Dakota County has openings for citizen advisers

Got an idea for your local government? Here's a chance to speak up.

Dakota County is on its annual hunt for residents to serve on citizen advisory committees that give suggestions to commissioners about topics ranging from public art projects to job-training programs.

Commissioners appointed most of the committee members at the first board meeting of the year. But more than a dozen open slots remain, mostly because no one applied.

"We need enough to fill our committees," said Kelly Olson, the County Board clerk. "We don't get a lot of applicants for any of them and this seems like this is an annual occurrence."

There are 14 committees, some required by state statute and others created by the county based on need, that study issues and make recommendations to the commissioners. The meeting schedules vary from monthly to annually, and attendance at most is rewarded with a payment of $35 or more.

Some, such as the Personnel Board of Appeals, have specific qualifications. That committee, which delves into employee and job applicant appeals, requires members to have experience in human resources.

For others, the qualifications are largely tied to geography because committee membership is broken down along the lines that define commissioners' districts. The Farmland and Natural Areas Program Advisory Committee, for example, has openings for one resident each from Districts 1 and 7.

The spots will be filled as needed throughout the year, but it's helpful for new members to be seated in time for an orientation workshop in February, Olson said.

Elizabeth Campbell applied for a spot on the Human Services Committee after moving to Lakeville about five years ago. She saw an ad in a local newspaper and thought her doctorate degree in human development might lend some expertise.

"It's a good way to get an understanding of what's going on in your county and it's also a good way to contribute something back," she said.

She's now entering her fourth year as chairwoman of the committee, which has studied a variety of social and health issues, including autism, immigration, and drug and alcohol addiction during two-hour monthly meetings. More cooperation with local social service agencies and better guidance for citizens who turn to the county in search of resources were among their recommendations.

"It's really interesting," Campbell said. "It's a good way to have a voice in what you think the county should be supporting."

Katie Humphrey • 952-882-9056