Chapter One Federal Government - Minnesota State Legislature

Chapter
Six
Local Government
Chapter Six Local Government
168
COUNTIES IN MINNESOTA
The State of Minnesota has 87 counties. Ramsey County is the smallest in land area, encompassing
less than 170 square miles. St. Louis County has the largest land area with over 6,000 square miles.
County populations vary from over 1,000,000 in Hennepin County to 4,100 in Traverse County.
Law provides: Counties are governed by a board of commissioners and administrative officers
elected by the people to four-year terms; alternate forms of government may be adopted, chiefly to
allow for an elected executive, a manager or administrator, or appointive administrative officers.
(Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 375A)
Functions: Counties are responsible for property tax assessment, tax administration, elections,
record keeping, transportation, planning and zoning, solid waste management, environment, parks
and water management, law enforcement, courts, and health and human services.
Additional information about Minnesota’s 87 counties is available from the Association of Minnesota
Counties, 125 Charles Ave., St. Paul 55103-2108, (651)224-3344, www.mncounties.org. Links to
county web sites can be found at www.sos.state.mn.us/weblinkcounty.html
KEY
Board = county board
A = Appointed
M = Monday
T = Tuesday
W = Wednesday
Th = Thursday
F = Friday
AITKIN COUNTY (1) Courthouse: 209 N.W. 2nd St., Aitkin 56431
(218)927-7354
Established May 23, 1857 2000 Population 15,301 Land Area 1,164,502.29 acres
Congressional District 8 Judicial District 9 Board meets every T except 5th
Legislative District 3B
Office Name Post Office Term Expires
Auditor Kirk Peysar Aitkin 2007
Treasurer Vernon Nelson Aitkin 2007
Recorder Diane Lafferty Aitkin 2007
Sheriff Dennis Landborg Aitkin 2007
Attorney Tom Murtha Aitkin 2007
Commissioner District 1 Jon Olson Aitkin 2007
Commissioner District 2 Dale Lueck Aitkin 2009
Commissioner District 3 Paul Bailey Isle 2007
Commissioner District 4 Brian Napstad McGregor 2009
Commissioner District 5 Reggie Lee Swatara 2007
Assessor Don Niemi McGrath A
Court Administrator Bonnie LeCocq Aitkin A
Engineer John Welle Aitkin A
Health & Human Services Director Tom Burke Aitkin A