Barron County moves forward with Sally Port financing plan; board to solicit bids in April

County financial advisers and the sheriff’s office on Feb. 17 presented a financing plan to the Barron County Board of Supervisors for a new Sally Port and related capital projects, and the board agreed to proceed with preparing a bond issue official statement and soliciting bids in April.

Sean, a financial adviser working with Ehlers, told the board the plan would combine last year’s short‑term capital note and new financing for the Sally Port and roof projects into a 20‑year issue. "We anticipate the size of that issue will be $5,925,000," he said, and estimated an additional $455,000 in annual principal and interest beginning in the 2026 budget.

Jody, a co‑presenter on the financing exhibits, explained the bid and timeline: the county will distribute an official statement to prospective investors in March, open competitive bids on April 14 and ask the full board to accept the best bid at its April 15 meeting; closing would follow within weeks and funds would be available to retire the interim 2024 note (payable May 7 under the proposed timeline).

Board members asked about repayment structure, prepayment and refinancing. Ehlers staff said maturities are typically bid by year and that the county’s bid package will allow prepayment or refinancing beginning in year eight of the 20‑year issue (circa 2033) if interest rates fall. Sean noted the repayment schedule uses level annual debt service to reduce early tax impacts, a choice the board can alter if it prefers higher early principal payments.

Sheriff Chris and Captain Evanson described project scope and operational needs. The new Sally Port will add roughly 1,100 square feet and create dedicated space for video‑visitation booths, they said. "We need a new Sally Port — this is the project that we need to get done to improve our Sally Port and improve our video visitation," the sheriff said. He added, "We're not building the Taj Mahal. This isn't the highway shop," and said the design responds to state jail standards and recommendations from the state jail inspector.

Estimated construction figures presented to the board: the county anticipates Sally Port bids around $2.1 million and the total project about $2.5 million, reflecting roughly $400,000 already expended. The sheriff said the new visitation booths are essential to attract lawyers and court staff to conduct remote pre‑sentence investigations and other proceedings by video, which the sheriff said increases efficiency and timeliness of court processes.

Supervisors discussed checks and balances after the county’s recent large highway project and asked that the board review bids carefully. The board did not authorize debt at the Feb. 17 meeting; by unanimous or general consent members said they would "proceed with what we have outlined," meaning staff will prepare the official statement, seek competitive bids and return to the board to accept a winning bid before finalizing any borrowing.

Key timeline and financial details presented to the board: - Estimated combined bond issue: $5,925,000 (20‑year maturity). - Projected additional levy cost to start in the 2026 budget: approximately $455,000 per year for principal and interest. - Competitive bids to be opened April 14; board review and potential acceptance April 15; closing and funds available in early May; interim note payoff May 7 under the timeline presented.

County staff and the law enforcement committee urged supervisors to raise substantive objections immediately so the April bid schedule would not be disrupted.