BY WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER KARLA BIGHAM, DISTRICT 4

It has been a busy first month since I joined the Washington County Board of Commissioners. The board made the committee appointments for 2023, and I have been selected to serve on the following committees:

• Washington County Regional Railroad Authority, Chair for 2023

• Washington County specific committees

• Finance Committee

• Groundwater Advisory Committee, Alternate

• Library Board

• Regional Railroad Authority • University of Minnesota Extension Advisory Committee • Association of Minnesota Counties

• Board of Directors as District X Representative

• Public Safety Policy Committee

• East Central Regional Juvenile Center

• Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA)

• Metropolitan Transportation Advisory Board, Alternate • Minnesota Inter-County Association, Alternate

• Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board

• Finance and Facilities Committee

• Partnership on Waste and Energy, Alternate

• Red Rock Corridor Commission

• Unsheltered Homeless Public Sector Leadership Meeting Committee These committees have already started meeting, and I look forward to being part of the work.

In my new role, it has been wonderful meeting with county staff to better learn what they are working on for our communities. Washington County has incredibly dedicated and hardworking staff who work hard on our behalf. Together we will accomplish a great deal for the residents.

I have visited the Cottage Grove, Newport, and St. Paul Park city council meetings to establish communication with them. It has been great to meet with local elected officials on projects and programs that we will be collaborating on. There are many exciting things happening in South Washington County. In the coming months, we will have exciting announcements about Park Grove Library renovations, Ravine Park, and other projects.

Please feel free to email me at [email protected] or call me at 651-430-6214. Thank you for the opportunity to be your Washington County Commissioner.