Questions about the Tax Forfeiture Class-Action Settlement? Visit MNTaxForfeitureSettlement.com or call 1-833-709-0093
Integrated Solid Waste Management Campus
$6M Request
St. Louis County's Integrated Solid Waste Management Campus aligns with the State's goal to protect ecosystem health, remediate PFAS (Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl substances) contaminated sites, and manage PFAS in waste by constructing an advanced leachate treatment facility in Canyon that will provide a solution for the entire Northeast region. This new facility will serve as a repository for leachate generated by landfills within the region as well as consolidate old landfills and dumps into a lined facility to contain PFAS-contaminated waste.
What is PFAS?
PFAS is a large family of man-made chemicals that are forever present in the environment due to frequent use since the 1930s. At certain levels they are toxic--causing adverse health effects in humans, fish, and wildlife.
Addressing PFAS now and into the future
St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center (The Depot) Asset Renovation $11.342M Request
The St. Louis County Heritage and Arts Center (The Depot) has received $1.5M to make life safety improvements, but is still in need of critical infrastructure improvements for its historic building so the Depot can continue to:
Revitalize an Icon
Ash River Wastewater Treatment and Collection System
$7M Request
The Ash River Sanitary District is made up of a mix of residential and commercial properties served by aging septic systems. Inspection data indicates sewage is being discharged from 78% of septic or holding tanks to inadequate subsurface dispersal systems. This leads to pollution of groundwater and surface water systems, including Ash River and Lake Kabetogama - deemed Outstanding Resource Value Waters by MPCA, and part of the Voyageurs National Park system. The proposed collection and treatment system would eliminate existing septic systems and improve surface and groundwater quality.
Additional Bonding Requests
The Urgent Care Behavioral Health Center (originally called the Clarity Project) will greatly improve access and the system of care for individuals in need of mental health, behavioral health or substance use urgent care/crisis care and stabilization. A legislative 'fix' to the funding awarded in 2023 is needed--a retroactive award of $2.5 million to St. Louis County in cash instead of bond proceeds. In addition, state support for negotiating a sustainable and equitable reimbursement structure for all individuals and payer groups is needed.
The United States Supreme Court ruled in Tyler v. Hennepin County that Minnesota’s tax-forfeiture laws are unconstitutional and result in violation of the Takings Clause. This ruling has resulted in several class action lawsuits and requires a complete rework of statutes governing tax-delinquent property.
St. Louis County manages over 900,000 acres of Tax-Forfeited lands on behalf of the State of MN for the benefit of schools, townships, cities and County. New legislation is needed to provide a path forward that:
The Legislature amended Sec. 7, Minn. Statute 2022, § 253B.10 subdivision 1(b) so that Minnesota has 48 hours after a bed becomes available to move a civilly committed individual out of a jail and into a mental health treatment setting.
Unintended consequences of this change:
Lands Bill Legislation
We have five requests in this category:
Statewide County Legislation: