In Minnesota, a “Township” is a local unit of government that provides basic services like road maintenance. Townships are generally organized but unincorporated communities governed by a local elected board of supervisors.
Town Board of Supervisors
In Munson Township, we have a Town Board with three elected supervisors and supported by an elected clerk and treasurer. The town board is charged with making decisions on behalf of the town. Common duties include awarding contracts, authorizing expenditures, adopting ordinances.
Town Clerk and Treasurer
In Munson Township, we have an elected Town Clerk that is responsible for maintaining the townships books, records, proceedings, posting notices etc… The township also has an elected Town Treasurer that is responsible for handling and accounting for the towns’ funds. Neither the clerk or treasurer are voting members of the Town Board.
Planning Commission
Munson Township also has a Planning Commission, which is an advisory body to the Town Board. Stearns County oversees much of the planning and zoning related activities in Munson Township, however, through a Memorandum of Understanding, the Township has the following responsibilities:
- Issue building permits
- Conduct site visits
- Issue Interim Use Permits for single family residences, gravel mining and concrete or asphalt plants
- Review requests for variances from road easement and setbacks as well as accessory structures
- Review site permits and Conditional Use Permits for Agriculturally Oriented Businesses and Limited Rural Businesses
- Registration of a variety of provisional uses
More detail about the township’s role is outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding with Stearns County.
Other Meetings and Roles
Annual Board of Audit: In February of every year, the Town Board holds an Annual Board of Audit meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to reconcile the books between the clerk and treasurer, and for the Board of Supervisors to accept and sign the Munson Township year- end summaries. The Supervisors will also discuss and compile a levy proposal to present to the Munson Township Residents at the annual meeting in March of each year.
Annual Meeting: In March of each year, the township holds an annual meeting for the purpose of electing officers and reviewing financial statements. Following are the minutes of past meetings. Minutes for the current year’s meeting will be posted after they are approved at the next annual meeting.
Board of Appeal and Equalization: Each spring the Township holds a BAE meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to determine whether property in the jurisdiction has been properly valued and classified by the assessor.
Road Reports: Each year, the Board of Supervisors conducts an inspection of road conditions. This review is used to determine what improvements or repairs are needed. A monthly report of activities is compiled to highlight routine maintenance such as grading, tarring, gravel and snow plowing.