Purpose

The bill would allocate money from state bond funds to build a new public safety facility in the town of Portage. The facility would house Portage’s fire department, emergency medical services (EMS), and remote rescue services for the Superior National Forest and Voyageurs National Park. It would also serve as an emergency shelter and public space to meet regional community needs.

Main Provisions

Subdivision 1. Appropriation

$330,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the commissioner of public safety as a grant to the town of Portage. The grant is to be used to construct, furnish, and equip a public safety facility that will house the town’s fire department, EMS, and remote rescue services for the Superior National Forest and Voyageurs National Park, and to serve as an emergency shelter and public space for regional needs.

Subdivision 2. Bond sale

To fund the appropriation, the commissioner of management and budget must sell and issue state bonds up to $330,000. The bonds would be issued under the terms and with the effects described in Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and in Minnesota Constitution Article XI sections 4 to 7.

Impacts and Implications

• Uses state debt financing (bond funding) to support a local public facility project.
• Provides a dedicated facility for fire, EMS, and remote rescue services, and adds an emergency shelter/public space for regional needs.
• Ties a local project to Minnesota’s capital investment framework and bonding laws.

Relationship to Existing Law

• The bond issuance and funding must comply with the state’s bond statutes (Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675) and the Minnesota Constitution (Article XI, sections 4–7).

What This Means for Portage and Public Safety

• Portage would receive a grant to help pay for a new public safety building.
• The facility would support local fire and EMS operations and regional remote rescue services, plus provide emergency shelter and a public space.

Relevant Terms

Portage; public safety facility; grant; appropriation; bond proceeds fund; state bonds; bond sale; fire department; emergency medical services (EMS); remote rescue services; Superior National Forest; Voyageurs National Park; emergency shelter; public space; regional community needs; Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675; Minnesota Constitution Article XI.