Stearns County voters were invited to an open house for the Justice Center Project this week

(KNSI) – Voters in Stearns County will have three more chances this week to learn more about the Justice Center Project.

Open house style meetings will be held this week at Holdingford City Hall on October 15th, St. Augusta City Hall on October 16th and St. Joseph’s Millstream Park Shelter on October 17th. All appointments are scheduled for 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Officials say people should stop by during this time to meet with county officials and ask questions.

The state has told Stearns County it needs to address deficiencies at its jail, according to a news release. Two studies concluded that expanding and modernizing the facility would waste taxpayer money, and in June the Board of Commissioners voted to build a new jail, sheriff’s office, courtrooms and related facilities on vacant land in St. Cloud outside the city center and in a green space.

A measure is on the ballot in November asking voters to say yes or no to a proposed 3/8 cent sales tax to cover up to $325 million in construction costs for public safety infrastructure. If the proposed sales tax passes, construction costs will be split between county residents and visitors. Since non-residents account for nearly 55% of the county’s sales tax expenditure, a yes vote would effectively split construction costs between residents and non-residents.

If the sales tax does not pass, the county will raise the funds through increased property taxes, and county residents will solely fund construction costs.

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