Anoka County officials have rolled up their sleeves to tackle a variety of initiatives, kicking off with a nod to local heroes this past Memorial Day weekend. During a recent county board meeting, Board Chair Mike Gamache spotlighted the contributions of veterans organizations for their involvement in ceremonies at Morningside Memorial Gardens and Bunker Hills Activity Center, as detailed in an official statement.
Further strengthening their infrastructure game, the county is gearing up to smoothen your drive by resurfacing Viking Boulevard in Oak Grove. Slated for 2025, this project will cover the stretch from the bridge over the Rum River to Lake George Boulevard. But the roadworks don't stop there. Forest Lake Contracting Inc. won a contract for a makeover of, Lexington Ave. and 122nd Ave. NW intersection in Blaine, promises a shiny new traffic signal system and improved pedestrian paths.
Health and wellness also feature high on the county's agenda. Anona County Public Health Department got a financial shot in the arm with an additional $100,000 from the Minnesota Department of Health to help stomp out a surge in tuberculosis cases. The county's strategy for maintaining the health of its community stretches from disease control to tackling homelessness, pledging more than $1.5 million for the 2023-2025 biennium, targeting assistance toward impending evictions and crunch areas of poverty.
Law enforcement got a pat on the back too, with the Anoka County Sheriff's Office being tapped for the 2025 Presidential Inauguration. They won't just be serving with pride – Washington, D.C. will be footing the bill for their participation. On the internal front, Kari Morrissey scored the top job as the new Director of Emergency Communications after a stint of 32 years in the department, confirming Anoka's penchant for loyalty and experience,
Lastly, the board didn't leave housing in the lurch. Greenlighting a joint powers agreement, the county is set to catch a tidy sum – between $8 to $10 million annually – thanks to a new state-authorized .25% sales tax dedicated to affordable housing. The funds will support housing projects aimed at benefiting residents in dire need of a roof over their heads that doesn't break the bank.
