Anoka County is suing the state to stop plans to build a whitewater surf park on the Rum River at the expense of other transportation projects that money was slated for.
The state legislature allegedly took $6.2 million in county transportation money, meant for things like fixing roads, and gave it to the City of Anoka for a pedestrian bridge that would help make way for a controversial new surf park.
During a House special session back in June, Republican Representative Harry Niska, who represents part of Anoka, attempted to amend that bill.
"Well, Chair (Erin) Koegle referenced some of the backroom deals that were happening, and this is one of the backroom deals that's still in the bill." Niska claimed. "It's a it's a provision, a mandate on Anoka County to spend a portion of its sales tax on something that was never a bill that was presented to the legislature."
The County claims this was an unfair, behind-the-scenes deal for a "pet project" brought forward by DFL Representative Zach Stephenson that wastes taxpayer money.
Even though Stephenson, who represents the Anoka area, is named several times in the suit he is not listed as a defendant. Stephenson addressed these claims during a House session back in June and defended it.
"There's nothing about this that is as nefarious as he would indicate this is a project that received vetting in a committee that was included on the House floor vote," said Stephenson. "And that was agreed to in a signed spreadsheet by leaders and held out in the public."
Anoka County argues this move, which bypasses its own budget plans, is an abuse of power and that the state constitution doesn't allow the diverting of funds by the legislature without their approval.
The City of Anoka has been attempting to modernize the Rum River Dam area and say the project includes safety upgrades. The dam is just slightly upriver from where it meets the Mississippi.
Their proposal includes a new pedestrian and maintenance bridge connecting both sides of the river, a spot where surfers, paddleboarders, and kayakers ride a standing wave and tubers can take a leisurely float in a new recreational channel, and the conversion of an existing structure to allow pontoons and other watercraft to navigate the dam.