Stearns County adopts APO cost-sharing plan for St. Cloud BeltLine

The Stearns County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a resolution supporting a cost‑sharing agreement proposed by the St. Cloud Area Planning Organization (APO) for future development work on the St. Cloud BeltLine.

The resolution, approved by unanimous voice vote after a presentation from Brian Gibson, executive director of the St. Cloud Area Planning Organization, endorses the APO technical advisory committee’s recommendation that planning-phase costs remain distributed under the APO’s existing formula and that tier‑1 environmental impact statement (EIS) local match costs be shared regionally: 50% paid by the implementing jurisdiction and the other 50% split among APO members by the normal distribution formula. Tier‑2 EIS work, final design, right‑of‑way acquisition and construction would be the sole responsibility of the implementing jurisdiction.

Gibson told commissioners the BeltLine is “a circular arterial roadway, designed to go kind of around the core, the most highly developed part of the urban area to help people get around a little bit more quickly, with less congestion and, hopefully, safety issues as well.” Jody Teich, Stearns County highway engineer, noted the study and planning steps follow the usual five‑step development process: planning/concept, environmental assessment, final design, right of way and construction.

APO materials provided a worked example showing the local share on a hypothetical $1 million tier‑1 EIS assuming 80% federal participation: $200,000 in local match; $100,000 paid by the implementing jurisdiction and the remaining $100,000 distributed by the APO formula. In 2024 Stearns County’s APO share was 9.64%, which would translate to $9,640 on the example local share if Stearns were not the implementing jurisdiction; if Stearns were the implementing jurisdiction it would pay about $109,640 under the APO recommendation.

Commissioners asked for additional context on timing, likely project footprints and how smaller jurisdictions can access funds. Several commissioners said they would like follow‑up briefings from the Initiative Foundation and staff from neighboring counties about governance and examples from other districts. Commissioner Clark moved adoption of the resolution; Commissioner Persky seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

The APO board had approved the policy recommendation earlier; the county resolution signals Stearns County’s assent to the cost‑sharing framework so the approach can guide future regional grant and study work.