Anoka County's Finance and Central Services Division has snagged the coveted cashVest 90+ award, a top honor marking extraordinary management of funds in the public and higher education sectors. This distinction places Anoka County on the map as Minnesota's sole recipient for the year. Anoka County Chief Financial Officer Cory Kampf elaborated on the achievement, which was also spotlighted at the board meeting. This news comes hot on the heels of a string of accolades, with the county's Parks Department also securing a spotlight for "Tracks," an innovative augmented reality trail app for Bunker Hills Regional Park, as reported by the county's recent briefs.
Amidst the award fest, Pam LeBlanc, Anoka County’s long-standing Chief Officer of Property Records and Taxation, also took home an AMC Outstanding Service award for an impressive 42-year career. Meanwhile, adjustments in leadership saw George Borrell taking over as director of Anoka County Social Services and Behavioral Health, following Jerry Pederson's retirement, and Dee Guthman stepping in as interim county administrator succeeding Rhonda Sivarajah.
Moving on to infrastructure matters, county officials have greenlit a hefty $1,222,137 contract with Wells Concrete Products Co. for a refurbishment of the nearly four-decades-old Coon Lake Shop, serving duel duties for Highway and Parks staff during winter and summer respectively. In another strategic move, the board gave thumbs up to a 2-year grant agreement aimed at enhancing transit services for seniors and those with disabilities, backing it with both state and local funds.
Forward-thinking doesn't stop at transportation, as the county gears up for the Rum River Campus Tunnel Abatement project. With VCI Environmental, Inc. on board for hazardous materials abatement, this major overhaul will clear the way for new green space and updated infrastructure. A finance-forward resolution also passed, allowing Anoka County to dip into to $5.5 million of bond proceeds to back the early stages of this vast project, without committing to the bond itself just yet.
Drug offenders in Anoka County might see a new ray of hope, thanks to the board approving a state-funded contract for the Drug Treatment Court's probation supervision stretching into 2027. In the legislature's arena, the county's 2024 wishes include Highway 65 improvements, funding for Rice Creek Chain of Lakes trails, and Metropolitan Council reform. Lastly, the county's last leg of 2023 saw a firm stance on environmental matters with initiatives against aquatic invasive species and a cooperative effort with the Metropolitan Council to tackle the fallouts from the Emerald Ash Borer invasion.
The county board didn't sail through all its decisions unscathed, though. A pivotal resolution on the new designs of Anoka County Jail facilities hit the wall after being voted down. Wrapping up another year, the board bid farewell to Rhonda Sivarajah, who after 33 years serving the county, received a personal send-off complete with a highway department customized road sign, a modest token for a stellar public service career.
All the proceedings of the latest board meeting can be revisited through the county's website for those who missed the live actions or wish to delve deeper into the county's end-of-year decisions.
