“Joint Public Safety Building Taskforce” update

Name: “Joint Public Safety Building Taskforce” update
Start: 2025-01-07T16:00:00-06:00
End: 2025-01-07T17:30:00-06:00
Location: County Building 202 West 3rd, Winona MN 55987

Schedule

Tue Jan 07 2025 at 04:00 pm to 05:30 pm

UTC-06:00

Location

County Building 202 West 3rd, Winona MN 55987 | Winona, MN

No New Police Station!!
Who: Community members opposed to further inflated police budgeting!
What: The county and city “Joint Public Safety Building Task Force” will be giving an update.
Where: The county office building at 202 West 3rd.
Virtual option is on RingCentral https://v.ringcentral.com/join/876577660
Or dial: 1-267-930-4000 Meeting ID: 876577660 When: Tuesday, January 7th from 4-5:30pm.
Why: Some backstory…
City staff and elected officials have been asking the county board to invest $23-26 million dollars to build a brand new regional police/sheriff’s station! Winona city residents would see an increase in their city AND county taxes to fund this. This seems incredibly outrageous as the local sales tax is set to increase to fund the newly constructed jail. In order to stop this plan, the county board needs to hear from residents ASAP! Show up to this meeting to learn more. *It is unclear at this time if community members will be able to ask questions or give comments.
Other things to consider:
The police and sheriff’s departments already have a station that they share. It is located right next to the county’s new $28.5 million dollar jail that taxpayers are already funding.
There is no state support for the plan. City Manager Chad Ubl stated it is unlikely that Winona will receive funding this year. County board member Marcia Ward questioned the necessity of the project, stating “Is it a new office building... it doesn't make us safer.”
Officials have tried to sell this idea by claiming it would be a “regional training facility” that could be rented out to police throughout MN. Winonans are NOT responsible for providing other counties with training space and it is doubtful constituents are interested in paying for it. Winona is just one of 80 cities across the US who’s elected officials are pushing to build “cop cities”. We reject that this is actual public safety.
While design schematics have already been made for the city-owned Pro Build site, the city and county have not acquired all the properties needed for this plan. This plan is currently on hold. It should be noted that the county has been in “closed meetings” to possibly acquire the old Chrysler Dealership on Huff street. Will plans shift again? No matter where they propose it, we will oppose it!