Candidate for AMC Second Vice President - 2017

Karla_Bigham

Dear Fellow Commissioners and AMC Delegates:

Whether we are a rural, suburban, or an urban county, we face similar issues that impact our different counties.  I want to use my past experience in public office and my passion for the AMC organization to be your next Second Vice President.  Many challenges at the county level need solutions that affect residents:

  • Insufficient County Program Aid
  • Stagnant transportation funding
  • Inadequate access to broadband
  • Difficulty in implementation of buffer law requirements
  • Assistance for an opioid epidemic
  • Need for better access to mental health and chemical health services
  • Increased number of people with mental illness in our county jails 

Across the state, these issues impact our budgets and our communities.  Speaking with one voice to work toward solutions is why I want to be your next Second Vice President of AMC.

I have spent the last year hearing from county officials from across the state at district meetings/conferences and discussing issues we are facing in our communities.  It is inspirational to see the groups of committed public servants ready to resolve these issues in a collaborative matter.  Whether it is access to daycare and changes to the child protection reforms in rural Minnesota or traffic congestion in the urban area, we are one state and as an organization we need to speak with one voice.

I have been on the AMC Board of Directors since I was elected to the Washington County Board of Commissioners in 2014, and have continued to volunteer for additional responsibilities. I am currently the vice chair of the AMC Public Safety Committee.  I serve on the Minnesota Eligibility Technology Systems (METS) Work Group and the Safe and Secure Courthouse Grant Advisory Panel.  Last year, I served on AMC’s strategic plan working group.  Through NACO, I serve on the Justice and Public Safety Committee as well as the Next Gen and the Women of NACO organizations. 

AMC is an organization that is membership driven, so we need to invest in our members.  I would like to start using the role of Second Vice President as a mentor to new commissioners, as well as reengage veteran commissioners.  The association does a great job of providing leadership development for new and veteran commissioners alike, so we need to continue to build on that to ensure we are the best organization we can be!

As commissioners, we need the legislature to be a strong partner in serving our constituents.  Having served four years in the Minnesota House of Representatives, I know their process and procedures.  I want to use my experience and relationships as a former legislator to advance AMC’s legislative platform.  If given the opportunity to serve as Second Vice President, I would work tirelessly to speak with one voice to advance AMC’s legislative priorities. I was proud to sign onto AMC’s letter to the legislature encouraging them to pass a comprehensive transportation bill because all 87 counties in the state struggle with this issue.  We all need to work in a united front to provide the best services for our residents.

We are stronger when we speak with one voice, and it will be a priority of mine to retain our 100% county membership in AMC. Additionally, I will work to advance our strategic and governance plans we worked hard on last year.

Please contact me if you have any questions at 651-485-1886 or karla.bigham@co.washington.mn.us.    I humbly ask for your vote to be your next Second Vice President on December 6 at the AMC Annual Conference.

Sincerely,
Karla Bigham
Washington County Commissioner