Walz announces $300M in public safety funding; Albert Lea likely to use its money on new fire engine

Dec. 21—Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Thursday that the Department of Revenue will send $300 million in public safety aid to local governments next week.

During a stop at the Lino Lakes fire station, Walz and public safety leaders highlighted how cities are planning to use the funding.

"This funding will allow public safety officials to invest in the things that matter most to their communities, whether that's officer recruitment and retention, a new ambulance, or fire and rescue equipment," Walz said in a press release. "I want to give a special thank you to Minnesota's law enforcement and public safety officials this holiday season, who never take a day off from keeping their residents safe."

Public safety departments can use the aid for public safety initiatives such as recruitment and retention, equipment costs, mental health crisis responses, victim services and first responder wellness and training programs.

Albert Lea City Manager Ian Rigg said the city is receiving almost $801,000 and is considering using its share toward the purchase of the new fire engine due in 2025.

Rigg said it will cover most of the cost of the engine.

"What this grant money does is it reduces the stress on the fund we use to purchase much of our capital equipment, including all public safety vehicles," he said. "With skyrocketing inflation on equipment and vehicles, especially those specific to law enforcement or fire safety, this is a big help to the community financially. Given the one-time nature, putting it towards anything operational or on going did not make sense."

Also going out next week are the second half payments of more than $1.2 billion in other state aid, including county program aid (CPA), local government aid (LGA), and town aid. County and local governments can use these funds to pay for basic needs such as local roads and public safety. They also can help relieve the burden of local property taxes.

During the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers invested an additional $80 million annually in LGA and CPA to be paid starting in July 2024.

"These aid programs are important investments that impact all Minnesotans," said Minnesota Department of Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquart. "These programs take into consideration multiple factors to ensure that these aid amounts are dispersed in an equitable manner that tries to reflect the diversity and uniqueness we see in communities in every corner of the state."

Freeborn County is certified to receive about $2.4 million in 2024, and the city of Albert Lea will receive almost $6.87 million in local government aid.

That's up from about $5.8 million in 2023 for the city and $1.9 million in 2023 for the county.