Voters in Hibbing approved funding for public safety center

Voters in Hibbing have said yes to a half percent sales tax to pay for a new regional public safety center.

The referendum was approved by a margin of 4,456  (56%) to 3,560 (44%). All election results are unofficial.

It will be home for both the fire department and police department. Both are operating out of buildings that are too small for their current size.

The city has secured $10 million dollars already in bonding money.

“The passage of this referendum is a significant step forward for our community,” said Mayor Pete Hyduke. “We are grateful to the voters for their support. This funding will enable us to enhance the efficiency and coordinated response of essential public safety services in a modern facility designed to meet the needs of our first responders.”

A new regional public safety center will provide a safe, healthy work environment, sufficient space for staff, equipment, gear and evidence processing and storage, larger bays for fire trucks, indoor parking for police vehicles, and improved emergency response planning and training. The facility will also serve as a central hub for community outreach programs.

The city will invest $29.6 million in a new regional public safety center. State bonding dollars will cover $10 million of the project cost, and the half-percent local sales tax will provide $19.6 million.

The local sales tax will be in effect for 20 years, or until $19.6 million plus an amount equal to interest and the costs to issue any bonds to finance the project are collected, whichever happens first.