SMSC to pay Prior Lake $100k more under new aid agreement

Prior Lake American

The city of Prior Lake has approved a new local government aid agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, which includes $100,000 more in voluntary payments compared to a previous agreement. 

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community will pay the city of Prior Lake $500,000 in 2018, primarily for police services. Approximately 16 percent of the Prior Lake Police Department's calls annually are on the tribal land. The call load could increase with the expansion of Mystic Lake Hotel Casino, which is expected to be completed in early 2018. 

Under the new agreement, approved by the Prior Lake City Council Dec. 11, the community will pay the city $530,000 in 2019. 

"This agreement is emblematic of the ever-growing, close, collaborative working relationship between the SMSC and the city of Prior Lake," Prior Lake Mayor Kirt Briggs said in a statement.

The community has made voluntary payments to the city through the government aid agreements for more than 20 years for police and fire protection, though the community created its own fire department in 2008.

The agreement doesn't include the $70,000 the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community will contribute toward a jointly funded drug task force officer.

The 2018 city budget, which was approved by the council on Dec. 4, includes the addition of one full-time police officer, a part-time community service officer and funding for the full-time drug task force officer.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has also contributed field lighting for Ryan Park, an ice arena used by Prior Lake youth and schools, Pike Lake and County Road 21 trails, the skateboard park and amphitheater at Lakefront Park, use of a mobile command truck and public safety equipment including automated external defibrillators, according to a news release from the city. 

In other action at the Dec. 11 meeting, the council:

• Approved the purchase of a new fire truck for more than $642,000 and up to $647,000. The base truck from Rosenbauer is more than $607,000 with the extra costs coming from additional equipment. The new truck replaces a truck bought in 1993. The replacement was identified in the city's capital improvement plan.

• Held public hearings on approving improvements for the Woodside and Huron neighborhood street improvements and the Franklin Trail street reclamation project.

• Approved a business-subsidy agreement so a new restaurant could be built in downtown Prior Lake.