Rep. Heather Keeler urges continued push for bonding, details juvenile-care priorities
Summary
State Rep. Heather Keeler told the Clay County Board the region secured $1,000,000 for a PRTF and is now focusing on bonding for a non‑secure juvenile facility; she asked counties to build legislative relationships and noted local match can include services as well as capital costs.
Representative Heather Keeler told the Clay County Board of Commissioners that work begun in the prior legislative session has produced a $1,000,000 allocation for the psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) and that the next priority is a bonded, non‑secure juvenile detention center. "We were able to get the $1,000,000 dedicated to the PRTF," Keeler said, adding that the region’s work has drawn interest statewide.
Keeler described the current session as a short, policy‑and‑bonding year that begins Feb. 18 and emphasized the practical hurdles for bonding: a supermajority requirement and attention to how local match is structured. "Originally we thought the match had to be brick and mortar," she said. "We've been able to provide the match through the services that we're going to be providing." Keeler asked commissioners to continue relationship building with legislators and neighboring counties to broaden support.
Commissioners asked whether North Dakota jurisdictions were being pursued as partners. Keeler and board members said discussions so far are focused on Minnesota counties, with Cass County named as a previous partner for secure placements, and that North Dakota participation has been limited by space and demand. One commissioner pressed about the dollar figure for the bonding ask; Keeler and board members referenced a figure in the high tens of millions but discussed the ask as a multi‑component request that includes staffing as part of the match.
Keeler also raised local policy possibilities tied to cross‑border impacts, noting long‑term strain on county roads from heavy users of local gravel pits and suggesting the board continue exploring responses while recognizing Commerce Clause limits. "We could explore that a little bit more," she said of possible options, and urged counties to monitor committee dockets and testify virtually when bills affect county costs.
The board expressed appreciation for Keeler’s ongoing engagement and weekly updates; several commissioners noted they have met repeatedly with the representative and thanked her for bipartisan outreach. Keeler closed by asking counties to notify her as other jurisdictions join the effort and to help build support in the House and Senate.
