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The Carver County Board is made up of 5 commissioners, each representing approximately 20% of County Population (roughly 21K residents). The commissioners guide a $146.1M overall budget*, comprised of 42.6% of property taxes (and penalties), 43.2% intergovernmental (state, federal, etc. dollars), and the remainder from charges for services, licenses, permits, investment earnings, fines and forfeitures and other revenues. The average homeowner in District 3 pays roughly 1.3% of their home value in property taxes (made up of portions to City, County and School District). Roughly 30% of those property taxes go to the County (For a median house valued at $322,800, that’s $4,046 total property tax, of which $1,147 is paid to the County).
The collected county dollars are allocated as follows: 26% County Sheriff, 20% General Government, 23% Health and Human Services, 14% Public Works, 9% County Attorney Courts & Probation, 7% Library and 1% Land/Water and Environmental. Said differently, roughly 1/3 of County Expenditures are for Physical Infrastructure (roads, bridges, maintenance), 1/3 are for Social Infrastructure (mental health, food assistance, public health) and 1/3 go toward Administration (collecting your taxes, DMV, managing voting, customer facing, etc.)
Under the County umbrella, there are 274 miles of road, 73 bridges, 1,016 acres of public areas, 6 city and 4 express libraries. The county has responsibilities for public safety (patrols, jail, 9-11, courts), personal records (birth, marriage, land purchases), Public Health (disease prevention, immunizations, etc.), Social Services (behavioral health, employment services, elderly/disables transportation, child protection) and Environmental Services (recycling, water management, etc.) Roughly 50% of county dollars go toward human capital (wages, benefits, etc.), across 850+ regular employees and roughly 400 seasonal, contract and temporary employees.
*2020 Budget Summary
Below are a number of Carver County committees. You can email myself or reach County Administration at (952) 361-1503 to receive a printed or e-mailed application. Applications will be accepted until all vacancies are filled. There are also countless community volunteer opportunities – feel free to drop a line with your interests and I’ll happily connect you with appropriate contacts and organizations!
ARTS COMMITTEE: The Carver County Arts Committee is responsible for reviewing art work at all county facilities (except libraries and museum) to ensure that they follow county policy.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT – Board issues variances to the County’s zoning ordinance, waives restrictions on non-conforming uses and hears appeals on zoning decisions of an administrative official. Meetings are held monthly on the first Wednesday at the Government Center at 7:00 p.m. Appointments are for three-year terms.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY – The Agency establishes County housing and community development policy and administers related programs. Appointment is for a five-year term. Meetings are held monthly on the third Thursday at 5:00 p.m. in Chaska
LIBRARY BOARD – Members are fiduciary officers of Carver County who govern and set policy for the library system, represent the library to the community and the community to the library. They obtain funding for library service and promote the use of library resources in the community. (Governed by MN Statues 134.) Board members are appointed for three-year terms. The Library Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month at an assigned library branch.
MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE – Committee advises the County Board and the Community Social Services Department on services relating to Mental
Health and Mental Illness. Types of appointments are citizens, consumers, parents of consumers and providers. Appointments are for three-yea terms. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month at 4:00 p.m.
MENTAL WELLNESS FACILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE – The Steiner-Kelting Mental Wellness Facility Advisory Committee advises the Carver County Board of Commissioners on the development of the Steiner-Kelting Mental Wellness Facility.
PARK COMMISSION – Commission advises the County Board on acquisition, development, operation, and management of the park system. Appointments are for three-year terms. Meetings are held monthly on the second Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Baylor, Lake Minnewashta Parks and the Cologne Public Works
PERSONNEL BOARD OF APPEALS – Board advises County Board on disputes/grievances arising out of terms and conditions of employment as provided in County Personnel Regulations. Meetings are held on an as needed basis.
PLANNING COMMISSION – Commission advises County Board on planning issues, the comprehensive plan, and makes recommendations on applications for conditional use permits, rezoning and plats. Appointments are for three-year terms. County ordinance prohibits any person who has derived a substantial portion of income from real estate development, during the past two years, from serving on the Commission. Meetings are held monthly on the third Tuesday at the Government Center at 7:00 p.m.
References:
1. US News https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/rankings. 2019 Population Estimates; https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/carvercountyminnesota/PST045219
2. SW News Media, June 2020; “Carver and Scott Counties are Fastest Growing in Minnesota.” https://bit.ly/3ib1sPL
3. Patch.com, January 2020; “Here’s How Much People Make in the Richest County in Minnesota.” https://patch.com/minnesota/stlouispark/here-s-how-much-people-make-richest-county-minnesota
4. CBS Local/Smart Asset, May 2019. Carver County Ranked Happiest For Second Year” https://cbsloc.al/3uJfT0b, https://www.traillink.com/city/carver-mn-trails
>>Health and Wellness
https://www.co.carver.mn.us/departments/health-human-services/public-health/health-and-wellness/disease-prevention/covid-19-coronavirus/community-resources
>>Community Resources
Love Inc. (Diapers, Beds, Bedding, Furniture, Transportation, Gap Ministries, Cleaning Supplies, Laundry Supplies, Kitchen Supplies, Vacuums, Winterwear, Back to School Backpacks, Clothing, Bicycles, Food and Gas)
https://loveinccc.org/
https://loveinccc.org/ministries
Bountiful Basket (Food)
https://bountifulbasketfoodshelf.org/
Launch Ministries (Housing, Emergency Shelter, Food, Support,
His House/Abundance (Food, Housing, Support, More)
http://www.hishousefoundation.com/
The Humanity Alliance (Jobs, Food, Housing, Support)
https://www.humanityalliance.org/
Carver County Community Development Agency (Housing, Support, More)
https://www.carvercda.org/
Southern Valley Alliance (Abuse Support)
https://svamn.org/
Veteran’s Services (Support, Benefits, Transportation, More)
https://www.co.carver.mn.us/departments/public-services/veteran-services
Faith Community Links
https://loveinccc.org/partners-impact
https://www.co.carver.mn.us/departments/public-works/parks-recreation/parks-trails
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g42931-Activities-Carver_Minnesota.html
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-in-carver-county-minnesota/id1488276835
Hotels
https://www.hotels.com/de1505935/hotels-chanhassen-minnesota/
Attractions
Parks/Recreation
https://www.co.carver.mn.us/departments/public-works/parks-recreation
Trade Schools/Resources
https://www.co.carver.mn.us/departments/health-human-services/income-support/careerforce-in-chaska
https://www.district112.org/district/news/new-page/~board/district-news-posts/post/changing-the-narrative-for-careers-in-trades-and-industry
Public Schools
https://www.publicschoolreview.com/minnesota/carver-county
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-schools/c/carver-county-mn/
Private Schools
https://www.privateschoolreview.com/minnesota/carver-county
College/University