Goals and Objectives for 2012

As part of the budget process every year, Stearns County sets goals and priorities for the upcoming year. We strive to provide top-notch service in all our 17 departments.  Stearns County manages to keep spending low, ranking 86th out of 87 counties in total spending per capita, while providing an array of county services.  

Our foremost duty is protecting the public through the following: 

  • safety from crime on our streets
  • emergency 9-1-1 services
  • emergency and disaster planning and preparation
  • safe roads and bridges
  • housing of jail inmates
  • county attorney prosecution
  • child abuse protection
  • elderly and disabled care
  • help for the mentally ill and chemically dependent
  • probation supervision
  • restaurant and lodging inspections
  • disease protection through public health

There are numerous other critical services that Stearns County provides, such as: 

  • assistance to our veterans
  • licenses (drivers, marriage, fishing & hunting, motor vehicle, birth & death certificates, passports)
  • parks
  • solid waste services
  • elections
  • recording of property records
  • planning and zoning
  • water quality and feedlot planning

In addition to providing our core and most important services, there are additional objectives and goals that Stearns County has set for 2012.  Those are:

General

  • Prepare budget estimates that maintain a levy base similar to the 2011 levy.
  • Use retirement of key management personnel as an opportunity to review the County’s organizational structure.

Public Safety/Courts

  • Maintain the County’s Domestic Violence and Drug Courts.
  • Continue efforts to manage the size and scope of the County’s jail population.

Infrastructure

  • Develop a short and long term plan for the County’s criminal justice facilities (e.g. courts, jails, etc.).
  • Examine options for improving the long term utilization of the County Administration Center.
  • Complete construction of the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Parks

  • Work with the Rocori Trail Project Management Team to secure right of way and develop Phase I-A of the Trail.
  • Continue efforts to secure grants through the State’s Environmental Legacy Fund to upgrade and develop existing County parks and trails.

Technology

  • Accelerate development of key data processing systems for Human Services and County licensing and permits.
  • Develop more interactive features for the County’s web site.

Human Services

  • Identify additional funding sources.
  • Re-organize programming to reduce overall program costs.
  • Accelerate the implementation of new technology projects designed to maximize efficiencies.
  • Implement a Juvenile Justice Coordinating Committee to reduce out-of-home placement costs.
  • Implement Public Health Home Visiting Program.