June 10, 2021 at 1:12 p.m.
Future county commissioner candidates must follow new disclosure rules
These rules formerly applied only to those running for state offices or metro area positions. Legislative action this year extends the disclosure rules to rural county commissioners and to judges.
In a filing statement, a person running for commissioner now will have to list their sources of income, financial holdings, non-homestead real estate and any interests in horse racing, according to a notice from Minnesota Association of Counties (AMC).
Candidates must file this statement with the state's Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board within 14 days after filing an affidavit of candidacy and must file a supplemental statement of economic interest by April 15 each year if information from the previous filing has changed.
While commissioners have been prohibited from accepting gifts from persons who could financially benefit from matters under their authority, now they will be banned from accepting any money, real or personal property, services, loan, promises of future employment, meals, entertainment or honoraria, the AMC notice states.
Commissioners have been prohibited from taking part in a sale, lease or contract in their official capacity that would provide them a personal financial benefit.
The conflict of interest clause now stipulates an official must provide a written statement describing the potential conflict or fill out a potential conflict of interest form, which would be presented to the presiding officer of the board, according to AMC.
A public official who represents a client for a fee before any individual board, commission or agency that has rule-making authority in a hearing conducted under Minnesota Statute, Chapter 14, must file a representation disclosure statement within 14 days after the appearance has taken place.
At Tuesday's Cass County Board meeting:
It was reported the county will receive $517,895 federal payment in lieu of tax (PILT) this year. Of that amount, $155,368 will go to townships and the balance to the county. Townships receiving payments lie within the Chippewa National Forest. Total PILT is up about $18,000 from 2012.
Veterans Services Officer Jeff Woodford reported to the county board he has completed his training and is now a fully certified veterans services officer. He said candidates are being interviewed for the vacant assistant veterans services officer position.
This summer, Woodford and some sheriff's deputies began the first of what they expect to become an annual event to take veterans fishing.
The board approved proceeding with the process to vacate a portion of old Highway 200 at Whipholt Beach on the south shore of Leech Lake. It lies on property Leech Lake Watershed currently manages.
The state turned the abandoned road over to the county in 1942, but it has remained a designated county road since that time even though it no longer is used as a road.
Second publication rights after Brainerd Dispatch.[[In-content Ad]]
Comments:
You must login to comment.