Metropolitan Energy Policy Coalition (MEPC)

County Professional Organizations

Minnesota County Attorneys Association (MCAA)

The mission of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association is to provide leadership on legal and public policy issues related to the duties of the county attorney; to enhance communication and cooperation between county attorneys and the judiciary, county government, the bar and other public and private organizations concerned with the administration of justice; provide training, education and support to county attorneys and support staff and; to foster professionalism and competency among the offices of county attorneys in Minnesota by providing a forum for communication and cooperation. Membership: 650

Contact: John Kingrey, MCAA Executive Director
100 Empire Drive, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55103-1885
651-641-1600, fax 651-641-1666, jkingrey@mcaa-mn.org

Minnesota State Sheriff’s Association (MSA)

From its beginning in 1885, the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association established its purpose to educate and train. To that end, the Association has sponsored training to benefit the law enforcement community in Minnesota. It has provided technical assistance and made resource information available to its members in the development of department policy and procedure. The Association has developed a liaison with state legislators to offer technical assistance in the development of legislation. Training in the areas of jail development, jail operations, jail administration, civil process, criminal investigation and law, crime prevention and crime victims programs is offered annually. The overall goal of the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association is to provide professional law enforcement services to the citizens of Minnesota. Membership: 87

Contact: James Franklin, MSSA Executive Director
1951 Woodlane Drive Suite 200, Woodbury, MN 55125
651-451-7216, fax: 651-451-8087, info@mnsheriffs.org

The Minnesota Association of County Administrators is affiliated with the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC). MACA assists AMC on matters having an impact on county government; acts as a forum for sharing knowledge, information and experience among the members of the Association; assists AMC member counties with the establishment or improvement of effective county administration in Minnesota; and encourages continued educational and training opportunities in county administration. Members: 65 (includes associate administrators and emeritus members)

Contact: Sharon Hanson, Pipestone County Administrator, 2012 MACA President

sharon.hanson@co.pipestone.mn.us

The Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators is a statewide association made up of county public social service directors or other administrative designees. The Association has been in existence since 1946 and is representative of all 87 Minnesota counties. The purpose of the Association is to gather, study and disseminate facts and information regarding the enactment and implementation of state and federal social/welfare legislation. The Association develops and adopts position statements on issues affecting the administration of public welfare and advocates those positions on a statewide basis. The Association sustains a partnership with the Department of Human Services for the purpose of improving the development and implementation of social/welfare programs and provides for information exchange and relationship building among counties. Membership: 135 (county directors and staff)

Contact: Eric Ratzmann, Director

AMC, 125 Charles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55103

651-789-4340, fax: 651-224-6540, ratzmann@mncounties.org

Membership in the Minnesota County Engineers Association (MCEA) includes county engineers from all 87 counties plus various assistant engineers who are also registered professional engineers. The primary purpose of the MCEA is to promote closer cooperation and improved relations among county engineers and other organizations in the solution of mutual problems dealing with the state’s transportation system. The objective of the Association is to provide the highest quality professional county engineer services possible to the counties of the state of Minnesota. Membership: 101 (includes assistants).

Contact: Dave Robley, Douglas County Engineer

320-763-6001, dave.robley@mail.co.douglas.mn.us

The Minnesota Association of Community Corrections Act Counties (MACCAC) is a voluntary membership association of counties, which have chosen to deliver all correctional services through Minnesota Statute 401 (Community Corrections Act). The organization is governed by a board of directors chosen from the delegates appointed by each jurisdiction. Delegates may be county commissioners, members of the CCA advisory boards or staff of the county. The Association is dedicated to furthering the goals of the Community Corrections Act through local, state and federal policies. As of 1999, 30 of the 31 CCA jurisdictions belong to MACCAC.

Contact: Ryan Erdmann, Director

AMC, 125 Charles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55103

651-789-4345-3344, fax: 651-224-6540, erdmann@maccac.org

The objective of MCHRMA is to promote the advancement of professional human resource management practices in county government. The organization is a forum for sharing knowledge, information, and experience among the members of the Association; assists AMC member counties with the establishment or improvement of effective county human resource administration; and encourages continued education and training in county human resource and labor relations administration.

Contact: Dana Hedberg, Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust

100 Empire Drive, Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55103-1885

651-209-6400, fax: 651-209-6496, dhedberg@mcit.org

The Minnesota Association of Assessing Officers is an organization that furthers the work of assessment personnel by advancing practical assessment procedures, improving the standard of assessment practices and informing the public and assessment personnel on assessment functions and appraisal processes. MAAO also actively engages in the promotion and coordination of assessing education in the state of Minnesota. Membership: 650+ (state, city, county, staff appraisers)

Contact: Stephen Behrenbrinker, St. Cloud Assessor

320-650-3352, stephen.behrenbrinker@ci.stcloud.mn.us

The County Veterans Service Officer was established by Minnesota Statutes to assist veterans in securing benefits provided by law as a result of the service of any member in the armed forces of the United States Military. Minnesota Statutes directs each county board to appoint a Veterans Service Officer and it shall be the duty of the Veterans Service Officer to aid all residents of the governmental subdivision by which he/she is employed in securing benefits provided by law on account of the service of any person in the armed forces of the United States, from which he/she has a discharge other than dishonorable.

The Veterans Service Officer must pursue accreditation according to Minnesota Statutes 197.604, subd. 4. and is required to attend ongoing educational programs regarding the rules and regulations in state and federal laws and must pass an annual certification examination to be accredited.

Contact: Jim Golgart, MACVSO President
Veterans Service Officer, Le Sueur County, 88 S Park Ave, Le Center, MN 56057
507-357-8279, jgolgart@co.le-sueur.mn.us

MACPZA was formed in 1973 to offer a platform for county planning and zoning administrators to share ideas and promote land use planning. The organization also provides a program of continuing education and professional development for its members and provides for discussion on legislative and rule making issues. The Association issues four newsletters per year and sponsors or co-sponsors a minimum of four workshops each year. Membership: 109 (county and non-county members)

Contact: Annalee Garletz, Policy Analyst

AMC, 125 Charles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55103

651-789-4322, fax: 651-224-6540, garletz@mncounties.org

MACPO is a non-profit organization committed to the improvement of probation expansion of the professional probation/parole and adjunctive services to the and parole practices at all levels. MACPO supports the preservation and courts of Minnesota; provides a vehicle for sharing solutions to common problems in providing those services to the courts; fosters the development of necessary knowledge and skills through educational and training programs; aids in the development of correctional practices, services, and programs for juvenile and adult offenders; and initiates legislative and procedural changes concerning correctional issues. Membership: 280 (includes local and state employees)

Contact: Margaret Munson

10 2nd St. NW, Room 402, Buffalo, MN 55313

763-682-7305, fax 763-682-7943, margaret.munson@co.wright.mn.us

The MSWAA represents and promotes the interests of county and district solid waste administrators and promotes environmentally sound and cost effective waste management systems. The goals for the Association include sponsorship of educational workshops; increase the awareness of local solid waste management initiatives; initiate and/or support needed action on specific solid waste and related issues and, to foster communication between local and state solid waste professionals. Membership: 50

Contact:  Randy Kiser, Hennepin County Environmental Services

417 North Fifth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401

612-348-5889, randy.kiser@co.hennepin.mn.us

The Minnesota Association of County Surveyors (MACS) is a proactive group that represents land surveyors working for Minnesota local governments. Our primary responsibility is to maintain the public land survey system through research and remonumentation. MACS works closely with other governmental officials to provide professional surveying services, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) creation and maintenance services, and legislative support as it pertains to land surveying and GIS issues. Membership: 47

Contact: Terry Johnson, Chisago County Surveyor

313 N Main Street, Center City, MN 55012

651-213-0711, fax: 651-213-0772

The mission of MAPCED is to promote the role of counties in fostering economic growth to achieve job creation, an expanded tax base and to enhance the quality of life.

Contact:

AMC, 125 Charles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55103

651-789-4339, fax: 651-224-6540

The Minnesota Association of County Land Commissioners (MACLC) was formally organized in 1984. The county land commissioner has the primary responsibility of administering its county tax forfeited urban and rural lands that have been reverted to a public trust from private ownership due to non-payment of real estate taxes. Legislation provides that the title is held by the state in trust for the taxing districts (county, school districts and townships) with provision for county administration. Minnesota counties manage 32% of the commercial forestlands managed by public agencies, which is 17% of all commercial forested lands in the state. From these lands, the counties supply 35% of all wood commercially harvested from public agency lands in Minnesota, which equates to 13.9% when all ownership is considered. In addition to retaining 2.8 million acres of land, most of which is in dedicated Memorial Forests and nearly all of which is open for public entry, counties also make substantial provisions for recreation and other public services for the people of Minnesota. Membership: 15 NE Minnesota forested counties

Contact: Gregory J Bernu, Carlton County Land Commissioner

1630 Co. Rd. 61, Carlton, MN  55718

218-384-9179

greg.bernu@co.carlton.mn.us

MNCITLA supports county technology leaders through enhanced communications efforts between counties and with state departments and other public sector organizations.    The goal is to present a unified point of contact with the state and other public sector organizations for information technology related issues and disseminate information to all members.  In addition, MNCITLA is committed to sharing information and systems applications between counties to further cost-effectiveness in member organizations.

Minnesota County Geographic Information Systems Association (MCGISA)
Minnesota County Geographic Information Systems Association (MCGISA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance GIS technology in Minnesota county governments by providing professional leadership and support. The Association goals include fostering awareness, collaboration and coordination among county, regional, state and federal officials; cultivate leadership and professional development through workshops, seminars, and meetings; and to provide a forum to share knowledge, information and experience among members.

Contact: Gloria Stevenson

GIS & Land Services, Todd County

347 Central Ave, Ste 1. Long Prairie, Mn 56347

320-732-4248

gloria.stevenson@co.todd.mn.us

MCIT is a joint powers organization formed under Minnesota Statutes 471.59 and 471.981 to provide a mechanism for counties to collectively self-insure workers’ compensation and property/casualty. MCIT is open to any governmental unit or political subdivision allowed by law but only serves local government. MCIT is governed by a board of directors made up of county commissioners, county auditors and county administrators who are elected and appointed to the board. MCIT is a sponsored organization of the Association of Minnesota Counties.

Membership: 436 (counties, SWCDs, collaboratives and joint powers organizations).

Contact: Robyn Sykes, MCIT Executive Director

100 Empire Drive, Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55103-1885

Toll Free: 866.547.6516, Local: 651.209.6400, fax: 651.209.6496, rsykes@mcit.org, www.mcit.org

The Metropolitan Inter-County Association is a voluntary joint powers organization of the metropolitan counties in Minnesota. The Association is a vehicle for planning and implementing projects and programs of similar interest to member counties. Currently, the MICA membership comprises a major portion of the state’s population and an enormous share of its industrial and high-tech resources. MICA counties are situated in five of six metro areas in Minnesota as follows: Anoka, Blue Earth, Carver, Dakota, Olmsted, Rice, St. Louis, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Washington and Winona.

Contact: Keith Carlson, Executive Director

161 St. Anthony Avenue, Suite 850, St. Paul, MN 55103

651-222-8737, fax: 651-222-8747, mail@mica.org

The Minnesota Rural Counties Caucus is dedicated to promoting and protecting rural concerns and rural lifestyles. It is a new and growing organization that continues to add new members who recognize rural counties must organize to revitalize rural Minnesota. Through the MRCC, rural counties have established a communications network within the Association of Minnesota Counties where they can develop and promote issues important to rural counties.

Contact: Dan Larson, MRCC Administrator

5077 144th Street West, St. Paul, MN 55124

952-423-7218, fax: 952-423-9217, dan27@frontiernet.net

The purpose of the Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative is to jointly and cooperatively provide for the establishment, operation and maintenance of data processing facilities and management information systems. MCCC provides services, software and other cost-effective measures that reduce the costs of data processing for members. Software provided by MCCC includes property tax, mass appraisal, law enforcement, corrections, public health management, financial, human resources and license center software. Membership: 86 (includes county agencies)

Contact: Lisa Meredith, MCCC Executive Director

100 Empire Drive, Suite 201, St. Paul, Minnesota 55103-1885

651-917-6969, Fax:  651-917-6989

MSSA provides leadership to enhance the lives of Minnesotans by supporting diversity, impacting public policy, and educating and communicating among human service professionals. MSSA individual members include human service professionals at every level - including board members, directors, social workers and direct line staff. MSSA’s grassroots legislative process produces an agenda with recommendations on a wide range of social service policy issues. The MSSA legislative committee and staff work to coordinate input from the Association’s broad based membership to influence public policy. A great deal of emphasis is placed on working with organizations such as AMC, whose legislative agenda shares much in common with that of MSSA. MSSA also provides high quality training and staff development programs including the largest, most comprehensive human service conference in the Midwest. Publications include the MSSA Voice, a monthly newsletter and Legislative Alerts emailed throughout the legislative session.

Contact: Rod Halvorson, Executive Director
125 Charles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55103
Main phone: 651-644-0556, Direct: 651-789-4327, fax: 651-224-6540, rod@mnssa.org

The Minnesota Transportation Alliance is a not-for-profit coalition of groups, businesses, labor and local governments concerned about surface transportation in Minnesota—including highways, bridges, streets and intermodal connections to transit, trucks, rail roads, barges, ships and airports. The mission of the Alliance is to ensure an effective statewide transportation system for Minnesota. The Alliance addresses issues for all modes of transportation through the leadership and active involvement of a broad-based membership. Membership: 700.

Contact: Margaret Donahue, Executive Director

525 Park Street, Suite 105, St. Paul, MN  55103-2186

651-659-0804, fax: 651-659-9009

It is the goal of the Minnesota Corrections Association (MCA) to: provide effective correctional programs and high professional standards of correctional practices; to assist in the educational and professional development of MCA members and; to influence legislative and administrative policymaking through participation of MCA members on advisory boards, task forces and government hearings. MCA is an affiliate of the American Correctional Association and of the American Probation and Parole Association. Membership: 1200 (local, state, federal, private sector corrections)

Contact:

1360 University Avenue West., #126 St. Paul, MN 55104

612.220.9049, fax: 651.204.2125, alison@mncorrections.org   

The Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs, Inc is a non-profit organization providing leadership and services that strengthen member agencies, improve service quality and foster a unified voice for service providers and clients. Membership: 31 member organizations

Contact: Ron Brand, Executive Director

1821 University Avenue West, Suite 350-S, St. Paul, MN 55104

651-642-1903, fax: 651-645-1399

The Minnesota Workforce Council Association (formerly Minnesota Job Training Partnership Association) was incorporated in 1994 and represents the interests of workforce councils and local elected officials in Minnesota. The Association provides a central forum for the partners to discuss common interests, develop policy consensus, share successful job training strategies and maintain lines of communication with state and federal governments. MWCA’s primary mission is to provide training and technical assistance to the Association membership and line staff providing the direct services to program participants. Membership: 51

Contact: Anne Olson, Director
AMC, 125 Charles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55103
651-789-4323, fax: 651-224-6540, aolson@mncounties.org

Established in 1955, the Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers (AMEM) is comprised of over 400 county, city and other emergency response planners throughout the state of Minnesota.  The association strives to develop a solid network of experienced Emergency Management professionals; foster and advocate the development of procedures and programs which advance disaster preparedness throughout Minnesota; insure a high caliber of training and professional development; and cultivate a professional society for its' members.

Contact: Jim Halstrom, Executive Director
Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers
38794 Sixth Ave., North Branch, MN 55056
651-674-5725; fax: 651-213-8955
jghalst@co.chisago.mn.us 

Minnesota Association of County Health Plans (MACHP)

As an unincorporated association of county-based purchasing plans, MACHP's membership consists predominantly of county officials or employees, as required for affiliate status under the AMC Bylaws. MACHP's primary purposes include:

• Strengthening public policy advocacy activities on behalf of members;

• Facilitating opportunities for CBP leaders and staff to meet, share information and collaborate;

3.   Allowing counties with an interest in CBP to participate in learning, networking, advocacy and advancement of CBP models; and 4. Facilitating joint purchasing of services and other mutually beneficial joint activities of CBP plans when appropriate.

Currently, MACHP's membership is comprised of the three existing county-based purchasing plans in Minnesota:

• Itasca Medical Care (IMCare) – serves approximately 6,000 members in Itasca County. IMCare is based in Grand Rapids.  For more information visit: www.imcare.org.   

• PrimeWest Health – serves 20,000 members in 13 rural counties in western and northern Minnesota, including Beltrami, Big Stone, Clearwater, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard McLeod, Meeker, Pipestone, Pope, Renville, Stevens, and Traverse.  Prime West is based in Alexandria.  For more information visit: www.primewest.org

• South Country Health Alliance – serves 31,000 members in 14 rural counties in southeastern and northern Minnesota, including Brown, Cass, Crow Wing, Dodge, Freeborn, Goodhue, Kanabec, Morrison, Sibley, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, and Waseca.  South Country is based in Owatonna. For more information visit: www.mnscha.org.

Contact: Sharon Oswald, MACHP Staff

33 South Sixth Street, Suite 3900

Minneapolis, MN 55402

Direct: 612-836-5514

Email: soswald@hh-lpac.com