The Environmental Service Fee Appeals Panel is vested with the responsibility for hearing and deciding appeals relating to the environmental service fee. The panel consists of seven members appointed by the County Board and includes one representative from the County Auditor-Treasurer's Office, the Assessor's Office, the Environmental Services Department, the Tri-County Solid Waste Management Commission and two citizen members – one representing business and one representing the citizens of the County.
The Ordinance Review Committee is appointed by the Stearns County Board of Commissioners for the purpose of working with staff and our consultant to review and draft a new land use and zoning ordinance. This draft will be presented to the public at a number of public meetings sometime after the first of the year (2010).
The Board of Commissioners is the policy-making body; adopting rules and policies, setting a budget and levy, approving a capital improvement plan, making land-use decisions and ensuring citizen concerns are met. The Board of Commissioners appoints a County Administrator to oversee policy implementation, Department Directors and daily operations of the County. In addition, Commissioners appoint the Human Services Director, County Assessor, Environmental Services Director, Highway Engineer, Parks Director and Veterans Service Officer. The Board also selects representatives to serve on other County boards and committees.
Major responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
a. Establishing a budget and levying taxes to finance County services.
b. Providing assistance to constituents as their elected representative.
c. Appointing members to County Board committees (with the exception of elected officials).
d. Serving on the Board of Health as well as several other committees and boards.
e. Managing county roads, buildings, and property.
f. Planning land use within the county
g. Authorizing expenditures.
h. Serving as employer for County personnel.
The Board functions as the legislative and administrative head of Stearns County. The powers of the Board are outlined in Minnesota Statutes. The management and control of County property and the transaction of business affairs of the County are vested in the Board.
Learn more about the Board of Commissioners.
Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) has two broad areas of activity; housing and community economic development. The HRA has five representatives, one from each Commissioner District. Appointments are made by the County Board.