Local Officials Ponder Effects If State Shuts Down

Three weeks before Minnesota's budget impasse could force a state government shutdown, local officials in Fridley and Anoka County are weighing what effects a shutdown would have locally.

Shutdown scenarios—which "essential services" would continue and which services wouldn't—are no more certain than whether there will in fact be a shutdown.

Checks Cut Early
Fridley City Manager William Burns speculated by email Tuesday that state staff might not be available to process current-year Local Government Aid (LGA) payments to cities.

Burns also wondered about state agencies that aid in law enforcement and criminal justice: "Should the shutdown include the State’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) it could impact their processing of DNA for our Police Department."

According to Fridley Public Works Director Jim Kosluchar, state money for road projects would come before July 1: "MnDOT (Minnesota Department of Transportation) has advised that MSAS (Municipal State Aid Street) maintenance payments will go out prior to June 30 to avoid delay due to potential shutdown."

Imperiled Spiderweb?
Anoka County Emergency Management Director Terry Stoltzman had a range of questions. If there is a wildfire, he wondered aloud in an interview, "is the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) available to give a copter?"

Stoltzman voiced similar concerns about state agencies that normally help with "chemical incidents."

He described the delivery of government services as a "spiderweb" that involves state agencies from DNR and MnDOT to the State Patrol, state parks and more. "We're in the middle," Stoltzman said.

One consolation: Anoka County and cities in the county can do some things on their own. State help wasn't required in the county's reponse to , Stoltzman said.