The Anoka County Board of Commissioners has officially taken a stand against the redirection of regional transportation sales and use tax funds to construct a new pedestrian bridge in downtown Anoka. On September 23, a resolution was adopted expressing their opposition to this decision. The issue at the core of this dispute is the $6.2 million originally earmarked for the county that the Minnesota Legislature has reallocated to the City of Anoka for the Rum River Dam Bridge project. This project includes not just the pedestrian bridge, but also a navigation lock and a dedicated space for river surfing, according to information presented on Anoka County's official website.
The county's disapproval stems from what they see as a bypassing of the proper legislative process and a disregard for countywide transportation initiatives. The legislation was passed with no meaningful communication with the Anoka County board, which has led to a heated debate about the fairness and legality of the funding switch. The redirected funds were supposed to support county-wide active transportation initiatives and were statutorily required for such uses. According to Anoka County's announcement, Commissioner Julie Jeppson has been quoted as saying, "We feel compelled to move forward with this resolution because we are adamantly opposed to the legislation that diverted this funding –– how it was created and passed –– and we strongly question its constitutionality."
This funding shift has resulted in a three-year delay for several Anoka County projects, including improvements to Kordiak Park and Bunker Hills Regional Park, as well as a much-needed safety underpass. These projects now hang in the balance as a result of the diverted funds, which are estimated to be around $4.9 million in 2026 and $1.3 million in 2027. As reported on Anoka County's website, these delays impact projects that cater to a large number of residents and visitors, and bring into question the prioritization of funds within the region.
Every commissioner has expressed support for challenging the legislation, with Mike Gamache, chair of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners, affirming, "We support our County Attorney’s Office to take any action needed to oppose this diversion of funds." Anoka County Attorney Brad Johnson's office has filed a complaint seeking injunctive relief in Anoka County District Court. "Our marching orders are clear," he told the Anoka County website, "The complaint speaks for itself, and we’re confident in our ability to defend the county’s position." With this legal complaint in motion, the county hopes to rectify what it views as an unfavorable shift in resource allocation.
