Chapter One Federal Government - Minnesota State Legislature

CITIES IN MINNESOTA
Local Government Chapter Six
Law provides: Minnesota’s two basic types of cities are home-rule charter cities, which operate
under a local charter, and statutory cities, which operate under the statutory city code (chapter 412 of
the Minnesota Statutes). The distinction between home-rule cities and statutory cities is one of
organization and powers and is not based on differences in population, size, location, or any other
physical feature.
Form of government: Home-rule charter cities may establish any form of government they choose
in their charters. Typical forms include: council-manager, strong mayor, and mayor-council.
Statutory cities may choose a form of government from three alternatives: the mayor-council plan
with either an elected clerk (standard plan), or an appointed clerk (plan A), or the council-manager
plan (plan B).
Functions: Police and fire protection, street maintenance, sewer and water, parks and recreation are
traditional city services. Cities may choose to provide utilities, sell liquor, operate a hospital, maintain
an airport, and provide ambulance service, among other options.
The following list of cities was provided courtesy of the League of Minnesota Cities, 145 University
Ave. W., St. Paul, MN 55103, (651)281-1200, www.lmnc.org. The information was up to date as of
December, 2004.
KEY
Capital Letters: Designates COUNTY SEAT
Population: Based on 2003 census estimates
Government: HC = Home-Rule Charter Cities
SC = Statutory Cities – Standard Plan
SC-A = Statutory Cities – Plan A
SC-B = Statutory Cities – Plan B
Year: Year incorporated
C.D.: Congressional District
L.D.: Legislative District
Election Year: O = odd-year elections
E = even-year elections
City County Population Government Year C.D. L.D.
Election
Year
ADA Norman 1,667 HC 1881 7 02A O
Adams Mower 783 SC-A 1887 1 27A E
Adrian Nobles 1,234 SC-A 1881 1 22A E
Afton Washington 2,908 SC-A 1914 6 57B E
AITKIN Aitkin 2,092 SC-A 1889 8 03B E
Akeley Hubbard 398 SC 1916 8 04B E
Albany Stearns 1,887 SC-A 1890 6 13A E
ALBERT LEA Freeborn 18,082 HC 1878 1 27A E
Alberta Stevens 136 SC-A 1912 7 11A E
Albertville Wright 4,983 SC-A 1902 6 19B E
Alden Freeborn 654 SC-A 1879 1 27A E
Aldrich Wadena 50 SC 1938 8 10B E
ALEXANDRIA Douglas 10,165 HC 1887 7 11A E
Alpha Jackson 123 SC-A 1889 1 22B E
Altura Winona 426 SC-A 1906 1 28B E
Alvarado Marshall 369 SC-A 1907 7 01B E
Amboy Blue Earth 562 SC-A 1887 1 24B E
Andover Anoka 28,939 SC-A 1974 6 49A, 49B E
Annandale Wright 2,712 SC-A 1888 6 18B E
ANOKA Anoka 18,275 HC 1858 6 48B E
Apple Valley Dakota 48,418 SC-A 1968 2 37A, 37B E
Appleton Swift 2,877 SC-A 1881 7 20A E
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Chapter
Six
Local Government