The Scott County Board will undergo a shakeup in 2015 with leadership changes, broadened priorities and a brand-new member fresh out of the state Legislature.

The exit of Commissioner Dave Menden and the arrival of former state Rep. Mike Beard have shifted the board's power structure. That shift is already visible in a new chair and vice chair who are expected to redirect the board's energies toward bigger-picture issues, particularly transportation.

"Most organizations seem to take that parochial, 'Well, what's in it for me? If the state increases funding, how much of that funding is coming to me and to my constituents and directly to the county system?' " said County Administrator Gary Shelton. "But that's really the wrong approach."

After spending four years as board chair — a position that once rotated among interested members — Commissioner Tom Wolf will return to a regular board position in 2015. Commissioner Jon Ulrich, who's been on the board for 14 years, will become chair, and Commissioner Barb Marschall will replace Commissioner Joe Wagner as vice chair, pending approval in early January.

"There are five people on the board. We would all like to be the chair of the board, I guess," Wolf said. "We're all class presidents."

Board members discussed the new leadership positions, as well as committee assignments and goals for the coming year, at a Dec. 5 work session. Funding for transportation, particularly highways, will be a major priority.

Mike Beard, former state representative, is new to the board.

"I would say it's always been part of the top list," Marschall said. "Has it always been the top, or the only priority? No, that's not the case."

In a new approach this year, the board has officially taken the position that the state Legislature should direct money to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

"The board took the position that there are ample tools already in place for counties and cities to take care of their own roads," Shelton said.

One of the board's biggest decisions this year will be whether to implement a sales tax up to a half-cent to fund transportation projects. There's no hard deadline for deciding which projects to fund — or whether to use this option at all — but Shelton said he expects the board will approve it. It's a way to capitalize on crowds who bring in traffic when visiting Scott County destinations like Canterbury Park and the Renaissance Festival.

This year is likely to be a challenging one when it comes to funding, though. The past several years have been more about operations than about major funding priorities, Shelton said. And this year, there's less state and federal money available, even as the county is experiencing the effects of growth.

"I think more than in the past, they're going to have to probably make some tough decisions on everything from road projects to programmatic issues to who gets the support on economic development projects," he said. "Because there are so many things going on, I don't think they're going to be able to say yes to everything."

Continuing to push against the Met Council

The coming year and the new legislative session it brings is set to be the next step in a recent suburban push against the Metropolitan Council.

Scott County has long sought fundamental changes to the regional planning agency, and both Beard and Ulrich made it a major campaign issue. In addition to specific concerns about the Met Council's long-term plans, there are larger sticking points over the makeup of its leadership. Ulrich said they'd like to see a transition from an appointed council to one of elected leaders.

Still, Shelton said he doesn't expect that the county will ask for much during the legislative session.

"If you look at it historically, Scott County has asked for very little ever from the Legislature," he said. "Usually what we're asking for is 'Untie our hands a little bit and let us take care of ourselves.' "

Emma Nelson • 952-746-3287