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Goodhue County approves three-year school resource officer contract after lengthy debate
Summary
The Goodhue County Board of Commissioners approved a three-year contract for school resource officers (SROs) after repeated hearings and extended discussion about cost methodology and who should pay for SRO services.
The Goodhue County Board of Commissioners on April 15 approved a three-year contract for school resource officers (SROs) with the sheriff's office after several meetings and extended discussion over costing and countywide responsibility.
County staff presented updated cost calculations that adjusted prior estimates to reflect actual SRO workweeks, vehicle trade-in values, and employer liability rates; staff also included an added 0.44% paid family and medical leave tax for 2026 and projection assumptions for health insurance increases beyond 2025. The board heard that the sheriff recommended a three-year agreement that uses those updated figures and retains a discount for school districts compared with a full “true cost” calculation.
The most contested question was how to apportion the cost. Commissioners debated whether Goodhue County should continue the historical 60/40 split used in earlier contracts (county pays 40%) or adopt a different approach based on the “true cost” model staff compiled. Some commissioners argued the 60/40 split understates the county’s share of true costs; others said the split reflects statewide practice and operational realities such as officers being pulled for county duties and not always backfilled by the sheriff’s office.
Commissioners acknowledged the difficulty of comparing contracts across jurisdictions because different counties and cities include different line items in their formulas (payroll-only splits, vehicle and uniform contributions, backfill policies, etc.). Board members discussed the risk that lower county rates could prompt additional requests from other districts or cities to contract with the county instead of local police departments.
After discussion, the board approved the sheriff’s recommended three-year contract. The staff packet listed a first-year amount of $68,599 for the SRO contract; the board approved the three-year agreement with the amounts shown in the materials and a 3-year term. The motion passed by roll call 3-2.
The board directed no immediate further changes to the contracting approach but several commissioners said they want to revisit policy and countywide principles for future years if additional districts request county-provided SRO services.
Details of the vote and next steps are recorded in the board minutes and the sheriff’s office will proceed to implement the contract terms with the listed school districts.
