Proposed Lion’s Park Splash Pad
The Police Department began using thermal imagers and ballistic helmets in their squad cars. Imagers will help locate people and property during the night, while helmets will be carried in each car for use during high risk situations. The department has plans to hire two more officers before the end of 2019 and deploy the use of bodyworn cameras
before 2020. A Police Reserve Program was prepared in 2018, with plans to rollout the program into the community in the next few years. The Fire Station put their rescue airboat into service in 2018 and formed a truck committee with the Sartell Fire Department to plan and build two new trucks. This will lessen the cost and make purchasing parts easier.
Liquor sales in 2018 exceeded $3 million. The $160,000 net profit will be used to purchase police cars, fire trucks, and snow plows. City administration continued their accelerated debt reduction plan in 2018 by paying off another bond early. This reduces the total debt from $15.4 million on December 31, 2017, to $10.7 million on December 31, 2018. Total debt is down from $21.2 million in 2009. The City increased its building fund balance to approximately $2.5 million to prepare for the maintenance and improvements needed in the near- and long-term future.
In the past decade, Sauk Rapids has made a tremendous investment in its future, with the following projects: • Water Treatment Plant • Public Works Facility • Water Tower at the high school • Government Center • Fire Hall • New Mississippi River bridge • Benton Drive reconstruction • 2nd Street reconstruction • Golden Spike Road improvements “I’m pleased with where things are going,” Mayor Hunstiger said. “We’ve added staff, we’re trying to add services and do something for everyone.” – Compiled by Kelti Lorence
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