Steele County decides to leave MNPrairie agreement

An agreement reached between Steele, Waseca and Dodge counties includes terms under which Steele County can withdraw from the joint powers agreement regarding the delivery of social services through an agency called Minnesota Alliance of Prairie Counties (MNPrairie). The Alliance was first formed in 2014.

 

In March, Steele County commissioners voted to terminate the agency, an action which could not be taken without the cooperation of at least one of the other member counties.

 

Discussion among Waseca county board members over the intervening time indicated both Waseca and Dodge counties find MNPrairie an effective way to share resources, and neither has a desire to see the agency dissolved. However, county administrator Michael Johnson observed during the Dec. 2 meeting of the Waseca County board, it seemed beneficial to allow Steele County to remove itself as expediently as possible. “It was unsustainable to draw it out,” Johnson stated. “It was not a good working environment.”

 

Among the numerous complicating factors is that MNPrairie manages funds which are provided by all three counties. Its 180 or so staff members each work out of any of three buildings located in the respective counties, and interact with clients in any of the three.

 

Under the newly reached agreement, Steele County will remain a member of MNPrairie through Dec. 31, 2026. Until then, it will continue to have representation on the MNPrairie board and will retain its voting rights; the board has six members, two of whom are from Steele County. In June of 2026, Steele County will receive just over $3 million, its portion of MNPrairie’s equity fund balance. Another $950,000 will be delivered in 2027. The agreement states that receipt of the money in 2027 serves as Steele County’s acknowledgement it has “no further right to the MNPrairie fund balance” after Dec. 31, 2026.

 

The agreement also stipulates that desks and chairs purchased by MNPrairie but located in Steele County will remain with Steele County, while computers, monitors and electronic equipment will be removed for use in Waseca and Dodge County facilities.

 

Beyond that, the agreement says the separation process will be overseen by the Steele County administrator and MNPrairie’s executive director, with final approval made by the respective county boards and the MNPrairie board; all parties agree to act “in good faith” throughout the process.