Funding Provides Big Enforcement for Small Town

STAPLES, Minn. (05 December 2018) – Those with a heavy foot beware. The city of Garrison is taking action against speeding with three electronic signs to assist in enforcement.

Nestled on the west side of Mille Lacs Lake where State Highway 18 and U.S. Highway 169 form a “Y,” the small city of 212 people does not have its own police department. Deputy Clerk Amy Vukelich says Garrison had to do something.

In fall of 2017, Garrison purchased three digital speed signs to place at each entrance to the city. The signs are powered by solar energy and batteries. To make the purchase possible, the city gathered donations from civic groups and secured $2,500 in Sourcewell Small Project Partnership funds.

Small Project Partnership funding is available to cities, counties, townships, schools, and nonprofits throughout Region 5. With an intent to help support smaller local projects, funding of up to $2,500 is provided as a financial match based on the size of the organization.

With the help of the speed signs, drivers are made aware of the speed limit and their current speed.

“Already, we feel they've made a huge difference,” says Vukelich. “You're always going to have speeders; they're not going to follow speed limit signs. But, for the average person, when you're driving and you see it says 35 and [the sign shows] you're going 45, you're going to slow down.”

Vukelich anticipates these signs to be especially instrumental during the busier months of the year when tourism exponentially increases the city's population.

“Having these signs in place, we feel like we're doing something,” says Vukelich. “When that funding through Sourcewell became available, we thought this was fabulous. It truly was a godsend. It came about at a great time for us and we really appreciate it.”

To learn more about Small Project Partnership Funding, visit www.sourcewell-mn.gov.