Stearns County is a Leader in Getting Things Done

Technology:
 
Award winning website – second in the nation, 6 years in the top 10.
First real estate portal of its kind in the State.
First to connect an online permitting process coordinating townships and the County.
One of the first counties to connect all City law enforcement records into one database.
One of two out-state counties to adopt a comprehensive interoperable communications system (800 MHz) in Minnesota—95% funded by the federal government.  (Interoperable communications was the difference between the I-35 Bridge collapse response and the Hurricane Katrina response.)
Virtual County – Goal is to get most County/customer transactions completed 24/7 over the internet.
 
Parks:
 
The Wobegon Trail – Nationally recognized destination for paved bike trail.  This, along with the connection to the Central Lakes Trail, creates the longest paved bicycle trail in the United States.
Quarry Park – One of the most visited County Parks in Minnesota and one of the most unique urban parks in the United States.
Warner Lake Park, Rockville Park and Kramer Lake Park provide multipurpose outdoor experiences.
Acquisition and development funded primarily with state and federal dollars. 
 
Taxes:
Seventieth (out of 87) in per capita spending of all counties in Minnesota.
Debt management – maintained steady control of debt for infrastructure projects.  (Debt is added as older debt is retired.)
 
Agriculture:
Dairy Advisory Board – Helped to maintain the dairy industry in Stearns County.  One of the few counties in the upper Midwest to maintain its milk production.
Comprehensive Plan – Emphasizes ag preservation as one of its primary goals.
Nutraceutical Initiative – Along with local legislators, the County is working with local partners to become a state and national leader in this industry. 
 
Road and Bridge:
The Sauk Rapids Bridge – GAP funding provided by Stearns County when others backed out.  Where would we be without a third bridge to handle some of the DeSoto Bridge traffic?
West Metro Corridor – Connects Sartell’s Pine Cone Road with 8th Avenue.  Stearns County is the lead agency with partners from Waite Park, St. Cloud, Sartell and the APO.
Opportunity Drive – Stearns County partnered with St. Cloud to build the interchange which enhanced access to the St. Cloud Industrial Park from I-94. 
 
Intergovernmental Cooperation:
Tri-County Solid Waste Management Commission
St. Cloud/Stearns County Joint Law Enforcement
Quad County quarterly meetings
Phase II – Northstar Corridor
St. Cloud Area Joint Planning District (Stearns County administers)
*Stearns/Benton Employment and Training Center
Great River Regional Library System
Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee
 
*One of the first of its kind to be co-located at a technical college training facility.
  
Human Services:
Reorganization – One of the only counties to combine Human Services, Public Health and Community Corrections into one entity.  It’s become a State model.
Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee – Coordinates all criminal justice activities in Stearns County.  This Committee has saved the County several million dollars in use of jail bed per diems.