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Isanti County reviews outreach plan for proposed highway facility tied to local sales tax
Summary
Consultants from Kraus Anderson briefed the county on a summer outreach campaign tied to a potential local sales tax to fund a new highway facility, proposing town halls, fairs, facility tours and FAQ materials; commissioners asked for clearer safety attribution, local newspaper coverage and a note about the purchased site location.
Megan Liffer of Kraus Anderson opened the county briefing with a messaging principle — "A confused mind always says no" — and laid out an engagement strategy for a potential local sales tax-backed highway facility project. Sarah Van Petten, also of Kraus Anderson, described a summer schedule of public events (Touch-a-Truck in May, a June–July campaign kickoff if the sales tax is authorized, fair appearances in July and an open-house facility tour in September) and a suite of communications tools including website FAQs, social posts, mailed materials and short videos.
The presentations emphasized clear, consistent messaging and outreach to multiple pockets of the county. Van Petten said the campaign materials would be built out as decisions are finalized and that the team would avoid publishing a project cost estimate until design and bidding provide reliable numbers. "We will start that with our real kickoff of the campaign" if the local option sales tax is approved, she said, and noted the plan to coordinate timing with county staff.
Several commissioners requested specific additions to the outreach plan. One asked that the county tap local newspapers and large community events — citing the rodeo and Pie Days — to reach residents who prefer print or attend those gatherings. Another pressed the consultants to make clear in materials who performed the facility condition review, and to highlight employee safety and any OSHA-related concerns rather than relying on a bare statement that the building "has served the county well for more than 75 years." Commissioner comments also sought clarity on whether the outreach should disclose the planned site; staff and consultants said the county already purchased land and that location information and rationale could be added to FAQs.
Board members debated wording and framing: one commissioner warned staff to avoid the phrase "local option" in outreach because state guidance discouraged that wording, suggesting instead "local sales tax." Consultants agreed to adjust phrasing and to make the FAQ a "living document" that will be refined as the campaign proceeds.
Next steps: Kraus Anderson will refine outreach materials, incorporate commissioner feedback (including local media outreach, event coverage and clearer attribution of professional assessments), and provide a more fully developed packet and FAQ for the board and the July campaign launch planning. Public comment on any draft will be available at the next board meeting.
