SF521

Purpose

To provide funding from state bond proceeds to help the Cloquet Area Fire District build new fire station facilities. The bill designates money to be used for acquiring a site, removing existing structures, and completing all steps needed to design, construct, furnish, and equip one or more fire stations as chosen by the Cloquet Area Fire District Board.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation: $10,500,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to grant to the Cloquet Area Fire District for the project.
• Use of the grant: The grant can be used to acquire a site, demolish existing structures, prepare the site, and undertake predesign, design, construction, furnishing, and equipping of one or more fire stations identified by the Cloquet Area Fire District Board.
• Bond financing: The Commissioner of Management and Budget is authorized to sell and issue state bonds in an amount up to $10,500,000 to fund the appropriation, following Minnesota bond and constitutional rules.

Financial Details

• Total funding amount: $10,500,000 (bond proceeds fund).
• Source and mechanism: Funds allocated as a grant to the Cloquet Area Fire District via DEED; bonds will be issued to provide the money, under applicable state statutes and the state constitution.

Implementation & Process

• Administration: DEED will administer the grant to the Cloquet Area Fire District.
• Project scope: The project may involve acquiring a site, demolishing structures, site preparation, and all phases from predesign to furnishing and equipping the fire station(s).
• Identification: The specific number and identity of the fire stations will be determined and identified by the Cloquet Area Fire District Board.

Significance

• This bill finances local public safety infrastructure through state bonds, enabling the Cloquet Area Fire District to expand or modernize fire station facilities, subject to standard state bond issuance procedures.

Significant Changes to Law

• Creates or expands an appropriation and bond issuance authority to fund a capital project for the Cloquet Area Fire District. It relies on existing bond issuance statutes and constitutional provisions but directs a new specific grant and project funding.

Relevant Terms bond proceeds fund, appropriation, grant, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, acquire a site, demolish existing structures, site preparation, predesign, design, construct, furnish, equip, one or more fire stations, Cloquet Area Fire District Board, Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Commissioner of Management and Budget, state bonds, Minnesota Statutes sections 16A631 to 16A675, Minnesota Constitution article XI sections 4 to 7.