Minneapolis budget could lead to spendier settlement agreement

Minneapolis faces challenges in funding a project that community safety leaders deem necessary for reform.

An amendment in the city’s new budget has redirected $5.5 million from a proposed Public Safety Training and Wellness Center to pedestrian and bicyclist safety. This change has brought the project back to the drawing board and could jeopardize millions in state bonding dollars intended to help fund it.

“You hit this snag, hit this bump in a road, and it does get frustrating,” said Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette.

Despite the setback, Barnette remains hopeful.

“I think our first responders deserve that,” Barnette said, emphasizing the need for a new center to improve training and address mental health for first responders.

The project is estimated to cost $38 million, with half expected from the city and the other half from state bonding dollars.

Barnette explained that the center is necessary to meet reform requirements under a settlement agreement with the state — he also said it’s not just for police officers, but everyone under the Office of Community Safety umbrella, including firefighters and those in the 911 call center.

“Is there no other place to take care of this training and this wellness right now?” 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS reporter Ben Henry asked. 

“If you look at the facilities assessments that were done there, none of our facilities are adequate,” Barnette replied.

Council member Robin Wonsley has expressed concerns about the planning process, stating, “This body should not approve this project.” The council later diverted $5.5 million from the training center to pedestrian and bicyclist safety in the 2026 budget.

“These dollars are better invested into things we do know will have a measurable benefit for the public, like making investments into our traffic calming programs,” Wonsley said.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS attempted to contact Wonsley for further comments on the traffic projects and concerns about potential cost increases due to delays, but did not hear back.

Commissioner Barnette is worried about the risk to state dollars. “We’re trying to offset the things that we’re doing, and so you’re going to see increase in probably property tax,” he said.

The settlement agreement does not specifically mandate a new training facility or detail officer training methods, but requires the city to support the department’s efforts if current facilities are inadequate.