Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Townships Annexation Broadband topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Townships press for annexation fairness and broadband support
Summary
Grama Berg Moberg of the Minnesota Association of Townships described township demographics, road responsibilities and urged review of annexation law (Minn. Stat. 414.033) and continued broadband funding to reach rural residents
Grama Berg Moberg, representing the Minnesota Association of Townships, told the Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee that the association represents nearly all of Minnesota’s roughly 1,776 townships and that townships are disproportionately rural, cover a large share of local road mileage and often operate without paid staff.
She emphasized annexation fairness as a priority and referenced Minnesota Statute 414.033 as the controlling law for annexations. "Cities in many respects have the opportunity to to simply pass an ordinance and and take a chunk of township land into their jurisdiction," she said, and urged protection for landowners who choose low-tax, low-service township residency. The association provided a handout summarizing annexation mechanics and asked the committee to consider reforms that preserve landowners’ choices.
Moberg also urged continued broadband funding and technology-neutral approaches so rural residents without reliable internet access can obtain service by a range of technologies. She said townships are deeply involved in road maintenance and said sustainable state aid and road funding are high priorities.
Moberg said the association’s work focuses on training and practical assistance for volunteer township officers, and that townships will supply more detailed priorities and background to the committee upon request.
