data center. The tax abatement was contingent upon the developer entering into an agreement with the county and constructing a 375,000 square foot data center on the property.
In late 2022, the developer and Xcel Energy canceled their agreements for Xcel to provide electrical service for the project. The developer still has not purchased the property and has not signed a tax abatement agreement with the county.
The county originally granted the tax abatement request in large part because of the need for both the county and the city to encourage development in the area in order to prepare for the shutdown of Sherco units 1 and 2.
Because the developer is no longer currently pursuing the project, it is in the county’s and city’s best interests to pursue other viable development opportunities for the area. Should the project be resurrected, a new agreement could be considered.
The City of Becker terminated its tax abatement approval for the project at its March 21 meeting.
Opioid Settlements
The board passed a resolution authorizing county staff to execute all necessary documents to ensure the county’s participation in an updated multistate settlements relating to opioid distributors and manufacturers.
In December 2021, the county signed on to the original settlement agreements via a State Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Multistate Settlement Agreements.
There is now a deadline of April 18 for Minnesota cities and counties to sign on to the updated/new multistate settlement agreements (with additional drug supply chain companies).
Signing onto the updated/new multistate opioid settlement agreements and State of MN MOU will provide Sherburne County with funding for several years to help mitigate future costs in public health, human services, and public safety related to opioid use.
Other Business
In other actions the board:
• Approved an Exempt Lawful Gambling Permit for the Big Lake High School Trap Team Boosters on June 26 at Big Lake Township Lions Park,
• Approved an Exempt Lawful Gambling Permit for the Minnesota Sporting Clays on Aug. 26 at Wild Marsh Sporting Clays at 13481 Co. Rd. 3 in Clear Lake;
• Approved a 2022-2023 tobacco license application for Z Tobacco, a new store opening in Zimmerman, contingent upon receipt of a completed application and approval from the City of Zimmerman;
• Approved a five-year copier lease renewal with Marco for $6,764 per month, contingent upon final County Attorney approval;
• Approved a three-year agreement (2023-2025) with Microsoft for licensing for desktops/laptops (Windows Enterprise), Microsoft Office 365, Endpoint manager, email and collaboration services (Teams, Sharepoint). In addition, licensing is included for IT/IS Visio, Sheriff External Sharepoint, and Microsoft CRM (Customer Relationship Manager). The cost is $301,828.67 per year;
• Approved a contract with Maintenance Grounds Services for $51,575 for grounds maintenance (mowing) services from May 1 through Nov. 1, 2023;
• Approved the Residential Final Standard Plat of “Pines Edge,” consisting of four lots on 11.38 acres at Co. Rd. 43 and Co. Rd. 83 in Big Lake. Twp.;
• Approved an Interim Use Permit (IUP) for Christenia Nelson and Ruth Carpenter for a Home Business in an Accessory Building for a Boutique Shop on 0.78 acres on 42nd Street NE in Palmer Twp.;
• Approved the Residential Preliminary and Final Simple Plat of “Leines Second Addition,” consisting of three lots on 30.32 acres on 248th Ave. NW in Orrock Twp.
• Approved ARPA expenditures in the amount of $20,000 to upgrade lighting in different areas of the jail: Delta North and Nova housing units, Jail Administration and the jail kitchen;
• Proclaimed the week of April 3-9 as National Public Health Week;
• Proclaimed the week of April 9-15 as Public Safety Telecommunications Week.
