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Adopt-A-Highway | Be a Foster parent | Be a Respite Care provider | Become an Election Judge | Corrections Volunteer Opportunities | Drive for Others | Elections & Voter Registration | Notary/Official Filings | Online Discussions | Serve on a Citizen Committee | Teen Court
Citizens are the Government Brochure
Apply online today!
We need your input! Citizens from throughout the County serve on advisory committees and task forces to review programs and services offered by Blue Earth County. Recommendations from these groups are brought to the Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners, providing for direct participation by the residents of the County in formulating policy and evaluation programs.
Blue Earth County is looking for citizens of all ages who are interested in serving on the committees and task forces listed below. High school students can apply online through the Youth Voice In Government program.
Park Advisory Board
Human Services Advisory Committee
Social Services Task Force
Mental Health Task Force
Community Corrections Advisory Board
Extension Committee
Recycling Education Committee
Environmental Services Advisory Committee
Planning Commission
Board of Adjustment
Park Advisory Board
(typically meets three times a year)
The Park Advisory Board is appointed by the Blue Earth County Board of
Commissioners to advise them and the Park Department. The input the Park
Advisory Board provides can be used to create policy, establish rules
and direction for Park Department management and development. Call 304-4025
or e-mail Alan Forsberg
for more information.
Human Services Advisory Committee
(typically meets monthly the second Thursday at 6 p.m.)
Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue
Earth County Commissioners. This committee is authorized in law to fulfill
specific responsibilities in relation to a County's operation of its Human
Services programs. The purpose of the committee is to provide input to
the County Board relating to service developments, priorities, budgeting
and evaluation within the Human Services Department. This includes the
program areas of mental health, community health, social services and
financial assistance. Call (507) 304-4064 or email Noelle
Stenzel for more information.
Social Services Task Force
(typically meets monthly the first Monday at 5:15 p.m.)
Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue
Earth County Commissioners. This group is authorized as part of the Human
Services Act which provides partial definition of how services will be
provided in Blue Earth County. Members of this task force provide community
input on policies and services related to child protection, child and
adult foster care, volunteer services, adoption, family based services,
senior transportation, developmental disabilities, child care funding,
sexual violence and chemical dependency. Call (507) 304-4064 or email
Noelle Stenzel
for more information.
Mental Health Task Force
(typically meets monthly the first Thursday at 6 p.m.)
Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue
Earth County Commissioners. This group is authorized by the Adult and
Children's Mental Health Acts in Minnesota statutes and has specific responsibilities
to fulfill as they advise the County Board. Members of this task force
provide community input on policies, treatment and services related to
individual needs such as personal adjustment, marital adjustment, parent-child
relationships, child and adolescent therapy, problems associated with
aging, legal commitments and aftercare as well as case management for
persons with serious and persistent mental illness. Call (507) 304-4064
or email Noelle Stenzel
for more information.
Community Corrections Advisory Board
(typically meets the second Friday at 7:30 a.m.)
Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue
Earth County Commissioners. The Corrections Advisory Board gives advice,
review programs, and makes recommendations on Corrections Programs that
serve the citizens of Blue Earth County, i.e probation. This Advisory
Committee is responsible for writing the annual comprehensive corrections
plan for Blue Earth County. The Committee consists of citizen members
and some mandated professional members. Statutory reference is Minnesota
Statues 401.08 . Call (507) 344-3707 or email Tony
Knapp for more information.
Extension Committee
(typically meets bi-monthly)
Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue
Earth County Commissioners. The Extension Committee has four main responsibilities:
program development and evaluation, budget recommendations, staff hiring
and evaluation, and promotion of the Extension program. The Extension
program is an informal educational outreach program of the University
of Minnesota, in partnership with Blue Earth County. Some of the audiences
include: farm families and businesses, youth (4-H and others), consumers,
limited-resource families, and gardeners. Call (507) 304-4325 or email
Jeannie Ward for
more information.
Recycling Education Committee
(typically meets the first Monday at 4:30 p.m.)
Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue
Earth County Commissioners. The Recycling Education Committee makes recommendations
on recycling and waste reduction in Blue Earth County. During these meetings
action plans are made for projects, displays and presentations. Committee
members also participate in events such as parades, school presentations,
Earth Day, County Fair, home shows, etc. Call (507) 304-4381 or email
Jean Lundquist
for more information.
Environmental Services Advisory Committee
(typically meets every other month on the third Thursday at 3:45 p.m.)
Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue
Earth County Commissioners. The Environmental Services Advisory Committee
provides advice and recommendations on Environmental Services issues.
This committee works to identify community environmental needs, assists
in the development of goals and policies, reviews state and federal regulations
to assess the potential effect on the county, and acts as a resource for
public contact. Call (507) 304-4381 or email Scott
Fichtner for more information.
Planning Commission
(typically meets the first Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.)
The Commission is responsible for holding public hearings to consider
ordinances and ordinance amendments, review land development requests,
and to forward recommendations to the County Board of Commissioners for
final approval of land-use issues. Call (507) 304-4381 or email George Leary for more information.
Board of Adjustment
(typically meets as needed on the first Wednesday at 7 p.m.)
This board is a quasi-judicial body that makes decisions when citizens
appeal for variances, or exceptions, to the County's existing land-use
regulations. Call (507) 304-4381 or email George Leary for more information.
