Barron County trims 2025 bond issue to $4.95 million after ARPA debate

The Barron County Board of Supervisors voted Monday to authorize up to $4.95 million in general obligation corporate purpose bonds for 2025, trimming an original $5.3 million request after members debated using $350,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to pay for roofs and technology.

Supervisor Randy Cook moved the amendment to lower the borrowing amount, arguing the county already had cash available. “Nobody in this room would go borrow $50,000 to buy a new car if you had $100,000 in the bank. Nobody,” Cook said during debate.

Supporters of the amendment said using ARPA or fund balance for a portion of the work would save taxpayers interest costs. Opponents warned that spending ARPA now would reduce the county’s financial cushion for future uncertainties. A participant identified as Louie, speaking to financing terms, noted an option to prepay the loan after seven years and cautioned that finance choices affect long‑term taxpayer obligations: “after 7 years, we could repay the loan, so it may not be 20 years.”

County Administrator Jeff French provided fund details during the discussion, telling supervisors that if the board used $350,000 of ARPA, the ARPA balance would drop to about $87,019. French also noted the borrowing requires a three‑quarters affirmative vote of the full board to be adopted as long‑term debt.

The amendment to reduce the bond from $5.3 million to $4.95 million passed by a majority vote (16 yes, 11 no, 1 abstain). The full resolution, as amended, then passed by the required three‑quarters vote of the board (26 yes, 2 no). Supervisors Hansen and Thompson recorded the no votes.

Why it matters: the decision lowers the county’s long‑term borrowing by $350,000 but also commits a portion of one‑time ARPA funding to capital repairs rather than leaving that money available for emergency needs or other projects.

Details and next steps: supervisors discussed roofs and a sally port among project needs and heard that the county saved between $600,000 and $700,000 on construction bids for the sally port work, a factor officials cited for proceeding with the financing now. Administrator French said staff will bring follow‑up proposals to the board on how to allocate the remainder of the funding at a later meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Amendment to reduce borrowing to $4,950,000: passed 16 yes, 11 no, 1 abstain. - Main resolution as amended (bond issuance not to exceed $4,950,000): passed 26 yes, 2 no (three‑quarters required and met).

Speaker list (selected): - Supervisor Randy Cook — Barron County Board of Supervisors (moved the amendment). - Diane Vaughn — Barron County Board of Supervisors (seconded the amendment). - Jeff French — County administrator (provided fund and ARPA figures). - Louie — staff member (financial advisor; provided technical commentary during debate).

Clarifying details: - Amendment amount moved: $350,000 of the original $5.3 million would be covered by ARPA/fund balance if the amendment passed. - ARPA balance reported after proposed transfer: ~$87,019 (as of the board’s projection on April 15, per the county administrator). - The board noted $600,000–$700,000 in bid savings on the sally port project that influenced timing of the financing.

Proper names: Barron County; American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA); Sterling Bank (referenced as a local lender); County Administrator Jeff French.

Ending: County staff will return to the board with implementation details and proposed allocations for the remaining capital needs and with paperwork to complete the bond issuance after the formal adoption of the amended resolution.