As the 2020 election draws near, we sent out candidate surveys to better understand how our Central MN candidates hope to represent us. Because we are interested in building communities that emphasizes our shared sense of safety in hopes to decrease fear and suspicion of those who are different from us, we focused our questions on these issues. We will share the responses from all candidates who were gracious enough to share their vision for our communities. We hope the information helps you find candidates who will represent you in elected office.
This blog explores the Stearns County Commissioner race in District 4.
Leigh Lenzmeier
Candidate Leigh Lenzmeier did not answer the survey. He did send us the following resolution and wanted us to share it on this blog.
Stearns County
Guidelines for Requested Resolutions and Proclamations
The Stearns County Board is a nonpartisan body that does not advocate for positions or policies that do not have a direct, unambiguous and explicit relationship to the County’s programs, services, policies, or budgets. This policy provides the County Administration with guidelines in responding to requests for Resolutions. It outlines, in general, the reasons for Board proclamations and resolutions.
Ceremonial Proclamations and Resolutions are documents signed by the Board Chair and issued for:
- Public awareness
- Arts and cultural celebrations
- Special honors
Resolutions:
1. Resolutions for the County Board to take affirmative action on an item of County business such as:
- Approval of Board minutes, County policies, procedures, and guidelines
- Approval of the annual budget, budget amendments, to establish funds, to make large purchases
- Approval to advertise for bids and proposals, to enter into contracts and agreements
- Approval of interim or ad hoc committees to analyze issues
- Approval of appointments of some employees and appointments to various boards and committees
- Approval of comprehensive plan, rezoning, conditional use permits, findings of facts, and other zoning issues
- Approval of employment policies and union agreements
- Approval of commissioner’s salaries, approval of official newspaper, approval of official website, and other annual requirements
- Establishing or dissolution of Joint Powers Agreements
- Enacting a State of Emergency
- Other actions required by State or Federal law or policy.
2. Statements to Influence State and Federal Policy.
- Resolutions about State policy that are directly and explicitly related to the County budget, programs and services. For example, issues of importance raised by the Association of Minnesota Counties and the Minnesota Inter-County Association, and funding of local projects and initiatives.
- Resolutions about Federal policy that are directly and explicitly related to the County budget, programs and services. For example, issues of importance raised by the National Association of Counties and funding of local projects and initiatives.
Proclamations and Resolutions will not be issued for:
- Issues in which the County Board is not required by Federal law or policy, State law or policy, or local law or policy to act upon unless identified above. For example:
- Expressing an opinion on matters of political or ideological controversy
- Expressing an opinion on issues generally identified and known as supported by one political party and/or opposed by a political party
- Expressing an opinion or position on topics that have no direct, unambiguous and explicit relationship to the County’s programs, services, policies, or budgets
- Events or organizations with no explicit and unambiguous relationship to the County’s programs, services, policies, or budgets
- Campaigns or events contrary to County policies
Administration of the Guidelines:
Requests for County Board action on a resolution or proclamation will be processed by the County Administrator. The County Administrator will apply the guidelines and provide a reply to the requestor. This policy or the administration of this policy does not prevent anyone from being heard. Anyone may be heard by the County Board through contacting a Board Member or appearing before the Board at the Open Forum.
Approved and Adopted by the Stearns County Board this 23rd day of June, 2020
__________________________________
Leigh Lenzmeier, Board Chair
Jeff Johnson
Candidate Jeff Johnson did not answer the survey. He also did not communicate with us at all.
To learn more about the candidates, view the links to local media below:
Election 2020: Stearns County Commissioner District 4
https://wjon.com/election-2020-stearns-county-commissioner-district-4/