2026 Board Priorities
Priority categories
- Implement the Library Strategic Plan.
- Advance the Arts Blueprint.
- Update Parks Operational Plans.
- Review Comprehensive Plan requirements and provide direction on scope and extent of plan update.
- Deliver public assistance benefits within state required timelines.
- Complete MnCHOICES Assessment within state required timelines.
- Develop more youth placement options and alternatives to placement options (with metro collaboration).
- Review and refine the housing business plan.
- Pilot existing .5 FTE social worker stationed at Wentworth Library.
- Partner well with cities and counties.
- Collaborate with Community Development Agency (CDA) and partners on development.
- Design and implement new website.
- Provide more online/self-service options in our services using Artificial Intelligence.
- Create more financial and budget engagement (ex. Interactive Budget Books, additional Budget Open House events).
- Facilitate development of Family Resource Centers.
- Investigate and pursue health care access for uninsured or under-insured residents.
- Complete an assessment of the health care model in the jail.
- Improve safety at high crash rate locations based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Crash Rate Index.
- Improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists based on high and medium priority County Highway Pedestrian and Bicycle Gaps.
- Fair, efficient and accurate 2026 elections.
- Deliver 2026 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects on time and in budget.
- Complete Byllesby Dam turbines.
- Audit current energy and emission processes to determine opportunities.
- Implement new Solid Waste Management Plan.
- Implement 2050 Parks System Plan.
- Confirm current compensation strategy and desired outcomes.
- Continue to assess and implement inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) strategies.
- Identify program and service areas with highest disparities for study and potential future action.
- Maintain overall facilities rating at “fair" and plan to return to “good" based on the Facility Condition Index (FCI).
- Collaborate with other counties to ensure interests are adequately represented.
- Develop 5-year financial plan that achieves the following goals:
- Eliminate the structural deficit.
- Increase reserves to be within the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) range (35-50%).
- Provide reliable funding for service and program priorities of the board.
- Prepare for and implement state and federal funding cuts.
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