The Anoka County Board hits the road next week. But will anybody notice?

"The intent is to make county government more accessible," board Chairwoman Rhonda Sivarajah said of next Tuesday's board meeting scheduled at the Andover City Hall -- the first of up to six meetings for 2011 that will be held away from the county government center.

"By taking the board meetings on the road to communities across the county, we hope to engage citizens directly in the issues that impact their lives."

But the timing could be a problem, Andover City Manager Jim Dickinson said. The County Board meeting begins at 9:30 a.m., when many constituents are at work. While the county commissioners are rolling up their sleeves in Andover, the folks who voted for them are doing the same elsewhere, unable to view the meeting in person or online.

"We get a lot of activity at night," Dickinson said of attendance at Andover City Council meetings. "I think it's a good step that they're going out, but I wish it was at night."

Sivarajah knows that. But holding the County Board meetings at night would mean paying overtime to Andover staffers who would have to work unusual hours. And with parking spots limited in Anoka, the board hopes that out-of-towners will find other venues with accessible parking more inviting.

Attendance at County Board meetings in Anoka often depends upon guest speakers and the number of people receiving awards. Only the occasional hot topics -- like discussions of a Vikings stadium in Blaine years ago -- seem to draw extraordinary crowds.

The road show could change that.

"County government touches everyone's lives on a daily basis," said County Commissioner Carol LeDoux. "By taking this to our constituents, we're giving them an opportunity to see what government is really doing.

"This is a wonderful opportunity. It's sad to think that many people can't name their county commissioner. This is another way to let them know that they can have contact."

Andover is ready to play host. Most cities telecast council meetings on cable TV and many have council rooms the size of the County Board's room, Dickinson said.

"We don't mind being first," he said. "I don't see this as the pinnacle of all issues to be the leader, but we're proud to do it."

Asked how Andover was chosen to be the first city to host the board meetings, Dickinson said, "We offered. It could be that we're the highest on the list alphabetically."

Paul Levy • 612-673-4419