Other local aid money to be disbursed

Governor Tim Walz announced on Thursday, Dec. 21, that the Department of Revenue will send $300 million in public safety aid to local governments this week. 

“This funding will allow public safety officials to invest in the things that matter most to their communities, whether that’s officer recruitment and retention, a new ambulance, or fire and rescue equipment,” said Governor Walz. “I want to give a special thank you to Minnesota’s law enforcement and public safety officials this holiday season, who never take a day off from keeping their residents safe.”

Public safety departments can use the aid for public safety initiatives such as recruitment and retention, equipment costs, mental health crisis responses, victim​ services, and first responder wellness and training programs.

At the county level, Becker County will receive $996,097 and Otter Tail County will receive $1,560,356.

Frazee will receive $58,157, while Vergas is expected to get $15,272.

Other area towns:

• Detroit Lakes $437,165

• Perham $156,487

• Dent $7,483

• Callaway $8,446

• Ottertail $28,128.

• Wolf Lake $3,063

Also going out this week are the second half payments of more than $1.2 billion in other state aid, including County Program Aid (CPA), Local Government Aid (LGA), and Town Aid. County and local governments can use these funds to pay for basic needs such as local roads and public safety. They also can help relieve the burden of local property taxes. During the historic 2023 legislative session, lawmakers invested an additional $80 million annually in LGA and CPA to be paid starting in July 2024.

“These aid programs are important investments that impact all Minnesotans,” said Minnesota Department of Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquart. “These programs take into consideration multiple factors to ensure that these aid amounts are dispersed in an equitable manner that tries to reflect the diversity and uniqueness we see in communities in every corner of the state.”

The total certified aid amounts for 2023 include:

• $564,398,012 in Local Government Aid

• $300,000,000 in One-time Public Safety Aid

• $264,374,444 in County Program Aid

• $20,250,000 in Statewide Affordable Housing Aid

• $20 million in Local Homeless Prevention Aid

• $15 million in Soil and Water Conservation District Aid

• $10 million in Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid

• $9,611,507 in Town Aid

• $8 million in Riparian Protection Aid

• $3,646,777 in Out-of-Home Placement Reimbursement Aid

• $526,926 in Local Performance Reimbursement Aid

• $16,209 in Utility Valuation Transition Aid