Wang will serve on Ramsey Washington watershed board
Stephanie Wang will serve on the Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District Board of Managers after the Washington County Board of Commissioners appointed her to the board Jan. 16.
Wang will serve a first term beginning Feb. 24, 2024, and expiring Feb. 23, 2027.

Sheriff’s Office will continue to provide law enforcement services to City of Hugo
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office will continue to provide law enforcement services to the City of Hugo after the county board extended the contract with the city for five years Jan. 16.
The contract went into effect at the beginning of the year. It includes one additional deputy for a total of seven full-time deputies. The county will supply all labor, supervision, equipment, communication facilities, dispatching, and supplies necessary to provide the services required by the agreement.
The City of Hugo will pay the county on a semi-annual basis for the direct costs and expenses for the services of seven full-time deputies, one detective, and one full-time sergeant.

Sheriff’s Office will receive funds for narcotics task force
The Washington County Sheriff's Office will receive a $228,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs, to fund the Washington County Narcotics Task Force.
The County Board accepted the grant Jan. 16. The grant will be used from now through Dec. 31, 2025. There is no matching requirement.
The funds will be used to reimburse the Sheriff's Office for insurance and personnel expenses of the sergeant overseeing the task force. The grant's purpose is to provide multi-jurisdictional support for the investigation and prosecution of gang, drug, and related violent crime.

Downs Government Affairs will continue to represent Washington County
Downs Government Affairs LLC will continue to provide federal lobbying services to Washington County, after the county board extended a contract with the company Jan. 16.
The contract is not to exceed $69,600 annually from Jan. 17, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2026.
The county's previous contract for federal lobbying services expired at the end of 2023.
The county sought proposals for the work last November, requesting assistance tor:
• Lobby: Work with federal policymakers and agency staff to advance policies that aim to benefit Washington County, while also lobbying against policies that could adversely impact county business.
• Monitor and Pursue Funding Opportunities: Identify funding opportunities for Washington County and assist in the formation of grant applications.
• Coordinate Meetings and Fly-ins: Work with county staff and commissioners to arrange meetings with members of Congress and federal agencies in Minnesota and during Washington County “fly-ins” to Washington, D.C.
• Track and Share Legislative Federal Initiatives and News: Maintain contact with county staff and commissioners regarding bill movements, funding opportunities, and other legislative news through status reports, virtual calls, and County Board updates.
Three proposals for the work were received and Downs Government Affairs was chosen.
The firm is based in Washington, D.C., and collaborates with a Minnesota-based firm, Aurora Strategic Services Inc. The company has decades of experience working with elected officials, with expertise in the areas of transportation, energy, environment, safety, and taxes, and represents several Minnesota counties and cities, as well as the Association of Minnesota Counties. The company has worked with Washington County since 2019.

County Board accepts donations for final quarter of 2023
The Washington County Board of Commissioners accepted donations Jan. 16 that were received by the county during the fourth quarter of 2023.
The library received cash donations of $1,557.30, including donations from individuals. The county’s parks received $136.15 in donations, including general donations, and donations for Milkweed for Monarchs, Living Forest, and Parks and Trails Fund donations.
The Sheriff’s Office received a $100 donation from individuals to support the K9 unit. Community Corrections received Cub Foods gift cards, in the amount of $100, and Community Services received gift cards for a number of local businesses from the Woodbury Police Department, totaling $520.
The board also received a summary of donations for 2023, which included $12,771.89 of cash donations, and $10,131 of in-kind donations.