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Clay County board opts for state designation of Heartland Trail to avoid local maintenance burden
Summary
After debate over costs and maintenance responsibilities, the Clay County Board voted to follow a state trail designation for the Heartland (Heartland) Trail to reduce the county's long-term fiscal commitment.
The Clay County Board of Commissioners voted to endorse a state designation for the proposed Heartland Trail alignment after commissioners said the county could not shoulder the maintenance and long-term funding burden of a regional designation.
Staff and MetroCOG representatives summarized the Heartland Trail study, presenting potential alignments and scenarios for state, regional or mixed designations. Commissioners expressed concern about maintenance responsibilities falling to the county's highway department and the county's limited parks-and-trails capacity. "If we were to go this regional approach, it could really cause some problems, financial problems for our county that we are in no shape to handle right now," Commissioner Campbell said.
Board members favored the state approach because it offers a clearer bonding and state funding path and reduces immediate county levy impacts. Several commissioners noted the trail's potential economic and recreational benefits but concluded that the county's fiscal constraints and lack of a dedicated parks-and-trails department made the state option preferable.
Action: Commissioner Bear moved to pursue the state trail designation; Commissioner Ebinger seconded and the board approved the motion on a voice vote.
Next steps: The board will provide its preference to the Heartland Trail Task Force and continue to participate in planning work coordinated with MetroCOG, the Minnesota DNR and partner jurisdictions.
