The start of 2025 has brought in new and returning faces to the Washington County Board of Commissioners as oaths of office were administered on January 7, according to an official press release from the county. Among those sworn in was Bethany Cox for District 3, with Fran Miron reelected for District 1, the county's website, WashingtonCountyMN.gov, reported. Stan Karwoski steps up as the board chair and Karla Bigham has been elected as vice chair for the upcoming year.
In addition to the swearing-in, the board's meeting schedule for 2025 was established and Tina Elam, Communications Manager, can provide further details at the county website for those interested; the county board also made headlines as they accepted a Cannabis and Substance Use Prevention grant from the Minnesota Department of Health, the grant which totals $199,076 will bolster education and recovery programs against substance misuse through June 30, 2026, as specified by the county's Public Health and Environment Director David Brummel.
The generosity of local residents shone through with a $1,000 donation made by Jackie Marshall to the county's Sheriff's Office K9 Unit, which will be allocated for new equipment for the unit's team starting their training in February, Commander-Patrol Division Sara Halverson explained. Furthermore, the county is set to get a digital facelift, with the board approving a $283,875 contract for a website redesign helmed by Bright Penny Creative, LLC to enhance users' online experience, aligning with federal accessibility standards and implementing prior website evaluation recommendations.
With eyes also on legislative matters, the County Board presented their 2025 legislative platform advocating for various funding requests and state support, touching on infrastructure projects to trail lighting, and including a proposed simplification to the MnCHOICES assessment process, Deputy County Administrator Jan Lucke highlighted. Portfolios of committee, commission, and joint power board assignments for commissioners were also adopted, mapping out their roles and responsibilities for 2025 spanning local, metropolitan, and even national levels on various advisory groups as detailed by Administrative Assistant Holly Hess.
