'Green' is a go for jail

The Carlton County Board of Commissioners on Monday voted unanimously to build the proposed jail and justice center next to the Carlton County Transportation Building. Requested by Twin Lakes Township official Diane Felde-Finke, a motion by commissioner Dick Brenner in support for the “green site” passed with no discussion or dissent.

The 20-acre site is just northeast of the current Transportation Building along old Highway 61 in Twin Lakes Township. Engineers and architects have projected that the site is relatively level, sandy, and does not have wetland issues. An estimated $4 million in site preparation costs would saved versus the current rocky courthouse area in Carlton.

The county surveyor’s crew just studied the site at the beginning of the week and created a legal description for the construction plan, which is needed for the City of Carlton and township officials to hold public hearings and approve an annexation of the entire site into Carlton, because state law requires certain county jails and courts and the sheriff’s office be located in the county seat.

Final approval for the annexation will come from the city council and town board members and will not require a vote by residents.