Chapter 375 — Regional Public Library Systems

134.20 Regional Public Library Systems Allows two or more counties or cities to join together to create a regional public library system. 375.01 Members, Number of Each Minnesota county has a board of five commissioners serving four-year terms. Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, and St. Louis … 375.02 This section has been repealed. 375.025 Commissioner Districts Sets rules for how counties draw commissioner districts after each federal census to keep districts equal in population. 375.03 Terms in New County or if Board Enlarged When a new county forms or adds commissioners, new members serve staggered two- and four-year terms to avoid replacing … 375.04 Tie Determined by Lot If two candidates for county commissioner tie, the county auditor decides the winner by drawing lots. 375.05 This section has been repealed. 375.055 County Commissioners' Compensation County boards set their own pay, but salary changes do not take effect until the next January 1. 375.056 Seven-member Board Counties with 100,000 or more people may vote to expand their county board from five to seven members. 375.057 Special Acts Providing for Payment of per Diems Any special law allowing per diem pay for county commissioners is overridden by the general law, except in Hennepin, … 375.06 Compensation for Committee Work; Travel Expenses County board members may receive per diem pay and travel expense reimbursement for committee work. 375.065 Meetings, Pay A county commissioner earning more than half the governor's salary cannot receive extra pay for attending local … 375.07 Meetings; Quorum The county board must meet in January at the county seat and may hold other meetings as needed. A majority is required … 375.08 Board to Fill Vacancies in County Offices When an elected county office becomes vacant, the county board must appoint someone to fill it until the term ends. 375.081 Vacancy in Office of Sheriff or County Attorney; Optional Special Election When a sheriff or county attorney position becomes vacant, the county board may call a special election instead of … 375.09 Commissioner's Malfeasance; Affected Actions Are Void A county commissioner cannot hold another elected office, work for the county, or accept bribes. Violations void the … 375.10 This section has been repealed. 375.101 Vacancy in Office of County Commissioner When a county commissioner seat becomes vacant, it may be filled by special election or by appointment from the … 375.11 Board Seal; Rebuttable Evidence of Board Proceedings The county auditor's seal serves as the official seal of the county board, and certified copies of board proceedings are … 375.12 Proceedings in Qualified Paper Within 30 Days; Let by Bid County board proceedings must be published in a local newspaper within 30 days, with the printing contract awarded to … 375.13 Chair The county board elects a chair and vice-chair from its members each year. The chair signs official documents on behalf … 375.14 Offices and Supplies Furnished for County Officers The county board must provide offices, furniture, safes, supplies, and technology for county officers at the county … 375.15 Damaged Records Transcribed If county office records are damaged and at risk of being lost, the county board must have them copied into new books. 375.16 County Appropriation for Incidental Expenses County boards may pay routine office expenses like postage, phone, and utilities from the county revenue fund. 375.161 Incidental Costs and Expenses; Contingent Fund County boards may set aside up to $1,500 per year as a contingent fund for unexpected county expenses. 375.162 Imprest Cash Funds County boards may create petty cash funds for small payments and travel advances, with a custodian responsible for … 375.163 Association of Minnesota Counties; Dues, Expenses Counties may pay dues and delegate expenses for membership in the Association of Minnesota Counties. 375.164 Broadcast Facilities Counties may spend money to build, buy, or maintain TV translator stations so residents can receive television signals. 375.165 County Translator Systems; Funding Counties that already owned TV translator systems in 1976 may spend money, acquire property, and issue bonds to expand … 375.167 Nonprofit Legal Assistance Corporations Counties may give money to nonprofit legal aid groups to help people who cannot afford a private lawyer. 375.168 Undercover Buy Fund; Expenditure of Money by Counties Counties may set aside money for undercover buys to investigate stolen goods crimes. 375.169 Publication of Summary Budget Statement Each year after adopting its budget, the county board must publish a summary budget statement in a local newspaper. 375.1691 Judicial Order After Budget Preparation A court order requiring payment from county funds must be approved by the county board if the expense was not included … 375.17 Publication of Financial Statements Counties must publish an annual financial statement showing receipts, expenses, assets, and liabilities in a local … 375.171 Credit Cards County boards may let officers and employees use credit cards for approved purchases, but unapproved charges are the … 375.18 General Powers Lists the general powers of county boards, including settling accounts, raising taxes, managing county property, and … 375.181 County Building Sites County boards may acquire land for courthouse, jail, or other county building sites through condemnation or purchase. 375.182 Neglect of Duty A county board member who fails to perform required duties is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and can be fined $100 to … 375.19 Additional Powers Counties may accept gifts of property from people whose care the county provides, and may require repayment from … 375.191 This section has been repealed. 375.192 Reductions or Abatements of Valuation or Taxes Property owners may apply to the county board for a reduction or abatement of property taxes under certain conditions. 375.193 This section has been repealed. 375.194 Economic Development Tax Abatement Eligible counties with high tax rates may offer tax abatements to attract economic development projects. 375.195 Sale of Buildings on Public Property The county auditor may sell buildings on public land at auction for no less than the appraised value set by the county … 375.197 This section has been repealed. 375.20 Ballot Questions When the law requires voter approval for county actions, the question goes on a ballot at a special or general election. 375.21 Contracts of County Boards County contracts above dollar limits set in section 471.345 must be publicly advertised and awarded to the lowest … 375.22 Repairs Without Bids in Emergency In emergencies caused by breakage or damage to county property, repairs may be made without going through the normal … 375.23 This section has been repealed. 375.24 This section has been repealed. 375.25 County Bonds May Be Bought by Funds in Treasury; Resale Counties with 50,000 or fewer people may invest surplus treasury funds by buying their own county bonds. 375.26 Gifts, Acceptance Counties may accept gifts of real or personal property and manage them tax-free according to the donor's terms. 375.27 Liabilities, Limitations, and Conditions of Gifts of Realty A county that accepts a gift of property under section 375.26 is not liable for any obligations tied to the property … 375.273 Acceptance of Donations for Care of Cemeteries County boards may accept donations for the perpetual care of cemeteries and invest those funds to earn income for … 375.28 Rewards for Capture County boards may offer rewards up to $500 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of people accused of … 375.29 This section has been repealed. 375.30 County Board May Appropriate Money for Certain Purposes County boards may spend money to remove rust-producing bushes, control agricultural pests, and fund soil conservation … 375.31 Motor Vehicles, Damage From Operation Counties may pay for claims against county officers or employees for injuries or damage caused while operating motor … 375.32 Insurance Policies; Premium, Payment County boards may buy insurance to cover county officers and employees against liability for injuries to people or … 375.33 This section has been repealed. 375.335 This section cross-references section 134.20 on regional public library systems. 375.34 Memorial Day and Veterans Day, Appropriation for Observance County boards may spend county money to support Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances. 375.35 Appropriations to Military Service Organizations for Memorial Day and Veterans Day Counties may give yearly funding to local veterans' organizations for Memorial Day and Veterans Day events and community … 375.36 May Buy and Keep up Part of Cemetery as Soldiers' Rest County boards may buy cemetery plots designated as a 'soldiers' rest' for burying veterans and their spouses at no … 375.37 'soldiers' Rest' Used Only for Veterans and Spouses A soldiers' rest cemetery plot may only be used for veterans and their spouses, with no charge for the burial space. 375.38 Violation a Misdemeanor It is a misdemeanor to bury someone in a soldiers' rest plot or charge for a lot there unless the person qualifies under … 375.383 This section has been repealed. 375.39 Change of Name of County; Order of County Board A county may change its name if 55% of voters from the last general election sign a petition requesting the change. 375.40 County Board May License Exhibitions and Shows County boards may require licenses for traveling shows, carnivals, circuses, and other exhibitions in unincorporated … 375.41 Misdemeanor to Take Part in Unlicensed Itinerant Show Running an unlicensed traveling show, carnival, or circus where a county license is required is a misdemeanor. 375.42 Exceptions The county show licensing requirements do not apply to events held at agricultural association fairs. 375.43 This section has been repealed. 375.435 This section has been repealed. 375.44 Mileage, County Hospital Board Members County hospital board members who are not county commissioners may receive mileage reimbursement for attending hospital … 375.45 Change Funds, Establishment County boards must set up change funds in county offices as needed, funded by an appropriation from the proper county … 375.46 May Give General Fund Money to Sheriff for Patrols County boards may give money from the general fund to the sheriff for patrolling county roads and staffing extra … 375.47 Expense Allowances for Members of Boards and Agencies County boards may set reasonable expense allowances and mileage for members of county boards and agencies. 375.471 Land Conservation and Utilization; Federal Aid Counties in federal resource conservation project areas may enter agreements and spend money to help with land … 375.48 May Appoint County Coordinator to Serve at Its Pleasure County boards may hire a county coordinator to manage day-to-day county operations, serving at the board's pleasure. 375.49 County Coordinator Duties; Considered Department Head The county coordinator's duties are set by the county board and include overseeing county departments and attending … 375.50 May Rescind County Coordinator Resolution The county board may end the county coordinator position at any time by rescinding the resolution that created it. 375.51 Ordinances; Enactment, Publication County ordinances require a public hearing and must be published in the official newspaper before they take effect. 375.52 Revision and Codification Counties may compile and publish their laws, ordinances, and rules in a single codified book or pamphlet. 375.53 Violations of Ordinances, Penalties County boards may set penalties for violating county ordinances, but penalties cannot exceed misdemeanor limits. 375.54 Prosecutions Under Ordinance The county attorney prosecutes county ordinance violations in the county's name, using standard criminal complaint … 375.55 Disposition of Fines Recovered for Ordinance Violations Fines collected for county ordinance violations go into the county treasury and must be reported monthly. 375.551 County Emergency Jobs Program Counties with very high unemployment may create emergency jobs programs for their unemployed residents. 375.552 Definitions Defines key terms for the county emergency jobs program, including 'employment program' and 'economically … 375.553 County Emergency Employment Program Emergency jobs program money pays for job training and public works projects submitted by county departments, cities, … 375.554 Program Rules The county board sets rules for the emergency jobs program covering hours, benefits, and pay methods. 375.555 Funding Counties may spend an amount equal to a small percentage of estimated market value to fund the emergency jobs program. 375.56 Create Department; Appoint Appeals Board to Establish County boards may create a county personnel department and appoint a personnel appeals board by passing a resolution. 375.57 Definitions Defines terms used in the county personnel system laws, including 'appointing authority,' 'employee,' and 'position.' 375.58 Jurisdiction The county personnel department covers all county jobs except elected officials, judges, and positions excluded by the … 375.59 Personnel Director Appointment The county board appoints a personnel director or assigns those duties to an existing employee. 375.60 Duties and Powers of Director The personnel director writes rules for hiring, promotions, pay, and other employment matters, subject to county board … 375.61 Payrolls Approved by Director No county employee within the personnel system may be paid unless the personnel director certifies the payment is … 375.62 Civil Service and Merit System Relationships The county personnel system works alongside existing state merit systems for social services and emergency management … 375.63 Veterans to Be Given Preference The county personnel system does not change veterans' hiring preferences established under other state laws. 375.64 Collective Bargaining Relationships For collective bargaining, the county board and the appointing authority are considered joint employers of county … 375.65 Personnel Board of Appeals The county board appoints a three-member personnel board of appeals to hear employee grievances. 375.66 Duties of Board of Appeals The personnel board of appeals hears complaints about hiring, discipline, and other employment decisions and reports to … 375.67 Judicial Review Employees or appointing authorities may appeal a decision of the personnel board of appeals to district court. 375.68 Abolition of System The county board may dissolve the personnel system at any time by majority vote, and current employees keep their … 375.69 Appropriation by County Board The county board may spend whatever money is needed to run the county personnel system. 375.70 Federal Aid for Manpower Services Counties may accept federal money for job training and employment programs under federal workforce laws. 375.71 Protection of Rights Under State and Federal Laws The county personnel system cannot be used to violate equal employment, human rights, or data privacy laws. 375.72 County Purchasing Department County boards may set up a central purchasing department to handle all county buying and save money through bulk … 375.73 Duties of Purchasing Department The county purchasing department buys all supplies, equipment, and services for county offices and sells surplus items. 375.74 Director of Purchasing; Employees The county board appoints a qualified director of purchasing to run the purchasing department. 375.75 Rules and Regulations The county board adopts rules for the purchasing department and may let individual offices make small purchases … 375.76 Voidable Purchases, Contracts, and Sales Purchases or sales made without following purchasing department rules may be voided by the county board. 375.77 Laws Not Affected The county purchasing department laws do not change any existing bidding requirements or other county procurement laws. 375.771 Veteran-owned Small Business Contracts Counties may set goals to award up to 6% of construction contracts and 12% of other contracts to veteran-owned small … 375.78 Aid to Poultry Associations Counties may give up to $500 per year to local poultry associations that hold annual exhibits and pay premiums. 375.79 Exhibits at State Fair Counties may spend up to $1,000 from the general revenue fund to help maintain a county exhibit at the Minnesota State … 375.80 Appointment of Person to Supervise The county board appoints a resident to manage the county's State Fair exhibit and handle the money for it. 375.81 Appropriation; Bond The person managing the county fair exhibit must post a bond for double the money given and will be reimbursed only … 375.82 Statement to Board The person in charge of the county fair exhibit must report all expenses to the county board before November 2 and … 375.83 Economic and Agricultural Development Counties may give money to development organizations working to promote economic and agricultural growth in the county. 375.84 Prepay Software, Subscriptions, United States Documents Counties may prepay for computer software services, magazine subscriptions, and government document purchases. 375.85 Counties May Market Software Products Counties may sell or license computer software they developed, either alone or jointly with other counties. 375.86 Application of Other Law County software source code and development materials are classified as trade secrets under state data practices law. 375.87 Radio Systems for Public Safety Communications Counties may build and operate radio systems for fire, police, and other public safety communications.