Stillwater's local government is off to a bustling start in 2024, with the Washington County Board of Commissioners hitting the ground running on the second day of the new year. The board's meeting, held at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota, was a stage for a series of important decisions impacting a slew of community initiatives. They elected Commissioner Stan Karwoski as chairman, and Commissioner Fran Miron as vice-chair for the year, according to information on the county website.
In addition, the Board is ensuring the cogs of local government keep turning by filling seats for its advisory groups. It was also announced that Karen Keller will be taking a seat on the Community Corrections Advisory Board, while Faith Myers will continue her tenure on the Mental Health Local Advisory Committee. Following suit, a generous financial infusion of $211,637 annually has been awarded to the county by the Minnesota Department of Health to bolster response sustainability in the face of public health emergencies, a move welcomed by local officials and the community alike.
Washington County's children and teens will be bolstered by a $387,244 grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, ensuring comprehensive well-child care remains accessible. The grant, extending until the end of 2026, ensures that the youngest county residents receive the health care oversight they need. Furthermore, local conservation efforts will draw from a $291,200 contract with the Washington Conservation District, covering necessary environmental conservation services for the upcoming year despite, the increased cost due to inflation.
Beyond health and environment, the board is set on expanding green spaces, with the process beginning to fold an additional 685 acres into the Big Marine Park Reserve, a visionary expansion for the county's park system. As for practical day-to-day improvements, the Sheriff's Office will get a $1,500 boost from the Derrick Companies to support water recovery efforts, thanking them for mutual aid on an operation at Cedar Lake. On the labor front, the tentative agreements drafted for multiple employee groups promise wage and benefits increases to hundreds of county workers, ensuring they’re compensated more robustly in the years to come.
As the legislative session looms on the horizon, Washington County isn't resting on its laurels. Their adopted 2024 legislative platform sets out ambitious goals that include significant requests for state funding, which will boost the local infrastructure and public welfare projects. Key funds being sought include those for road improvement projects, trail expansions, and the proposed Washington County Public Works South Shop and Environmental Campus in Woodbury. With the Minnesota Legislature set to convene on February 12, the county's legislative liaison will be tasked with ensuring lawmakers are prepared to champion these local causes.
