Minnesota Session Laws - 1985, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1985 

                        CHAPTER 109-H.F.No. 516 
           An act relating to counties; authorizing reimbursement 
          to county commissioners and county officers for 
          certain expenses; renaming the county executive 
          secretary; fixing expenditure authority for certain 
          county activities; removing provisions for county 
          purchasing agents and demonstration and experiment 
          farms; revising the language of the text of chapters 
          concerning county powers and county boards; amending 
          Minnesota Statutes 1984, sections 375.055, by adding a 
          subdivision; 375.48, subdivisions 1 and 2; 375.49, 
          subdivisions 1 and 2; 375.50; 375A.07, subdivision 1; 
          475.52, subdivision 3; chapters 370; 371; 372; 374; 
          376; 377; 392; and 395; proposing new law coded in 
          Minnesota Statutes, chapter 382; repealing Minnesota 
          Statutes 1984, sections 374.05; 377.02; 377.04; 
          392.01; 392.02; 392.03; 395.01; 395.02; and 395.03. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1984, chapter 370, is 
amended to read: 
    370.01 [CHANGE OF BOUNDARIES; CREATION OF NEW COUNTIES.] 
    The boundaries of counties may be changed by taking 
territory from a county and attaching the same it to an 
adjoining county, and new counties may be established out of 
territory of one or more existing counties, as hereinafter 
provided.  No such A new county shall contain less than at 
least 400 square miles, nor have less than at least 2,000 
inhabitants, nor shall it and have an assessed valuation of less 
than at least $4,000,000.  No An existing county shall not be 
reduced in area below 400 square miles, nor so as to have less 
than 2,000 inhabitants, nor so as to or have an assessed 
valuation of less than $4,000,000.  
    In existing counties having an area of more than 3,500 and 
less than 6,000 square miles, boundaries may be changed and new 
counties established having an assessed valuation of not less 
than at least $2,500,000.  
    No change in the boundaries of any county having an area of 
more than 2,500 square miles, whether by the creation of a new 
county, or otherwise, shall detach from such the existing county 
any territory within 12 miles of the county-seat thereof.  
    370.02 [PETITION.] 
    A separate petition for each affected county to be affected 
thereby, signed by the voters therein equal in number to at 
least one-fourth of those voting in such the county at the last 
preceding election, giving the residence of each signer, may be 
filed with the secretary of state, and a copy thereof with the 
auditor of each county, not less than at least 90 days before 
any general election, praying for requesting a change of county 
boundaries, or that a new county be is established out of 
territory to be taken from one or more existing counties.  If 
the petition be is for a change of boundaries, it shall must 
contain a description of the territory to be taken, the name of 
the county from which the same territory is to be detached, and 
the county to which the territory is to be attached;.  If the 
petition is for the establishment of a new county, the petition 
shall it must state the name of the proposed new county, a 
description of the territory to be included therein, giving 
boundaries, the name and location of the proposed county-seat, 
and the names and places of residence of the persons who shall 
constitute the first county board.  
    370.03 [PROCLAMATION; ONLY ONE PROPOSITION.] 
    If it appears that each petition is signed by the requisite 
number of persons who are voters in each of the affected 
counties affected, of which latter fact the affidavits of the 
persons procuring the signatures thereto shall be prima facie 
evidence, the secretary of state shall notify the governor of 
the filing thereof, who, not less than 60 days before such 
election,.  The affidavits of the persons obtaining the 
signatures shall be prima facie evidence that each petition is 
signed by persons who are voters in each of the affected 
counties.  The governor shall issue his a proclamation, reciting 
at least 60 days before the election, stating that such the 
petitions have been so filed, and the substance thereof of the 
petitions, and directing that the question of such change of 
boundaries, or the establishment of such a new county, as the 
case may be, be submitted to the voters of the affected counties 
to be affected thereby at such the election; but in no case 
shall.  No more than one proposition may be submitted at the 
same election, except for mutual exchange of territory between 
counties.  
    370.04 [RECORD PETITION; PUBLISH NOTICE.] 
    Upon issuance of the proclamation, the secretary of state 
shall record the petitions, affidavits, and proclamation, and 
transmit a certified copy of the proclamation, by mail, to the 
auditor of each county.  
    370.05 [NOTICE OF ELECTION; FORM OF BALLOT.] 
    The notice of the next general election of county officers 
shall must specify that the question of forming the new county, 
or changing the boundaries of existing counties, as the case may 
be, will be voted upon at such the election, and shall must 
state substantially the facts set forth in the petition.  If the 
proposition be is for a change of boundaries, the ballots shall 
have printed thereon include the words:  "For changing county 
boundaries.  Yes.  No."  If for the establishment of a new 
county, the words:  "For a new county.  Yes.  No. ".  Each of 
the last two words, "yes" and "no," shall be followed by a 
square in which the voter may make a cross to indicate his 
choice.  
    370.06 [CANVASS; JUDGES OF ELECTION; COUNTY CANVASSING 
BOARD.] 
    The judges of election judges, in addition to the returns 
required in other cases, shall, within 24 hours after the 
canvass is completed, transmit to the secretary of state, by 
certified mail, their certificate of the number of votes cast 
for and against any proposition submitted; and within 24 hours 
after the canvass is completed.  The county canvassing board 
shall make return of the vote as in the case of votes for state 
officers, and.  The return shall also must show the result of 
the vote for and against any proposition submitted, in such the 
proposed new county, as well as in the entire county affected by 
such the election. 
    370.07 [CANVASS; PROCLAMATION; SECRETARY OF STATE; AUDITOR; 
NOTICE TO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.] 
    The state canvassing board shall canvass such the returns 
at the time of canvassing the votes cast for state officers, and 
in the same manner; and it.  The board may resort to use the 
returns received from the election judges for the correction of 
to correct errors and supply omissions in the returns of the 
county canvassing board, and for supplying omissions therein.  
When the canvass is completed, the board shall make and file 
with the secretary of state its a certificate declaring the 
result of the vote; and, with the secretary of state.  If the 
certificate shows that the proposition has received a majority 
of the votes cast thereon in each affected county to be affected 
thereby, and also has received a majority of the votes 
cast thereon in the territory forming the proposed new county, 
if the proposition was for the establishment of a new county, 
the governor, within ten days thereafter, shall issue his a 
proclamation declaring that the same proposition has been 
adopted within ten days after completion of the canvass.  The 
secretary of state shall record the certificate and proclamation 
in his office, and transmit a certified copy of the proclamation 
to the auditor of each county whose territory is 
affected thereby.  The auditor shall, if the proposition was for 
the establishment of a new county, serve a certified copy on 
each of the persons elected as county commissioners of the new 
county.  The proclamation shall also be published with the 
general laws enacted at the next session of the 
legislature thereafter.  
    370.08 [EFFECT OF PROCLAMATION.] 
    Upon the issuance of the proclamation, the proposed change 
of boundaries shall become becomes effective; and,.  If the 
proposition was for the establishment of a new county, it shall 
thereupon become becomes duly organized; but.  The territory 
included therein of the new county shall remain attached, for 
judicial purposes, to the county from which it was taken, until 
the officers of the new county have been appointed and have 
qualified, as provided in section 370.09.  
    370.09 [COMMISSIONERS TO QUALIFY, ELECT CLERK, APPOINT 
COUNTY OFFICERS.] 
    Immediately after the service upon them of copies of the 
governor's proclamation, the persons chosen as commissioners 
shall meet at the place named as the county-seat and qualify.  
The county board shall elect one of its members to act as clerk 
until the auditor shall have is qualified; and shall then 
appoint the county officers, beginning with the auditor, and the 
appointed persons so appointed shall qualify as required by law. 
    370.10 [FILLING VACANCY IN COMMISSIONER DISTRICT CAUSED BY 
CHANGE OF BOUNDARIES.] 
    In all cases when If a change in the boundaries of any a 
county shall have heretofore resulted, or shall hereafter 
result, in the abolishment of any abolishes a commissioner 
district or districts in the county, by the removal of all the 
territory of such the district or districts from the original 
county, or otherwise, or in creates a vacancy or vacancies in 
the board of county commissioners of the original county, for 
the filling of which provision is not otherwise made provided 
for by law, and when in such case the board of county 
commissioners shall be is left with less than five members or 
with an even number of members, the governor shall forthwith 
immediately, upon the issuance of his the proclamation declaring 
such the change in the boundaries of any county, appoint a 
sufficient number of members to complete a board of five 
commissioners for the county; or, if the board, after the change 
of boundaries, shall have been is left with more than five 
members, to complete a board consisting of an odd number of 
members, and shall designate, in his the appointment, the name 
of the retiring commissioner succeeded by each commissioner 
appointed by him.  
    370.11 [COMMISSIONER AT LARGE; QUALIFICATION.] 
    Each commissioner so appointed by the governor shall be 
chosen from the county for which he is appointed, shall not be a 
resident of any town which already has a member on the board, 
and shall be known as a commissioner at large.  The appointment 
shall at once be communicated to the auditor of the county, who 
shall immediately notify the appointee; and the.  The latter 
appointee shall qualify as such a commissioner, in the same 
manner required as to other commissioners in the same county, at 
any time within five days after notice of his the appointment.  
His Failure so to do so shall be deemed considered a refusal 
of the office, and the governor shall thereupon appoint another 
commissioner at large in his stead, and similar proceedings the 
same procedure shall be had as before followed until the vacancy 
shall be is filled.  
    370.12 [DUTIES OF AUDITOR; MEETING OF BOARD.] 
    Immediately upon the appointment and qualification of such 
the commissioner or commissioners at large the county auditor 
shall give written notice, in writing, delivered personally or 
by mail, to each commissioner in the county, of a meeting of the 
board, which.  The meeting shall be held not less than at least 
five, nor but not more than ten, days thereafter, and, together 
with such other business as may then come up for 
attention, after notice is given.  The meeting's business shall 
include any business which may have been required by law, or by 
previous proceedings, to be transacted by the board of the 
county board at a meeting held after such the change of 
boundaries became effective and before the vacancies thereby 
caused created were filled, and which shall was not have been 
then transacted, shall be disposed of at the meeting so held 
after the qualification of such the commissioner or 
commissioners at large, and shall have like the effect and 
validity as if accomplished at the prior meeting; and.  Further 
proceedings required to follow the commissioners' action on such 
these matters shall be taken within the times or on the dates 
provided by law, or within such a reasonable time thereafter as 
will permit of the after giving notice as required by law and of 
the earliest possible adjustment of affairs to the usual routine.
    370.13 [REDISTRICTING OF COUNTY; SUBSEQUENT ELECTION.] 
    At least six months before the next general election in the 
county held next after the appointment and qualification of the 
commissioner or commissioners at large, unless there is less 
time shall intervene between such the appointment and 
qualification and the election, in which event the action herein 
provided for shall be taken at the first meeting after such the 
commissioners shall have qualified, the board shall proceed to 
re-divide its the county into five commissioner districts, five 
in number, to be numbered from 1 to 5, unless otherwise provided 
by law; and,.  At the next general election held in the county 
after such the redistricting, a commissioner shall be elected 
from each district, the member from each odd-numbered district 
to hold for the term of two years a two-year term, and the 
member from each even-numbered district to hold for the term of 
four years a four-year term, and thereafter all commissioners, 
except those elected or appointed to fill vacancies for 
unexpired terms, shall be elected for the term of four years 
four-year terms.  If, upon such the redistricting, causes any 
new district shall to cover the same territory as any one of the 
old districts, the commissioner elected from such the old 
district shall continue to act as commissioner from the new 
district for the remainder of the term for which he was 
elected.  In case a contest, or other litigation, shall be is 
pending involving the legality of the change of boundaries of 
the county, the redistricting herein provided for shall not be 
made until after such the contest, or other litigation, has been 
finally determined in favor of such the change of boundaries.  
In such this event, if the term of any commissioner at 
large shall expire expires before the county is redistricted, 
his a successor shall be elected by the voters of the entire 
county, whose for a term shall be of four years, unless sooner 
ended, as in under this chapter provided for, or otherwise.  
    370.14 [BOUNDARIES RESTORED AFTER CONTEST.] 
    If, as the result of a contest, or other litigation, 
involving the change of boundaries of any such county, it shall 
follow, after the appointment or election of any commissioner or 
commissioners at large, that the territory detached from the 
county by the change of boundaries shall, by final determination 
of the courts, be is restored to it by the final determination 
of the courts as a result of a contest or other litigation 
concerning the change of boundaries of the county, after the 
appointment or election of the commissioner or commissioners at 
large, the term of office of all such commissioners each 
commissioner at large shall at once terminate upon immediately 
after the election or appointment and qualification of a 
commissioner for the district of the former commissioner whose 
place on the board is occupied by him; and, the commissioner at 
large.  If the term for which the former commissioner was 
elected shall has not have expired, he the former commissioner 
shall, within 30 days after the final determination 
restoring his the district to the county, qualify as required by 
law and hold his office for the remainder of his the term;.  
Otherwise the vacancy shall be filled by appointment as in other 
cases.  
    370.15 [CENTER LINE OF HIGHWAY TO BE BOUNDARY OF COUNTY IN 
CERTAIN CASES.] 
    Where a city of the fourth class is situated in one county 
and such city adjoins a city of the first class in another 
county, and where the center line of a highway runs running 
along the boundary line between these cities and the boundary 
line between the counties and where the center line of the 
highway deviates from the boundary line between these cities and 
counties, but the boundary line between the cities and counties 
is within or on the lateral limits of the highway, then the 
center line of the highway between the cities and the counties 
shall be established as the boundary line between the city of 
the fourth class and the city of the first class and as the 
boundary line between the counties in which the cities are 
situated cities and the counties.  
    370.17 [TOWNS, SCHOOL, AND ROAD DISTRICTS.] 
    The several towns, school districts, and road districts 
whose boundaries are unaffected by the change of county lines 
shall continue to be such the same in the new county, or county 
to which transferred, under the same officers as before.  
Fractions of such towns or districts as are divided by the 
changed county lines shall be reorganized by the county board of 
the county in which they are placed, or be attached to adjoining 
towns or districts, as the board shall deem considers best.  
    370.18 [RECORDS TRANSCRIBED.] 
    All records in the office of the county recorder affecting 
real estate transferred under this chapter from one county to 
another shall be transcribed by the county recorder of the 
county to which such the transfer is made, and he shall receive 
such compensation therefor as the board of commissioners of the 
county to which the records are transmitted shall fix.  In like 
the same manner and with like effect, the county auditor shall 
transcribe from the auditor's office such the records and 
documents as that the county board shall direct, for which he 
shall receive six cents per folio directs.  The board of 
commissioners of the county to which the records are transmitted 
shall pay the county recorder and the county auditor for 
transcribing the records.  These transcribed records shall have 
the same effect, for all purposes, as the originals. 
    370.19 [TAXES; LEVY; COLLECTION.] 
    No transfer of territory under the provisions of this 
chapter shall affect the collection of taxes levied at the date 
of the filing of the petition therefor, but all such.  The taxes 
shall be collected by the officers of the original county, and 
all moneys then money remaining in or afterward coming into the 
treasury of the original county, or into the possession of 
any county officer of the county, and belonging to any town, 
school, or road district in the territory transferred, shall be 
apportioned and paid over to such the town or district in the 
same manner as if such the town or district had remained a part 
of such the original county.  After the filing of the petition 
no county tax shall be extended, by or on behalf of the original 
county, upon any property within the territory proposed to be 
transferred, unless and until the proposed change shall have has 
been rejected.  
    370.20 [NEW COUNTIES; TAX LEVY.] 
    When a new county shall have has been, or may hereafter be, 
created and organized out of territory embraced within the 
boundaries of one or more organized counties in the state, the 
county board of the newly created new county may, immediately 
upon the or within 90 days after its organization thereof, or at 
any time within 90 days thereafter, levy a tax for county 
purposes for the current year, subject to the limitations now 
provided by law, and the county auditor of the county shall 
forthwith extend the same tax upon the auditor's tax books of 
his office, and it shall be.  The tax is due and payable from 
and after 30 days from the date of the levy thereof, and shall 
be paid and collected as other taxes for county purposes are now 
paid and collected; and any and.  All tax levies made for county 
purposes by the county board of the county or counties out of 
which the new county is created and organized, during the year 
immediately preceding the organization of the new county, so far 
as the same shall which affect the territory embraced within the 
boundary of the new county, are vacated and any 
extension thereof is hereby declared void.  
    370.21 [TRANSFER OF PLATS.] 
    The county recorder of the county from which a land 
transfer is made under this chapter shall deliver the records, 
or certified copies, of the original plats of lands embraced 
land in the territory transferred to another county under the 
provisions of this chapter, on file or of record in the office 
of the county recorder of the county from which the transfer is 
made, or certified copies thereof, shall be delivered by such 
county recorder, to the county recorder of the county to which 
the territory is transferred, and by him filed and 
recorded.  The county recorder of the county to which a land 
transfer is made shall then record and file the records. 
    370.22 [COUNTY INDEBTEDNESS; COUNTY BUILDINGS.] 
    All transferred territory so transferred shall continue is 
liable for its proportion of the excess, if any, of the 
indebtedness of the original county above the value of its 
county buildings and of the balance of funds in its 
treasury.  Such The share shall be based upon the last 
assessment, and the value of the buildings, unless agreed upon 
by the respective county boards, shall be fixed by the sworn 
appraisal of three disinterested citizens, none of whom shall be 
a resident or taxpayer in either county, and who shall be 
appointed by the governor, upon the written application of the 
board of either county.  The appraisal shall be in writing, 
subscribed and verified by at least two of such appraisers, and 
filed in the office of the secretary of state, and shall be 
final and conclusive.  Within five days after the filing of the 
appraisal, the secretary of state shall transmit to the auditor 
of each of such the counties a certified copy of the appraisal, 
application, appointment and oath.  
    370.23 [COUNTY BONDS; PAYMENT AND ISSUE.] 
    The county board of the county to which such territory is 
transferred shall make provision for payment of such pay for 
indebtedness by levying a tax therefor at the time fixed by law 
for so doing; and, for the purpose of meeting any portion of the 
indebtedness which may become due before the same it can be 
raised by taxation, and providing for the necessary county 
expenses, such the board in any such new county may issue bonds 
of its county, with coupons attached, for not exceeding in 
amount the sum of more than $10,000, to run for a period of not 
more than ten years, bearing interest at a rate not exceeding 
six percent per annum of interest as authorized under section 
475.55.  
    370.24 [PENALTY FOR REFUSAL TO ACT.] 
    The validity of the establishment of any such new county 
shall not be affected by the failure or refusal of any county 
officer to do any of the acts or things required by this 
chapter, but any officer who shall refuse refuses or wilfully 
neglect neglects to perform any required duty herein required 
shall be is guilty of malfeasance in office. 
    Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1984, chapter 371, is amended 
to read: 
     371.01 [COUNTIES MAY CONSOLIDATE.] 
    Two or more counties may be consolidated into a single 
county in the manner provided in this chapter.  
    371.02 [PETITION.] 
    A petition for each affected county to be affected thereby, 
signed by voters thereof equal in number to at least one-fourth 
of those voting in such the county at the last preceding 
biennial general election, giving the residence of each signer, 
shall be filed with the secretary of state not less than at 
least 90 days before any general election, praying for 
requesting the consolidation of the counties therein named, 
specifying the name of the proposed new county and the name and 
location of the proposed county-seat.  
    371.03 [PROCLAMATION.] 
    If it appears that each petition is signed by the requisite 
number of persons who are voters in each of the affected 
counties affected, of which latter fact the affidavits of 
persons procuring the signatures thereto shall be prima facie 
evidence; and, if the petition otherwise conforms to the 
requirements of section 371.02, the secretary of state shall 
notify the governor of the filing thereof, who, not less than 60 
days before such general election,.  The affidavits of persons 
obtaining the signatures shall be prima facie evidence that each 
petition is signed by persons who are voters in each of the 
affected counties.  The governor shall issue his a proclamation 
reciting at least 60 days before the election, stating that such 
the petitions have been so filed, the substance thereof of the 
petitions, and directing that the question of such consolidation 
shall be submitted to the voters of the respective affected 
counties to be affected thereby at such the election.  
    371.04 [NOTICE OF PROCLAMATION.] 
    Upon the issuing of After the proclamation is issued, the 
secretary of state shall record the petitions, affidavits, and 
proclamation, and transmit a certified copy of the proclamation, 
by mail, to the auditor of each county.  
    371.05 [NOTICE OF ELECTION.] 
    The notice of such the general election shall must specify 
that the question of consolidating the counties will be voted 
upon at such the election, and shall state substantially the 
facts set forth in the petition.  The ballots upon such for the 
proposition shall have printed thereon include the words: 
    "Shall the following named counties (inserting the names) 
be consolidated into a single county? 
    Yes .......... 
    No .........." 
    371.06 [JUDGES; CANVASS OF VOTES.] 
    The election judges of election, in addition to the returns 
required in other cases, shall canvass, count, certify, and 
return, as in such other cases, to the county auditor the votes 
cast upon the proposition, and.  The county canvassing board 
shall canvass and make return of such the votes as in the case 
of votes for state officers, which.  The return shall must show 
the result of such the vote for and against the proposition so 
submitted.  
    371.07 [STATE CANVASSING BOARD TO CANVASS RETURNS.] 
    The state canvassing board shall canvass such the returns 
at the time of canvassing the votes cast for state officers, and 
in the same manner.  When the canvass is completed the board 
shall make and file with the secretary of state its a 
certificate declaring the result of the vote with the secretary 
of state, showing the number of votes cast in each county for 
and against consolidation.  If 60 percent of the votes 
cast thereon in each affected county affected by the proposed 
consolidation be in favor thereof is for the consolidation, the 
secretary of state shall record the certificate and shall 
deliver a certified copy thereof to the governor, who shall 
issue a proclamation declaring the result.  Upon the issuance of 
After the proclamation is issued by the governor, the 
consolidation shall become is effective and operative on the 
first day of January 1 following such the general election.  
    371.08 [GOVERNOR TO APPOINT FIRST COUNTY BOARD.] 
    The governor shall, within 60 days after issuing such 
proclamation, appoint five qualified electors residing within 
the territory of such consolidated county to constitute the 
first board of county commissioners for the new county, within 
60 days after issuing the proclamation, who shall qualify as 
provided by law.  The several officers of each affected county 
so affected shall continue in office until the consolidation 
proceedings become effective, as provided in this chapter, with 
all the powers and duties of their respective offices, except as 
provided in this chapter.  
    371.09 [MEETING OF COUNTY BOARD.] 
    The board of county commissioners for the new county shall 
meet at the county-seat at a time designated in the order of the 
governor appointing them and elect one of its number as 
chairman.  The auditor of the county in which the county-seat is 
located shall act for and be as the recording officer of the 
board until the consolidation proceedings become effective.  
At such the meeting, or at any adjournment thereof, the board 
shall divide the new county into commissioner districts by an 
order defining the boundaries of each district, which.  The 
order shall be filed with the auditor of each county affected.  
    371.10 [DUTIES OF COUNTY BOARD.] 
    The board of county commissioners shall meet at a time in 
July to be fixed by it, and shall levy a tax for such the new 
county in the manner now provided by law for levying taxes for 
county purposes; and.  The chairman thereof shall certify to the 
auditor of each county affected thereby the amount so levied, 
and.  The county boards of the respective counties so to be 
consolidated shall not in such year levy any tax for county 
purposes in this year.  
    371.11 [COUNTY AUDITORS TO MEET.] 
    At the time of levying such When the tax is levied, the 
county board shall fix set a time for a meeting of the auditors 
of the counties affected and shall certify such the date to the 
county auditors at the time of when certifying the levy.  At the 
time specified The county auditors shall meet at the county-seat 
and shall, at that meeting, or any adjournment thereof, 
ascertain and determine set the tax rate of taxation for such 
the new county, based upon the aggregate assessed valuation of 
the consolidated counties, and at that meeting or any 
adjournment.  Each auditor shall extend such the taxes within 
his the county in the manner provided by law, and shall, on the 
first Monday in January following, deliver the appropriate books 
to the treasurer of the new county for collection on the first 
Monday in the following January, as provided by law.  
The several officers of the new county shall have all the powers 
and be subject to all the duties in reference to for the 
collection of delinquent taxes levied by the consolidated 
counties as would have been previously possessed and performed 
by the several officers of the respective counties had no before 
the consolidation been effected became effective.  
    371.12 [COUNTY BOARD TO APPOINT NEW OFFICERS.] 
    The county board of the new county shall, prior to the date 
on which the consolidation becomes effective, appoint electors 
residing within such the new county to the several county 
offices thereof, who before the consolidation becomes 
effective.  The new officers shall qualify on the date that such 
the consolidation becomes effective, in the manner now as 
provided by law therefor.  All the books, records, and files of 
the several offices of the consolidated counties shall be 
delivered to the appropriate officers of the new county.  
    371.13 [COUNTY BOARD TO PROVIDE COURTHOUSE.] 
    The county board of such the new county shall, on or before 
the date such consolidation becomes effective, make appropriate 
arrangements for suitable offices for the several county 
officers before the consolidation becomes effective.  If the 
county is not going to succeed to any building or buildings 
appropriate for such this purpose, the board is authorized to 
may lease suitable space or buildings. 
    371.14 [TITLE TO PROPERTIES OF ALL COUNTIES TO BECOME 
VESTED IN NEW COUNTY.] 
    Upon When the consolidation becoming becomes effective, the 
new county shall become vested with the title to all real and 
personal property, other than moneys money in cash or on 
deposit, of the consolidated counties.  The territory embraced 
within the consolidated counties shall remain liable for all 
indebtedness of the respective counties outstanding and unpaid 
at the time when the consolidation becomes effective.  
Any moneys money on hand, in cash or on deposit, at the time and 
the proceeds of any tax levied by the respective counties, when 
and as collected, shall be applied on the indebtedness.  The 
appropriate officers of the new county shall from time to time 
levy such a tax as may be necessary to provide funds for the 
payment of such to pay the indebtedness as it becomes due, 
which.  The tax shall be spread against the liable taxable 
property liable therefor.  The new county shall have authority 
to enforce any contract and to collect any claims of the several 
consolidated counties by suit or otherwise.  
    371.15 [MAY ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS.] 
    At Any time after the county board has made the original 
tax levy for such the new county and certified the same tax levy 
to the respective auditors, it may issue the certificates of 
indebtedness of such the new county in anticipation of the 
collection of such the levy, which.  Each certificate shall be 
in writing, signed by the chairman, and attested by the 
recording officer of the board, mature not later than before 
December first 1 following the effective date of the 
consolidation, and bear interest at a rate not greater than six 
percent per annum as authorized under section 475.55. 
    Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1984, chapter 372, is amended 
to read: 
    372.01 [PETITION.] 
    When there shall be a petition is presented to the auditor 
of any county a petition substantially in the following form:  
"To the county board of the county of 
............................., Minnesota:  The undersigned legal 
voters of this county pray request that the county-seat thereof 
be changed to (here designate the place)," signed by legal 
voters of the county to a number equal to not less than at least 
60 percent of the whole number those voting therein in the 
county at the last preceding general election, accompanied by 
affidavits of not less than at least two of the signers thereof 
stating that, to the knowledge of affiants, 
    (a) the petition signatures to the petition are genuine, 
    (b) they were subscribed thereto signed within 60 days 
preceding before the date of the affidavits, and that affiants 
are informed and believe that at the time of 
    (c) when signing the petition the petitioners were legal 
voters of the county, 
and it appearing that the notice of intention to circulate the 
petition provided for in under section 372.02 has been was 
given, the auditor shall forthwith immediately file the petition 
and affidavits, and make, seal, and file in his the auditor's 
office an order for a special meeting of the county board to 
consider such the petition, specifying therein.  The order shall 
specify the time of the meeting, which shall be between nine 
o'clock a.m. and five o'clock p.m., and not less than at least 
15 nor but not more than 20 days after such the filing.  The 
auditor shall also cause serve a duplicate copy of the order 
to be served upon each member of the board, personally or by 
mail, not less than at least five days before the time specified 
therein for such the meeting.  
    372.02 [FORM OF NOTICE.] 
    When the order is filed the auditor shall forthwith make, 
seal, subscribe, and file in his the auditor's office a notice 
substantially in the following form:  "To the legal voters of 
the county of (here name the county), Minnesota:  Notice 
is hereby given that a petition is on file in my office, signed 
by legal voters of the county to the number of (here state 
number as shown by the petition and affidavits), praying 
requesting that the county-seat of the county be changed to 
(here designate the place), and that a special meeting of the 
county board will be held at (name the place of meeting), on the 
(state time), to consider the petition, at which time and place 
any legal voter of the county may appear, in person or by 
counsel, and be heard."  The auditor shall cause have ten days' 
posted notice of the meeting to be given in each town therein.  
Proof of posting may be by the affidavit of any person having 
personal knowledge thereof, which of the posting.  The affidavit 
shall be filed in the auditor's office of the auditor, and 
thereafter be is prima facie evidence of the truth of the facts 
therein set forth that the notice was posted.  Two weeks' posted 
notice of the intention to circulate such the petition shall 
must be given at the county-seat.  Proof of the posting shall be 
made in like the same manner as in the case of notice of the 
special meeting of the board.  
    372.03 [DUTIES OF COUNTY BOARD.] 
    At the time and place specified in the notice, proof of its 
service having been filed, the county board shall meet to act on 
the petition, and.  The board shall inquire and determine which, 
if any, of the signatures to the petition signatures are not 
genuine; and which, if any, of the signers thereof were not, at 
the time of signing the same, legal voters of the county; and 
which, if any, of the signatures thereto were not attached 
within 60 days preceding before the filing thereof; and, which, 
if any, of the signatures have been withdrawn.  All such 
signatures shall be stricken from the petition and deducted from 
the count, and a list thereof, certified by the board, shall be 
filed forthwith with the auditor.  Any competent evidence 
offered bearing upon the matters committed to the determination 
of the board shall be received; and to that end any voter of the 
county may appear, in person or by counsel, and be heard in 
respect to these matters, under such reasonable rules and 
regulations as the board may prescribe.  
    372.04 [ORDER FIXING SETTING TIME OF ELECTION.] 
    If the names of the legal voters of the county remaining 
affixed to the petition shall equal or exceed at least 60 
percent of those voting therein at the last preceding general 
election remain on the petition, the auditor, upon the after 
filing of the certificate, shall make, under his official seal, 
and file in his the auditor's office, an order fixing setting 
the time of holding for a special election upon the question of 
changing the county-seat to the place designated in the 
petition, which shall not be less than at least 20 nor but not 
more than 30 days after filing the certificate.  
    372.05 [NOTICE; MANNER OF SERVICE.] 
    Upon the filing of When the order is filed, the auditor 
shall cause have two weeks' published notice of the election to 
be given in all the newspapers in the county, and ten days' 
posted notice in each town therein.  The notice shall must be 
substantially in the following form:  "To the legal voters of 
the county of (here name the county), Minnesota: Notice 
is hereby given that a special election will be held in 
the several election districts in the county on the (here insert 
the time), for the purpose of voting to vote upon the question 
of changing the county-seat of the county to (here designate the 
place)."  The auditor shall serve upon the clerk of each town 
and city in the county personally or by mail a duplicate copy of 
the notice, not less than at least 15 days previous to the time 
so fixed for holding before the election.  
    372.06 [PLACE OF ELECTION; NOTICE.] 
    Upon receipt of When the notice is received, every such 
clerk shall cause have ten days' posted notice of the 
election to be given in each election district in his the town, 
substantially in the following form:  "To the legal voters of 
the (here insert specifically the election district), in the 
county of (here name county), Minnesota:  Notice is hereby given 
that a special election will be held at (here specify the 
place), in the election district, on the (here insert the time), 
for the purpose of voting to vote upon the question of changing 
the county-seat of the county to (here designate the 
place)."  The clerk shall file one copy of the notice, with 
proof of the posting, shall be filed by the clerk in his the 
clerk's office.  
    372.07 [CONDUCT OF ELECTION.] 
    As far as practicable such the election shall be conducted, 
and the votes cast, counted, returned, and canvassed, by the 
same officials and under the same provisions of law as in the 
case of general elections.  The polls shall be opened at eight 
o'clock a.m. and closed at five o'clock p.m.  The ballots 
shall have printed thereon include the words: "For changing the 
county-seat to (here name the place).  Yes.  No," with a square 
opposite each of the words "yes" and "no," in one of which each 
the voter shall may make a cross to express indicate his 
the voter's choice.  
    372.08 [CANVASS; CERTIFICATE OF CANVASSING BOARD.] 
    When the canvass is completed the canvassing board shall 
forthwith immediately make, subscribe, and file with the auditor 
a certificate setting forth stating the total number of votes 
cast at the election,; the number cast in each election district 
in favor of and against the change, and; the majority in each 
district for or against the same, change; the number cast in 
favor of and against the change in the county,; and the majority 
therein in the county for or against the same change.  If 55 
percent of all the votes cast at the election shall be are in 
favor of the change, the board shall set a date not less than at 
least 60 nor but not more than 90 days after the election after 
which the place so chosen shall be to change the county-seat.  
    372.09 [ELECTIONS HELD ONLY ONCE IN FIVE YEARS.] 
    When an election for a change of county-seat shall have has 
been held in any county no, a subsequent election for the 
removal of the county-seat shall not be held therein, nor shall 
any notice of intention to circulate a petition for such a 
change shall not be published or posted, nor any such and a 
petition shall not be circulated, until after for the expiration 
of next five years; and no such.  A subsequent election 
shall not be ordered unless the petition for the change is 
signed by legal voters to the number of 60 percent of those 
voting in the county at the last preceding general election.  
    372.10 [DUPLICATE PETITIONS CONSOLIDATED.] 
    When two or more such petitions shall be are presented to 
the county auditor substantially at the same time they shall be 
attached together and thereafter constitute one petition.  
    372.11 [ONE PLACE ONLY VOTED FOR.] 
    No An election shall not be called or held under the 
provisions of this chapter for voting to vote upon the question 
of changing any county-seat to more than one place at the same 
time and all such elections shall be held as far as practicable 
at the same place of holding as the last preceding general 
election. 
    372.12 [FAILURE TO GIVE NOTICE.] 
    Wilful failure or refusal by any an owner or manager of any 
a newspaper to publish any notice required by this chapter shall 
not affect the sufficiency of the notice, nor invalidate any of 
the proceedings thereunder.  Failure to post any notice shall be 
disregarded unless it affirmatively appears that a sufficient 
number of voters were thereby prevented from voting to change 
the result.  
    372.13 [NEGLECT OF DUTY A MISDEMEANOR.] 
    Any county auditor or other official who shall wilfully 
neglect neglects or refuse refuses to perform the duties 
required of him by this chapter shall be is guilty of a 
misdemeanor. 
    Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1984, chapter 374, is amended 
to read: 
    374.01 [COUNTY AND CITY OF FIRST CLASS MAY BUILD 
COURTHOUSE.] 
    Any county in this state now or hereafter having within its 
limits a city of the first class may, together with such the 
city, jointly acquire land for, erect construct, equip, furnish, 
maintain, and operate a joint court-house courthouse and city 
hall building to be used jointly by such county and city.  
    374.02 [EXPENSE DIVIDED.] 
    The county and city shall share equally in the cost and 
expense of acquiring land for, erecting constructing, equipping, 
and furnishing such the building shall be borne equally by such 
county and such city.  The building shall not be erected 
constructed or contracted to be erected and constructed, no land 
shall be acquired therefor, and no bonds shall be issued or sold 
by the county, as provided in section 374.03, until the city has 
been authorized to issue bonds to defray pay its proportion 
share of the cost of such land and building and the ordinances 
providing for the issuance of such bonds bond issue have been 
ratified by the vote of the electors of such the city in the 
manner provided in the city charter of such city or by the laws 
of the state of Minnesota law.  
    374.03 [ISSUANCE OF BONDS.] 
    At any time after such When the city shall have has been 
so authorized to issue bonds to defray pay its part share of 
the cost of acquiring a site and of erecting the city hall and 
courthouse building, the county board of county commissioners of 
any such county may issue and sell certificates of indebtedness 
or bonds of such county to defray pay the county's portion 
share of the cost of acquiring land for, erecting constructing, 
equipping, and furnishing such the building in an amount, equal 
to the amount of bonds authorized to be issued by such the city, 
without submission to the vote of the electors of such the 
county, and.  The full faith and credit of the county shall must 
be pledged to the payment of the principal and interest of such 
the certificates of indebtedness or bonds.  In no event shall 
any such The county may not issue its certificates of 
indebtedness or bonds for such this purpose in an amount 
exceeding for more than $2,000,000.  Such The certificates of 
indebtedness or bonds may be issued in one or more instalments 
installments, but the certificates of indebtedness or bonds of 
each instalment shall installment must be serial bonds or 
certificates of indebtedness, a portion of which shall be 
payable each year after issue, but.  None of these certificates 
of indebtedness or bonds shall run for a longer term than 30 
years from their date, and.  The county board of county 
commissioners shall fix the denominations thereof and shall fix 
the dates of maturity of each instalment installment so that the 
amounts necessary each year to pay the principal and interest 
maturing in such the year shall be approximately the same in 
each of the years during which the certificates of indebtedness 
or bonds of the instalment installment shall run.  Such The 
certificates of indebtedness or bonds shall be sold in 
accordance with the provisions of as provided under section 
475.60.  The at a rate of interest shall, in no case, exceed six 
percent per annum authorized under section 475.55.  
    374.04 [BONDS; EXECUTION AND DELIVERY.] 
    Such bonds or certificates of indebtedness shall be 
executed in such manner as The county board of county 
commissioners shall, by resolution, determine the manner of 
executing the bonds and certificates.  The delivery of the bonds 
or certificates of indebtedness so executed at any time 
thereafter shall be valid, notwithstanding any change in such 
officers or in the seal of the county occurring after such the 
execution.  
    374.06 [TAX LEVY.] 
    The county board of county commissioners shall levy a tax, 
at the time and in the manner prescribed by section 475.61, to 
pay the principal and interest of such the bonds or certificates 
of indebtedness.  This section shall not be construed as 
limiting to limit the power of a municipality to levy taxes to 
pay its obligations issued hereunder, but the governing body of 
every municipality shall have the authority and it shall be its 
duty to levy any taxes necessary to provide revenue to pay such 
the obligations.  
    374.07 [LIMITATIONS.] 
    The amount of indebtedness authorized to be incurred by any 
such the county shall be in addition to and over and above any 
limits now fixed by law. 
    374.08 [JUDGES TO APPOINT BUILDING COMMISSION.] 
    As soon as practicable after the city council of any such 
city and the county board of commissioners of any such county 
shall determine decide to proceed with the erection construction 
of a joint court-house courthouse and city hall building, there 
an advisory courthouse and city hall building commission of nine 
members shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure 
of, those persons who shall be the judges of the district court 
of the judicial district of which such the county may be a part, 
not acting in their judicial capacities, an advisory court-house 
and city hall building commission of nine members, to be 
selected as follows:  two members from the membership of the 
city council of such city; two members from the membership of 
the county board of county commissioners of such county; and 
five members at large who shall be freeholders landowners and 
residents of such the county, one of whom shall reside outside 
the limits of such the city. 
    374.09 [PROCEDURE IF JUDGES FAIL TO APPOINT.] 
    If the persons who shall be judges of the district court 
for any reason shall fail to make appointments to the advisory 
court-house courthouse and city hall building commission within 
30 days after the city council of any such city and the board of 
county commissioners of any such county have determined decide 
to proceed with the erection construction of any such the 
court-house courthouse and city hall building, then such the 
advisory court-house courthouse and city hall building 
commission, consisting of nine members, shall be appointed as 
follows:  four members to be appointed by the city council of 
such city, two of whom shall be members of such the city 
council; four members to be appointed by the county board of 
county commissioners of such county, two of whom shall be 
members of the county board of county commissioners; the ninth 
member of the commission shall be appointed by a majority vote 
of the members of the city council and the county board of 
county commissioners sitting in joint session.  
    374.10 [WHO MAY BE MEMBERS OF COMMISSION.] 
    No more than two members of the advisory court-house 
courthouse and city hall building commission shall be at any one 
time members of the county board of county commissioners, and no 
more than two of such the members shall be at any one time 
members of the city council; and, in the event any person 
appointed.  If a member of the commission who was not at the 
time of his appointment a member of either the city council or 
the county board of county commissioners and shall 
subsequently become becomes a member of either body, he the 
person shall thereupon cease to be a member of the advisory 
court-house courthouse and city hall building commission.  
    Immediately after the appointment of the commission, the 
persons appointed as members thereof shall indicate their 
acceptance of their appointment, in writing, filed with the 
auditor of the county.  
    In case any If a person appointed as a member of the 
commission shall fail so fails to file his written acceptance of 
such the appointment within 20 days after such the appointment, 
or in case any member shall die dies, resign resigns, or be 
is removed from office, or in case any of the members a member 
of the commission, who were appointed from the membership of the 
city council or the county board of county commissioners, shall 
cease ceases to be members a member of the council or board, 
their successors a successor shall be appointed in the manner 
and by the same persons as that originally appointed such the 
member.  
    Immediately upon after the expiration of the 20 days 
following the appointment of the members of the commission 
members, or prior thereto upon after the filing of such 
acceptance by all those appointed as members thereof, the 
chairman of the county board of county commissioners shall call 
a meeting of such the commission and shall preside at the first 
meeting.  At such meeting The commission shall select from its 
own members a chairman and such other officers as it may deem 
considers necessary.  
    374.11 [DUTY OF COMMISSION.] 
    As soon as practicable after the appointment of the members 
of such the commission, it shall proceed to select a site or 
sites for such the building and may contract with the owners 
thereof for the acquisition of such to acquire the site or sites 
by gift or purchase, which.  The contract or contracts shall be 
subject to ratification by the city council and board of county 
commissioners; provided, that if the site selected be is not the 
site of any then an existing court-house courthouse and city 
hall building, then the site selected shall must be a site 
located within one city block of the site of any an existing 
court-house courthouse and city hall building.  The commission 
shall not recommend erection of constructing the court-house 
courthouse and city hall on a new site, unless two-thirds of the 
personnel of the commission members are in favor thereof and are 
of the opinion, and .  The commission's report shall so state in 
the report of the commission, that the proposed new site is more 
advantageous to the city and county than the site of the 
existing court-house courthouse and city hall cannot be used for 
such court-house and city hall in a manner as advantageous to 
the city and county as the proposed new site and shall embody in 
its report a statement of and the facts upon which it bases its 
conclusions in this regard, and such this conclusion is based. 
The new site shall must not be finally selected until the report 
shall have has been published in the daily newspapers of the 
city and an opportunity given for the public to present its 
objections thereto, at a hearing on a date not earlier than held 
at least 30 days after such the publication.  As soon as 
practicable after the selection of a site or sites, the 
commission shall report to the city council and the board of 
county commissioners, describing the property selected as a site 
for the building, and the price at which the properties can be 
acquired.  Upon the filing of When the report is filed, the 
county board of county commissioners and the city council shall 
consider the report and may either reject the same or ratify the 
action taken by the commissioners; and, in the event 
that commission.  If either or both of these bodies shall reject 
rejects the commission's report of the commission, the 
matter shall must be resubmitted to the commission for further 
action.  In the event that If the city council and the county 
board of county commissioners shall approve approves the site 
selected by the commission, but shall does not approve the price 
at which the site or sites can be acquired, the city council and 
the county board of county commissioners shall thereupon proceed 
to acquire the property by eminent domain.  The proceedings in 
eminent domain for the acquisition of to acquire the property 
may be instituted and carried to completion in the name of 
either the city or the county, as may be determined by the city 
council and county board of county commissioners, and.  The 
proceedings may be instituted and completed either under the 
laws governing the condemnation of land by counties or under the 
provisions of the city charter of such city relating to the 
acquisition of land by eminent domain, or under the laws of the 
state law relating to the acquisition by cities of land by 
eminent domain. 
    The cost of acquiring this land, whether acquired by 
purchase or eminent domain, shall be paid one-half by such the 
county and one-half by such the city; and, in case.  If the 
property is acquired by eminent domain in proceedings instituted 
and completed by such the city, the county shall reimburse it 
for one-half of the cost and expense of acquiring such the land 
and one-half of the expense incident thereto; and,.  If the 
proceedings are instituted and completed by such the county, the 
city shall likewise reimburse the county in the same manner.  
All land acquired as a site for such court-house the courthouse 
and city hall building shall be owned jointly by such the county 
and such the city; and, in case.  If the entire tract is 
acquired by either such the city or such the county, it shall 
convey an undivided one-half interest thereof shall be conveyed 
to the other upon reimbursement for one-half of the cost of 
acquiring the same land.  
    374.12 [PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS DRAWN.] 
    Either before or after the selection of the building 
site of such building, the commission shall cause to be prepared 
have plans and specifications for such the building prepared and 
may employ architects, engineers, draftsmen, and such clerical 
help as may be deemed necessary for the purpose of preparing 
such to prepare the plans and specifications.  The compensation 
of such employees shall be fixed by The commission and shall be 
paid in equal parts by shall set the compensation of the 
employees.  The city and the county upon presentation of shall 
pay the compensation in equal parts when presented with 
statements therefor certified to be correct by a majority of 
such the commission.  All such contracts and employments 
employment shall be subject to approval by the city council and 
county board of county commissioners.  Upon When the 
completion of the plans and specifications for such the building 
are completed, the commission shall submit the same them to the 
city council and the county board of county commissioners for 
approval.  The council and board shall thereupon approve the 
proposed plans and specifications, or reject them and resubmit 
them to the commission for further consideration; and,.  When 
the plans and specifications are satisfactory to both the city 
council and the county board of county commissioners, each of 
those bodies shall thereupon pass a resolution authorizing and 
instructing the commission to proceed with the work.  
    374.13 [TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS.] 
    Upon the completion of such When the plans and 
specifications are completed and their approval or 
adoption approved by the city council and the county board of 
county commissioners, the commission shall, after notice 
appropriate to inform possible bidders, obtain bids or proposals 
for all or any portion of the work or materials, or both, to be 
done, performed, or furnished in the construction of the 
building.  All bids or proposals shall be sealed by the bidders 
or proposers and shall be filed with the commission at or before 
the time specified for the opening of bids or proposals.  At the 
time and place specified for the opening of bids or proposals, 
the commission shall meet, open the bids or proposals, and 
tabulate the same them, and shall thereupon award the contract 
or contracts to the responsible bidder whose bid or proposal is 
the most favorable to the city or county, or reject all bids and 
proposals.  In the event If all bids or proposals are rejected, 
the commission may, after similar notice, obtain more bids or 
proposals or may modify or change the plans and specifications 
and submit such the modified plans and specifications to the 
city council and the county board of county commissioners for 
approval, and.  When such the modified or changed plans and 
specifications are satisfactory to both the city council and the 
county board of county commissioners, the plans and 
specifications shall be returned to the commission and the 
commission shall proceed to again, after similar notice, to 
obtain bids or proposals.  Any such contract awarded by the 
commission shall be subject to approval by the city council and 
the county board of county commissioners.  
    374.14 [CERTIFIED CHECKS WITH ALL BIDS.] 
    Each person submitting bids or proposals under the terms of 
section 374.13 shall file with his the bid or proposal a 
certified check in an amount prescribed in the specifications of 
the commission for the building, to be retained as liquidated 
damages and divided equally between the city and county in case 
of failure to enter into a contract if he it is awarded the same.
    All contracts shall be in writing and shall be made in the 
name of the county and city proposing to erect such building, 
and shall be executed in their behalf of such county and city by 
the officers empowered by law or charter to execute the 
contracts in behalf of such county and such city.  All 
persons who may be awarded building contracts in connection with 
the erection of such building shall be required to furnish bonds 
in the amount and in the form prescribed as required by the laws 
of the state law relating to contracts for public improvements, 
and such.  The bonds shall run to the county and city erecting 
such building.  
    374.15 [WAGES.] 
    Work specifications for all such work shall contain a 
provision that skilled and unskilled laborers employed in such 
the work shall be paid a wage equal to the wage required to be 
paid by contractors doing work for such the city, if such the 
city has in force an ordinance providing such a scale of wages.  
    374.16 [COST OF REMOVING AND REMODELING.] 
    In the event If the selected site be then is occupied by an 
existing city hall and court-house courthouse, such that and 
temporary quarters must be provided for officers and 
officials located therein pending before completion of the new 
building, the cost of any remodeling of such temporary quarters, 
and moving expenses incident to their occupancy shall be 
considered a part of the cost of the new building.  
    374.17 [COMMISSION MAY APPOINT ARCHITECTS.] 
    The work of erecting constructing, equipping, and 
furnishing the building shall be conducted and completed under 
the direction and supervision of the commission and.  The 
commission members thereof are charged with the duty of 
requiring that the work to be is done in accordance with the 
plans and specifications.  The commission is hereby authorized 
to may employ such architects, engineers, supervisors, 
inspectors, clerks, and other employees as it may deem necessary 
or advisable to supervise and inspect the work and assist in the 
performance of the duties of the commission, and.  The county 
and city shall pay the fees and salaries of such the employees 
in the amounts fixed by the commission, one-half by the county 
and one-half by the city, upon the presentation of when 
presented with statements therefor certified to be correct by a 
majority of the commission.  Such employments shall be The 
employment is subject to the approval of the city council and 
county board of county commissioners in the manner provided in 
this chapter.  
    374.18 [MANAGEMENT OF BUILDING.] 
    If, at the time of the erection of such building, the 
county and city so erecting a court-house and city hall shall 
then be jointly owning own and operating operate a city hall 
and court-house courthouse building under authority and power 
granted by law, the management of the new building shall be 
vested in when a new building is constructed, the same persons 
or committees as that managed the old building then jointly 
owned and operated by such city and county shall manage the new 
building.  In all other cases the management of the building 
shall be vested in, a joint committee consisting of two members 
of the county board of county commissioners selected by the 
board, and two members of the city council selected by the 
council shall manage the building.  The committee shall have 
full charge and management of the building and shall have the 
power to appoint such employees as the committee shall deem 
considers necessary for the proper care, management, and 
operation of the building,.  The committee shall set the salary 
and compensation to be fixed by the committee of the employees, 
and the county board of county commissioners and the city 
council of the city shall each provide an amount sufficient to 
pay one-half of the expense of operating the building.  
    374.19 [TO SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION.] 
    The members of the advisory court-house courthouse and city 
hall building commission and the members of the joint building 
management committee of the city council and county board to 
manage the building shall not receive any compensation for their 
services upon the committee or commission, and.  None of the 
members of the advisory court-house courthouse and city hall 
building commission shall have any financial interest in any of 
the contracts awarded by the commission.  
    374.20 [SALE OR LEASE OF LANDS NOT USED.] 
    In case If any land or buildings owned and used by either 
the county or the city, or jointly owned and used by them, shall 
is not be required for the use of by the county or city, or 
both of them, after the completion of the new building is 
completed, the land and buildings shall be sold as soon as 
practicable and.  The proceeds shall be placed in separate funds 
of the county and city to be and used for the payment of bonds 
or certificates of indebtedness authorized hereunder by the 
county and courthouse and city hall bonds issued by any such the 
city.  The proceeds of such the sales shall be paid into to the 
county and city treasuries in the proportion of ownership of 
each in the real property so sold.  So far as practicable the 
proceeds of such the sales shall be used to pay a portion of the 
bonds or certificates of indebtedness maturing in each year 
after sales in such manner as to make so that the annual 
payments from the proceeds of such the sales as nearly equal as 
may be in each of the years in which bonds or certificates of 
indebtedness mature.  No part of the proceeds of such the sales 
shall be used to pay interest charges on any bonds so issued, 
and.  No part thereof shall be used for any purpose other than 
the payment of maturing bond or certificates of indebtedness, 
unless there is a surplus after the payment of all bonds or 
certificates of indebtedness, in which case such.  The surplus 
shall then be paid into the general sinking fund of such the 
city and county.  
    The city and county are each authorized to may sell or 
lease to the other for a nominal or other consideration, all or 
part of its interest in the aforesaid land or any part thereof; 
provided that, in the event of such sale,.  If the purchasing 
city or county, as the case may be, shall resell such resells 
the land to a purchaser other than the city or county as soon as 
practicable, the proceeds of such the resale to shall be equally 
divided between the city and county; provided further that.  If 
said the land or any part thereof is leased by either the city 
or county, as provided above under this section, said the lease 
shall be only for such term and under such conditions as 
will must permit the sale thereof of the land to a purchaser 
other than the city or county as soon as practicable.  
    In the event that If either the city or county shall 
acquire acquires full title to said the property, said the 
city or said county is authorized may, in the sale of such the 
property to, consider their combined economic, financial and 
industrial interests, as well as the price offered, with 
relation to a proposed project thereon, and may include such 
these factors in the specifications or proposals for such the 
sale.  
    This section shall be liberally construed to effectuate 
carry out its purpose, and in the event.  If any portion or 
clause of such the section or clause thereof shall be is held 
ineffectual invalid, the validity of the balance shall not be 
affected.  
    374.21 [AUDITORIUM; MILITARY VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS, MEETING 
PLACES.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM.] If any such the 
city desires to construct an auditorium, such the building may 
be included in the court house courthouse and city hall building 
if the county board of county commissioners shall agree thereto 
and agrees, an agreement is reached between such the board and 
the city council of such city as to on the cost of such the 
addition to the court house courthouse and city hall building, 
and the entire amount of such the additional cost arising from 
the inclusion of such auditorium building in the court house and 
city hall building shall be borne is paid by such the city.  
Nothing herein contained in this section shall require that in 
the event such auditorium is made a part of the city hall and 
court house building the city shall must sell any existing 
auditorium building if an auditorium is constructed in the city 
hall and courthouse building.  In the event If the auditorium is 
included in the city hall and court house courthouse building, 
the management and control of such auditorium shall not be 
vested in managed by the joint building management committee 
hereinbefore provided for to manage of the city hall council and 
court house building, but the management and control of the 
auditorium shall be vested in such city county board.  The city 
shall manage the auditorium and shall pay for any additional 
expense in the care, upkeep, and maintenance of the court house 
courthouse and city hall building arising from the inclusion 
of such an the auditorium shall be borne by such city.  
    The city council of any such city issuing and selling bonds 
as herein authorized for the purpose of defraying the expense of 
acquiring land for erecting, equipping, and furnishing any such 
joint court house and city hall building is hereby authorized 
and empowered without reference to any such advisory court house 
and city hall building commission or other public body or bodies 
to reconstruct, remodel, and improve the theater section of any 
municipal auditorium building located in any such city and to 
defray the expense, not in excess of the sum of $25,000, of 
reconstructing, remodeling, and improving the theater section of 
any such building from the balance of the proceeds of the 
issuance and sale by such city of any such bonds, remaining 
after the expense of acquiring land for erecting, equipping, and 
furnishing any such joint court house and city hall building has 
been defrayed, as herein provided.  
    Subd. 2.  [MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM BUILDING; COUNTY 
EQUIPPING.] The A county board of any such county issuing and 
selling bonds as herein authorized for the purpose of defraying 
the expense of to pay for acquiring land for erecting 
constructing, equipping, and furnishing any such a joint court 
house courthouse and city hall building is hereby authorized and 
empowered, without reference to any such advisory court-house 
and city hall building commission, to may appropriate and expend 
spend not more than $10,000 from the funds provided by the sale 
of such bonds for the purpose of bond proceeds for equipping any 
a municipal auditorium building situated located in any a city 
of the first class located within any such the county, without 
reference to the courthouse and city hall building commission or 
other public body or bodies.  
    Subd. 3.  [VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS, MEETING PLACES.] If, in 
the opinion of the city council and county board, it is 
inadvisable to provide meeting halls or quarters in the city 
hall and court house courthouse, for veteran organizations the 
membership whereof is composed of persons who served the United 
States in the army, navy, or marine corps in the civil war, 
Spanish-American war, Philippine Insurrection, Boxer Uprising, 
Chinese Relief Expedition, World War I and World War II, and for 
the auxiliaries to or of those organizations and their 
auxiliaries, and in the opinion of those bodies such halls or 
quarters should be provided, the county board and city council 
may provide not to exceed the sum total of $20,000 to be 
expended in 1947 or any year subsequent thereto out of the 
balances remaining in the funds referred to in Minnesota 
Statutes 1945, section 374.23, more than $20,000 for the 
improving of such halls or quarters in a municipally-owned 
auditorium building for such the organizations and their 
auxiliaries out of the balances remaining in the funds referred 
to in section 374.23.  In If the event halls or quarters in a 
municipal auditorium are improved for the use of such the 
organizations and their auxiliaries, such the halls and quarters 
shall be under the sole control and management of the same 
persons or committees as that manage the city hall and court 
house courthouse building; and.  All costs of heating, lighting, 
and operation of such operating the halls or quarters shall 
be the expense of such paid by the persons or committees; 
provided, that.  The last named persons or committees may, if 
they so elect, direct such the organizations and their 
auxiliaries to form a joint housing or other proper committee to 
represent and act for such the organizations and their 
auxiliaries in all matters relating to such the halls and 
quarters and to prepare and adopt rules and 
regulations prescribing setting the time when, manner in which, 
and conditions under which such the halls or quarters or 
portions thereof shall be used by the several organizations and 
auxiliaries; and provided further, that in the event such.  If 
the joint housing or other committee be is formed, any rules or 
regulations by it adopted shall, before becoming effective, 
adopts must be approved by the persons or committees having 
control and management of such the halls or quarters before 
becoming effective.  
    374.22 [MAY RECONSTRUCT AUDITORIUM.] 
    The city council of any such city issuing and selling bonds 
as herein authorized for the purpose of defraying the expense of 
to pay for acquiring land for erecting constructing, equipping, 
and furnishing any such a joint court-house courthouse and city 
hall building is hereby authorized and empowered, without 
reference to any such advisory court-house and city hall 
building commission or other public body, may use not more than 
$25,000 from the balance of the bond proceeds remaining after 
paying the expense of acquiring land for constructing, 
equipping, and furnishing the joint courthouse and city hall 
building, to reconstruct, remodel, and improve the theater 
section of any municipal auditorium building located in any such 
the city and to defray the expense, not in excess of the sum of 
$25,000, of reconstructing, remodeling, and improving the 
theater section of any such building from the balance of the 
proceeds of the issuance and sale by any such city of any such 
bonds, remaining after the expense of acquiring land for 
erecting, equipping, and furnishing any such joint court-house 
and city hall building has been defrayed, as herein 
provided without reference to the advisory courthouse and city 
hall building commission.  
    374.23 [COMMISSION; REPORT, FILING.] 
    Upon When the completion of the erection and equipping of 
the city hall and court house courthouse building is completed, 
the commission herein provided to be appointed shall make and 
file a report with the district court of the county, the office 
of the county auditor of any such county, and the city clerk 
of any city of the first class located in such county a report 
of its proceedings, setting forth.  The report shall state, in 
general terms, the acts performed by such the commission 
pursuant to under this chapter, as well as the contracts which 
were let in the erection construction and equipping of such the 
building, and the balances remaining in the funds provided by 
the sale of bonds, as herein provided.  Upon the After filing of 
such the report the commission shall thereupon be is 
discharged.  The city council of any such city and the county 
board of commissioners of any such county may, not later than 
within ten years from the date of the filing of such the report, 
expend spend the balances remaining in the funds provided by 
sale of bonds for enlarging the court facilities in such the 
building, and for inscribing the names of deceased military 
personnel of World War II, or who had active service on and 
after June 27 26, 1950, and prior to the final cessation of 
hostilities as proclaimed by proper federal authority, on the 
columns in the concourse of said the building, to be done, 
however, only upon the request of the judges of the district 
court in the county in which the building is located.  The 
remainder of the bond proceeds of the bonds shall be used for 
the purpose of retiring to retire the bonds issued hereunder, 
and upon the expiration of the ten-year term, in the event the 
above mentioned under this chapter.  If the improvements to the 
building mentioned in this section have not been contracted for 
within ten years, the funds provided therefor shall thereupon be 
used to retire the bonds.  
    374.25 [JOINT COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING AUTHORIZED.] 
    Any county in this state which does not have within its 
limits a city of the first class, may, together with the city in 
such county which is the county seat thereof, jointly acquire 
land for, erect construct, equip, furnish, maintain and operate 
a joint court house courthouse and city hall building to be used 
jointly by such county and such city.  
    374.26 [PROPORTIONAL DIVISION OF COST.] 
    The cost and expense of acquiring land for, erecting 
constructing, equipping, and furnishing such the building shall 
be borne paid by the county and the city in proportion to the 
amount of space to be used by each governmental unit in the 
building, and.  The architect preparing the plans and 
specifications for such the building shall certify as to the 
amount of space within such the building which is designed for 
use by each governmental unit.  The building shall not 
be erected constructed or contracted to be erected constructed 
and no land shall be acquired therefor and no bonds shall be 
issued or sold by the county, until the city has been authorized 
to issue bonds to defray pay its proportion share of the cost of 
such the land and building and the ordinances providing for 
the bond issue of such bonds have been ratified by the vote of 
the electors of such the city in the manner provided in the city 
charter of such city or by the laws of the state law.  
    374.27 [BOND ISSUE.] 
    At any time after such When the city has been authorized to 
issue bonds to defray pay its part share of the cost of 
acquiring a site and erecting the city hall and court house 
building, the county board of county commissioners of any such 
county may submit to the voters thereof, in the manner 
provided by Minnesota Statutes 1945, under section 375.20, the 
question as to whether or not to issue and sell bonds of such 
the county to defray pay the county's portion share of the 
cost of acquiring land for, and erecting constructing, equipping 
and furnishing such the building.  The full faith and credit of 
the county shall must be pledged to the payment of the principal 
and interest of any such the bonds so issued.  Such The bonds 
may be issued in one or more instalments, but the bonds of each 
instalment shall must be serial bonds, a portion of which shall 
be payable each year after issue, but. None of such the bonds 
shall run for a longer time than 20 years from their date, and.  
The board of county commissioners shall fix the 
denominations thereof and shall fix the dates of maturity of 
each instalment so that the amounts necessary each year to pay 
the principal and interest maturing any year shall be 
approximately the same in each of the years during which the 
bonds of the instalment shall run.  Such The bonds shall be sold 
in accordance with the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 1945, as 
provided under section 475.60. The, at a rate of interest shall, 
in no case, exceed six percent per annum as authorized under 
section 475.55.  
    374.28 [EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF BONDS.] 
    Such bonds shall be executed in such manner as The county 
board of county commissioners shall, by resolution, determine 
the manner of executing the bonds.  The delivery of the bonds so 
executed at any time thereafter shall be valid, notwithstanding 
any change in officers or in the seal of the county occurring 
after their execution.  
    374.29 [COUNTY TAX LEVY.] 
    The county board of county commissioners shall levy a tax, 
at the time and in the manner prescribed by Minnesota Statutes 
1945, section 475.61, to pay the principal and interest of such 
the bonds.  This section shall not be construed as limiting to 
limit the power of a municipality to levy taxes to pay its 
obligations issued hereunder, but the governing body of every 
municipality shall have the authority and it shall be its duty 
to levy any taxes necessary to provide revenue to pay such the 
obligations.  
    374.30 [BOND LIMITATION NOT APPLICABLE.] 
    The amount of indebtedness authorized to be incurred by any 
such the county shall be in addition to and over and above any 
limits now fixed by law.  
    374.31 [BUILDING COMMISSION.] 
    As soon as such the city and such county have both 
authorized the issuance of bonds for the erection construction 
of a joint court house courthouse and city hall building, the 
county board of county commissioners and the city council or 
other governing body of such city shall constitute the court 
house courthouse and city hall building commission of such the 
county, and the chairman of the county board of county 
commissioners shall act as chairman of said the commission.  The 
commission shall select from its own members such other officers 
as it may deem considers necessary.  
    374.32 [JOINT OWNERSHIP OF SITE.] 
    The commission shall select a site for such the building 
and may contract with the owner thereof for the acquisition of 
such to acquire the site by gift or purchase, or such the site 
may be acquired by proceedings in eminent domain, to be 
instituted and carried to completion in the name of either the 
city or the county, as the commission may determine.  All land 
acquired as a site for such court house the courthouse or city 
hall shall be owned jointly by such the county and such the 
city, in the same proportion as each contributes to the 
acquisition of land and the construction of such the building; 
and, in case.  If the entire tract is acquired by either such 
the city or county, it shall convey the proper undivided 
interest therein to the other. 
    374.33 [PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS.] 
    Either before or after the selection of the building site 
of such building, the commission shall cause to be prepared have 
plans and specifications for the building prepared and may 
employ architects, engineers, draftsmen, and such clerical help 
as may be deemed necessary for the purpose of preparing such to 
prepare the plans and specifications.  The compensation of such 
employees shall be fixed by The commission shall set the 
compensation of the employees.  
    374.34 [ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS.] 
    Upon the completion of such When the plans and 
specifications are completed and their approval or 
adoption approved by the commission, the commission shall, after 
notice appropriate to inform possible bidders, obtain bids or 
proposals for all or any portion of the work or materials, or 
both, to be done, performed or furnished in the construction of 
the building.  All bids or proposals shall be sealed by the 
bidders or proposers and shall be filed with the commission at 
or before the time specified for the opening of bids or 
proposals, at which time the commission shall meet, open the 
bids or proposals and tabulate the same them, and shall 
thereupon award the contract or contracts to the responsible 
bidder whose bid or proposal is the most favorable, or reject 
all bids and proposals.  In the event If all bids or proposals 
are rejected, the commission may, after similar notice, obtain 
more bids or proposals or may modify or change the 
specifications, and shall again, after similar notice, otain 
obtain more bids or proposals in the manner hereinbefore 
provided.  
    374.35 [CERTIFIED CHECK; CONTRACTS.] 
    Each person submitting bids a bid or proposals proposal 
shall file with his the bid or proposal a certified check in an 
amount prescribed in the specifications of the commission for 
the building, to be retained as liquidated damages in case of 
failure to enter into a contract if the bidder is awarded 
the same contract.  
    All contracts shall be in writing and shall be made in the 
name of the county and the city proposing to erect such 
building, and shall be executed in their behalf of such county 
or city by the officers empowered by law or charter to 
execute the contracts in behalf of such county and such city.  
All persons who may be awarded building contracts in connection 
with the erection of such building shall be required to furnish 
bonds in the amount and in the form prescribed as required by 
the laws of the state law relating to contracts for public 
improvements and such.  The bonds shall run to the county and 
the city erecting such building.  
    374.36 [SUPERVISION.] 
    The work of erecting constructing, equipping and furnishing 
the building shall be conducted and completed under the 
direction and supervision of the commission and.  The commission 
members thereof are charged with the duty of requiring the work 
to be done in accordance with the plans and specifications.  The 
commission is authorized to may employ such architects, 
engineers, supervisors, inspectors, clerks and other 
employees as it may deem necessary or advisable to supervise and 
inspect the work and assist in the performance of the duties of 
the commission.  
    374.37 [MANAGEMENT.] 
    The management of the building when erected constructed 
shall be vested in the commission which shall have with the 
power to appoint such employees as it may deem necessary for the 
proper care and management and operation of the building, and. 
The commission shall fix their the employees' compensation and 
determine the proportion thereof which is to be paid by the 
county and by the city.  
    374.38 [COMPENSATION OF COMMISSIONERS; ADVERTISEMENT FOR 
BIDS.] 
    The members of the commission shall receive no compensation 
for their services upon the commission other than their 
compensation which they receive as members of the county board 
of county commissioners or of the city council or other 
governing body of such city, and.  No member of this commission 
shall have any financial interest in any of the contracts 
awarded by the commission. 
    Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1984, section 375.055, is 
amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
    Subd. 8.  [TRAINING EXPENSES.] The county board may 
reimburse a newly elected county commissioner for expenses 
incurred prior to assuming office for attendance at a training 
or education program which will familiarize the commissioner 
with official duties. 
    Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1984, section 375.48, is 
amended to read: 
    375.48 [EXECUTIVE SECRETARY; APPOINTMENT; QUALIFICATIONS 
COUNTY COORDINATOR.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [APPOINTMENT; QUALIFICATIONS.] 
Notwithstanding sections 375A.01 and 375A.12, a county board may 
employ an executive secretary a county coordinator upon the 
terms it deems considers advisable.  It may appropriate funds 
and provide suitable office space for the office.  The county 
board shall set the salary of the secretary county coordinator.  
The secretary coordinator shall be chosen solely on the basis of 
training, experience and administrative qualifications and need 
not be a resident of the county at the time of appointment.  The 
executive secretary county coordinator serves at the pleasure of 
the board and employment may be terminated by the board without 
notice.  The board may provide for a termination allowance. 
    Subd. 2.  [COUNTY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE MAY BE APPOINTED.] 
The county board may appoint as executive secretary county 
coordinator any county officer or employee except a county 
commissioner during the term for which he the commissioner was 
elected.  If a county officer or employee is appointed executive 
secretary county coordinator, the board may provide that the 
duties of executive secretary county coordinator are in addition 
to the duties as an officer or employee. 
    Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1984, section 375.49, is 
amended to read: 
    375.49 [DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY COUNTY COORDINATOR.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [COUNTY BOARD TO PRESCRIBE.] The county 
board shall prescribe the duties of the executive secretary 
county coordinator.  Insofar as required by the county board, he 
the county coordinator is responsible to the board for the 
proper administration and management of any assigned duty 
assigned to him and for these purposes is deemed considered the 
head of a department.  
    Subd. 2.  [DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.] The executive 
secretary county coordinator may be assigned any of the 
following duties and responsibilities: 
    (a) To manage any or all of the affairs of the county which 
the county board has authority to control; 
    (b) To examine regularly the books, papers and accounts of 
each department, office, and agency of the county under the 
control of the county board and to report to the board the 
condition in which he the county coordinator finds them and 
other information as the board directs; 
    (c) To submit to the board recommendations concerning the 
affairs of the county, its future financial needs, and its 
offices, departments and agencies as he deems the county 
coordinator considers proper; 
    (d) To see that all orders, resolutions and regulations of 
the county board are faithfully executed; 
    (e) To initiate and present a proposed annual budget to the 
county board for its review and consideration; and 
    (f) To serve as clerk of the county board.  Upon the 
adoption of When a resolution is adopted directing the executive 
secretary county coordinator to assume the responsibilities of 
clerk of the board, the county auditor shall no longer be held 
responsible for the duties as clerk to the board imposed by 
section 384.09. 
    Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1984, section 375.50, is 
amended to read: 
    375.50 [RESCISSION OF RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING EXECUTIVE 
SECRETARY'S COUNTY COORDINATOR'S OFFICE.] 
    The board at any time may rescind the resolution 
establishing the office of executive secretary county 
coordinator.  Any duties and responsibilities previously 
assigned to the executive secretary county coordinator, upon 
adoption of the rescinding resolution, shall be vested in the 
officer or department which had responsibility for the function 
before the transfer of the function to the executive 
secretary county coordinator.  
    Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1984, section 375A.07, 
subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
    375A.07 [EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO THE COUNTY BOARD COUNTY 
COORDINATOR.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [CHANGE IN NAME.] Except as otherwise 
provided in this section, on January 1, 1974, the office of 
county administrator established pursuant to sections 375.48 to 
375.50, shall terminate and the person holding that office after 
said this date shall be known as the executive secretary to the 
county board coordinator.  This subdivision shall not apply to 
any person who on January 1, 1973, held the office of county 
administrator pursuant to sections 375.48 to 375.50 and did not 
on that date concurrently hold an elective county office.  
    Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1984, chapter 376, is amended 
to read: 

                               CHAPTER 376
 HOSPITALS, SANATORIUMS, AND NURSING HOMES
    376.009 [COUNTY HOSPITAL.] 
    For the purposes of sections 376.01 to 376.06, "county 
hospital" means any hospital owned or operated by a county and 
this hospital which may consist of any number of buildings at 
one location or any number of buildings at different locations 
within the county.  
    376.01 [ACQUISITION OF LAND.] 
    The A county board of any county may acquire lands land 
in the county for hospital purposes for patients, other 
than insane the mentally ill.  
    376.02 [BUILDINGS.] 
    The A county board of any county may purchase, erect, or 
construct suitable buildings for hospital purposes for patients, 
other than insane the mentally ill, on any land 
acquired pursuant to under section 376.01, and may improve, 
equip, and maintain these buildings for such hospital purposes. 
The county board may pay for these buildings out of any moneys 
fund in the county treasury not otherwise appropriated or 
issue therefor the warrants or bonds of the county in for 
payment therefor.  The county board may fix the time and terms 
of payment of these warrants or bonds and the amount of interest 
to be paid.  
    376.03 [QUESTION SUBMITTED TO VOTERS.] 
    If a majority of the electors of any county voting upon the 
proposition at any election at which the question of purchasing, 
erecting, and constructing hospital buildings, as provided in 
under section 376.02 is submitted, vote in favor of the 
proposition, the county board shall thereupon proceed to 
purchase, erect, and construct these buildings and make the 
improvements necessary to fit the buildings for hospital 
purposes.  
    376.04 [ELECTION, SEPARATE BALLOT.] 
    The question of purchasing, erecting and constructing 
hospital buildings shall be submitted to the qualified voters of 
any county at a general election and placed upon a separate 
ballot.  This election shall must be called by a resolution of 
the county board which states.  The resolution must state the 
time of the election, that a county hospital is proposed to be 
established, the proposed location thereof, and the same to 
cost, including equipment, for not to exceed more than the sum 
set forth amount stated in the resolution.  Upon passage of When 
the resolutions are passed, the county auditor forthwith 
notifies shall immediately notify each town or city clerk in the 
county that the question of erecting constructing hospital 
buildings will be voted upon at the time stated in the 
resolution, the election to be controlled by the existing in the 
manner provided under the state election laws. 
    The ballot shall must be in the following form: 
    "For the purchase, erection and construction of hospital 
buildings, including equipment, to be located at ............... 
(state location), at a cost not to exceed more 
than ..............  (state amount), pursuant to the resolution 
of the board of county commissioners passed ..................  
(state date).  
    Yes ..........  
    No ............"  
    Electors desiring to vote in favor thereof shall make their 
cross-mark, thus (X), opposite the word "yes," and electors 
desiring to vote against the proposition shall make their 
cross-mark, thus (X), opposite the word "no".  Each of the last 
two words, "yes" and "no", shall be followed by a square in 
which the voter may indicate by a mark (X) either a negative or 
affirmative vote.  These votes shall be cast in the same manner 
as votes cast at the general election and counted by the same 
officers, and.  Returns must be made to the county auditor, and 
canvassed in like the same manner as the returns on county 
officers.  
    376.05 [HOSPITAL AUTHORIZED, ERECTION CONSTRUCTION OF 
BUILDINGS.] 
    If a majority of the electors voting upon the proposition 
vote in favor of purchasing, erecting, and constructing such the 
hospital buildings, the county board shall forthwith proceed to 
immediately purchase, erect, and construct such, and equip the 
buildings as are deemed proper, suitable, and convenient and 
equip the same to effectuate the purpose.  
    376.06 [SUPERINTENDENT, HOSPITAL BOARD; DUTIES.] 
    Subdivision 1.  The A county board of any county having so 
which has purchased, erected and constructed buildings for 
hospital purposes may operate these buildings as such a hospital 
, and may appoint a superintendent therefor for a term to be 
fixed by it, fix his.  The board shall set the superintendent's 
salary, and at pleasure remove him, prescribe his term of 
employment, and powers and duties,; provide for the management 
and operation of the hospital,; and shall operate, control, and 
manage the hospital.  The superintendent shall serve at the 
pleasure of the board.  If the board determines that it is 
in the interest of the public so to do interest, it may appoint 
a hospital board of not less than at least three, nor but not 
more than nine members, who shall must be resident freeholders 
of the county residents and landowners, and who shall to serve 
without compensation unless the county board authorizes the 
payment of compensation and reimbursement of expenses for 
service on the hospital board, which.  Notwithstanding section 
375.44, if compensation and reimbursement if so are authorized 
notwithstanding the provisions of section 375.44, they shall be 
the same as authorized for service on the county welfare board.  
Subject to its supervision, the county board may commit the 
care, management, and operation of the hospital to such the 
hospital board and. The county board may provide for the 
organization and regulation of such the hospital board, its 
duties and the duties of the members thereof, and such further 
regulation in reference thereto and to regulations for the 
management, operation, and control of the hospital as are 
proper, necessary, or desirable.  The county board may lease and 
let unto the hospital grounds and buildings to a responsible 
hospital association such hospital grounds and buildings upon 
such for terms as it deems considers advisable.  Sections 
376.01 to 376.06 do not permit any county board to purchase, 
erect and construct any such hospital buildings or to 
pay therefor for them without first submitting the question to 
the vote of the people.  No such purchase, erection or 
construction of buildings or payment therefor may be made unless 
a majority of the electors voting upon the proposition vote in 
favor thereof.  
    Subd. 2.  A county commissioner may be appointed by the 
county board of which he is a member to any hospital board as 
provided in Minnesota Statutes 1961, under sections 376.009 to 
376.09, except that this subdivision shall not apply to except 
for any hospital board operating a county hospital as defined in 
Minnesota Statutes 1961, Section 376.009 located in a city of 
the first class.  
    376.07 [ADDITION TO COUNTY HOSPITAL.] 
    When, pursuant to the provisions of sections 376.01 to 
376.06, the county board of any a county has been heretofore, or 
shall have been hereafter, authorized by the voters to construct 
an addition to the county hospital of such the county under 
sections 376.01 to 376.06, whether or not also authorized to 
equip such the addition, and the board shall have ascertained 
and has determined that such the addition, whether with or 
without equipment, cannot be completed within the cost 
authorized, or shall have has determined that, to complete the 
improvement, certain alterations should be made, or fixtures or 
equipment added, either in the original building, or in the 
addition, or both, the board may be authorized to expend spend a 
specified additional amount for each, any, or all of the 
purposes herein mentioned in this chapter, either by vote of the 
people of the county at a general or special election, at 
which or by petition.  If an election is held, the proposition 
so to do shall be submitted and disposed of substantially in the 
same manner as provided by sections 376.01 to 376.06; or, in 
lieu of a vote at such an election,.  If by petition of a number 
of voters of the county equal to, the petition must be signed by 
a majority of the votes cast therein those voting at the last 
preceding general election.  Such The petition may be in the 
form of one document or of several documents of substantially 
like tenor and effect in the same form, and shall be filed with 
the county auditor.  Any A special election thereunder may be 
called in any the manner by law provided for the calling of 
special county elections.  Upon When authority being is granted 
by the voters, in either manner herein provided, the board may 
thereupon proceed accordingly and,.  If it shall have 
theretofore the board made or attempted to make a contract or 
contracts in excess of for more than the authority first 
granted, it may ratify and carry out such the contracts, or any 
thereof.  
    376.08 [COUNTIES, APPROPRIATIONS FOR HOSPITALS AND NURSING 
HOMES.] 
    The board of county commissioners in any county in this 
state having 50,000 inhabitants, or less, is hereby authorized 
to with a population of 50,000 or less may appropriate up to 
$65,000 annually from the general revenue fund of such the 
county a sum not exceeding $65,000 in any one year to aid in for 
the acquisition of lands for hospital purposes, and the 
erection, construction, improvement, alterations, equipment and 
maintenance of hospitals within such the county and.  The board 
may also appropriate up to $25,000 from the general revenue fund 
of such the county a sum not exceeding $25,000 for the 
acquisition of land and construction of municipally owned 
nursing homes within such the county.  
    376.09 [AID TO HOSPITALS IN COUNTIES HAVING NO COUNTY 
HOSPITAL.] 
    In any county in this state in which there is no county 
hospital, the county board is hereby authorized and empowered to 
may appropriate and pay money from the general fund of the 
county, as aid in for the erection, construction, and 
maintenance in such county of a hospital in the county for the 
treatment of sick, diseased, and injured persons, a sum not 
exceeding $5,000, and.  Admission preference shall always be 
given in the admission to such hospital of such to patients as 
who are, in whole or in part, public charges, and are 
sent thereto to the hospital by the county board.  
    376.55 [COUNTY NURSING HOME.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [AUTHORITY.] (a) Any county singly, or any 
group of counties acting jointly are hereby authorized to may 
establish a county nursing home, in sections 376.55 to 376.57 
and 376.58 to 376.60 also termed "nursing home," for the care 
and treatment of chronically ill or convalescent persons with 
the consent of a majority of the county board;  
    (b) In addition to its usual meaning, the phrase 
"chronically ill or convalescent persons" as used in sections 
376.55 to 376.57 and 376.58 to 376.60 includes or persons who 
need nursing home care because old age or infirmity renders 
makes them unable to properly care for themselves;, with the 
consent of a majority of the county board.  
    (c) (b) Any county, or group of counties, which owns a 
nursing home, may establish and operate an attached or related 
facility for the purpose of providing supportive services to 
elderly persons who are not yet in need of nursing home care.  
Supportive services may include congregate housing, adult day 
care, and respite care services.  
    Subd. 2.  [ESTABLISHMENT.] The A county board of any 
county, or any a group of counties acting jointly, may establish 
a nursing home and a facility for supportive services as 
provided in under sections 376.55 to 376.57 and 376.58 to 
376.60, by converting suitable existing county owned buildings, 
by leasing suitable premises, or by acquiring a suitable site by 
gift, purchase, or condemnation proceedings instituted in the 
name of the county or counties and erecting constructing 
suitable buildings which are equipped, maintained, enlarged or 
otherwise modified to be the same as a nursing home. 
    Subd. 3.  [FINANCING.] The county board of any county in 
this state may transfer surplus funds from any fund except the 
road and bridge, sinking or drainage ditch funds for the purpose 
of establishing, maintaining, enlarging, or adding to a county 
nursing home.  When surplus funds are not available for 
transfer, a county board may issue bonds to defray pay the cost 
of establishing, equipping, furnishing, enlarging, or adding to 
a county nursing home, subject to the provisions of section 
376.56. 
    Subd. 4.  [PURCHASE OF INTEREST IN EXISTING HOME.] Any A 
county, or a group of counties, not maintaining a nursing home, 
either alone or in connection with another or other counties, 
may purchase an interest in an existing county nursing home if 
the county board or boards owning such the nursing home decide 
by majority vote of each county board to admit such the county.  
The sum to be paid for admission to ownership shall be fixed by 
The county board or boards owning such the home with due regard 
for shall set the cost for admission to ownership, taking into 
consideration their investment in such the home.  Any county 
admitted under this provision shall have all the rights and 
privileges provided for in sections 376.55 to 376.57 and 376.58 
to 376.60.  
    Subd. 5.  [COUNTY DEFINED.] Whenever Where in sections 
376.55 to 376.57 and 376.58 to 376.60 the word "county" is used, 
it refers to a county acting singly, or as one of a group of 
counties acting jointly, unless the context clearly indicates 
otherwise.  
    Subd. 6.  [WITHDRAWAL OF INTEREST.] Any county board may 
withdraw its interest in any a county nursing home if the county 
board or boards owning such the nursing home decide by majority 
vote of each county board to allow such the withdrawal.  The sum 
to be paid to the county withdrawing shall be fixed by The 
county board or boards owning such the home with due regard 
for shall set the amount to be paid to the withdrawing county, 
taking into consideration their investment in such the home.  
    376.56 [TAX LEVIES AND BONDS.] 
    Subdivision 1.  The county board of any county establishing 
or participating in establishing a nursing home, under section 
376.55 may annually levy a tax in the amount necessary to defray 
pay all or its proportion of the net costs of maintenance and 
operation of the nursing home after taking into consideration 
payments received for care of residents, and a. The board may 
levy an additional tax to repay the cost of acquiring, 
establishing, equipping, furnishing, enlarging, or adding to a 
county nursing home, and to pay the principal of and interest on 
general obligation bonds issued by it for that purpose.  
    Subd. 2.  The proceeds of taxes for costs of maintenance 
and operation shall be paid by the county by which they are 
collected into a county nursing home fund, which, in the case of 
counties operating jointly, shall be kept in the treasury of the 
county in which the nursing home is located and shall be 
expended spent as provided in sections 376.55 to 376.66.  
    Subd. 3.  Bonds issued under section 376.55, subdivision 3, 
may be general obligations of the county and may be issued and 
sold, and taxes levied for their payment in accordance with as 
provided under chapter 475.  No election shall be required to 
authorize the issuance of such bonds bond issue for the purpose 
of improving, remodeling, or replacing an existing nursing home 
without increase of increasing the number of accommodations for 
residents.  The revenues of the nursing home shall also be 
pledged for the payment of the bonds and for any interest and 
premium, if any, thereon.  A portion Part of the proceeds may be 
deposited in the debt service fund for the issue, to capitalize 
interest and create a reserve for the purpose of reducing or 
eliminating to reduce or eliminate the tax otherwise required by 
section 475.61 to be levied before issuing the bonds.  The 
remaining proceeds from the sale of the bonds and any surplus 
funds transferred pursuant to under section 376.55, subdivision 
3 shall must be credited to and deposited in the county nursing 
home building fund of the county in which the nursing home is 
located. 
    Subd. 4.  The county treasurer of the county in which the 
nursing home is located shall make payments out of the county 
nursing home fund and county nursing home building fund on 
properly authenticated vouchers of the county nursing home 
administrative board, as provided in sections 376.58 and 
376.59.  The county treasurer of each county issuing general 
obligation bonds pursuant to under subdivision 3 shall pay such 
the bonds and interest thereon from the county's debt service 
fund and shall be the custodian of net revenues transmitted by 
the administrative board for the payment of such the bonds. 
    376.57 [DETERMINATION TO ESTABLISH.] 
    In establishing a jointly owned and operated county nursing 
home or facility for supportive services, each of the 
cooperating counties shall determine by a majority vote of the 
county board of that county that it is in favor of the 
establishment of the home or of the facility, the place of its 
location, and the approximate amount to be expended spent for 
the establishment of the proposed nursing home or facility under 
the authority provided in section 376.55 and.  Each county shall 
authorize the payment by that county of its proportionate share 
of that the cost of the establishment.  The proportion of costs 
of that the establishment, and of costs of maintenance and 
operation of the nursing home or facility to be paid by each 
county shall be set by terms agreed upon by each of the 
participating counties.  
    376.58 [SUPERVISION.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [DESIGNATION OF COUNTY NURSING HOME 
ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD.] The county board of any county 
establishing a county nursing home and facility for supportive 
services may designate any board under the jurisdiction and 
control of the county board to supervise that the nursing home 
and facility, and that board shall constitute the nursing home's 
administrative board for that county.  
    Subd. 2.  [NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD; CREATION; 
COMPENSATION.] Whenever two or more counties, through their 
county boards of county commissioners, have agreed to maintain a 
county nursing home and facility for supportive services 
under the authority provided in section 376.55, the county 
commissioners of each county shall designate a board from each 
of the cooperating counties as the county nursing home 
administrative board.  Immediately after their designation as 
the county nursing home administrative board, the boards of the 
cooperating counties shall hold a joint meeting and elect a 
chairman, vice chairman and secretary who shall be the executive 
committee; provided, however, that.  Each county shall have not 
less than at least one representative on the executive 
committee, provided also that and where more than three counties 
participate in establishing a nursing home, the executive 
committee shall be expanded by one member for each additional 
county above three to the end so that no county will have less 
than one member on the executive committee.  The first joint 
meeting of the county boards that have been designated as the 
county nursing home administrative board shall, in the first 
instance, be called by the chairman of the county board of the 
county in which the county commissioners have agreed to locate 
the proposed home and facility, and thereafter they.  The board 
shall meet annually, and at such other times as are deemed 
considered necessary.  Members of the county nursing home 
administrative board, and its executive committee, other than 
members of the county board of county commissioners, shall be 
paid for each day spent in transacting the business of the board 
or the committee shall be compensated and.  Each member, 
including members of the county board of county commissioners, 
may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred by them in 
connection with their official duties; such.  Compensation and 
reimbursement for expenses shall be paid from the county nursing 
home fund in a manner and amounts agreed upon by the county 
boards.  Nothing in This subdivision shall be construed to does 
not prohibit the payment of a per diem to county 
commissioners pursuant to under section 375.055, subdivision 1. 
    Subd. 3.  [NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD; POWERS, 
DUTIES.] The county nursing home administrative board shall have 
the power to may establish, operate and maintain a county 
nursing home and facility for supportive services within the 
limits prescribed in under sections 376.55 to 376.57 and 376.58 
to 376.60.  The county nursing home administrative board may 
delegate to the executive committee defined in subdivision 2 the 
authority to supervise the establishment, management and 
operation of the county nursing home and facility for supportive 
services, including the approval of expenditures and such other 
business as is necessary for the efficient operation of the home 
within such the general policies as have been established by the 
county nursing home administrative board.  The county nursing 
home administrative board may authorize a sum to pay payment of 
incidental expenses of the nursing home in accordance with the 
provisions of under section 375.16.  
    Subd. 4.  [EXPENDITURES, APPROVAL.] The county nursing home 
administrative board, or its executive committee, if so 
designated as provided in subdivision 2 delegated to do so, 
shall approve by a majority vote all expenditure vouchers, and 
the chairman of the board or committee approving them shall 
thereafter then transmit them to the county auditor of the 
county in which the home and facility are located for payment. 
    Subd. 5.  [ESTIMATES OF COST.] Preparation of estimates of 
costs for the operation of the nursing home and the facility for 
supportive services shall be submitted as required by the 
administrative board of the nursing home or as called for by the 
county board.  The fiscal year for the nursing home, and the 
facility for supportive services if it is appropriate, may be 
the reporting year designated by the commissioner of human 
services.  
    Subd. 6.  [ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS.] The county's nursing home 
administrative board is empowered to may accept as a trust any 
gift, donation, or endowment from any source, whether subject to 
special provisions of the donor or not, and such.  The gifts, 
donations, or endowments shall be placed to the credit of 
credited to the county nursing home fund in the treasury of the 
county in which the home and facility are located and, 
disbursed, as to the county nursing home administrative board 
shall disburse the principal or income as the donors may have 
indicated, by the county nursing home administrative board.  
    Subd. 7.  [RESIDENT FUNDS; UNCLAIMED MONEY.] The 
administrator of a county nursing home shall have the care and 
custody of all moneys money belonging to residents which may 
lawfully come into his hands as allowed by law and shall keep 
accurate accounting records of all transactions concerning such 
moneys the money as prescribed required by the commissioner of 
health and the commissioner of human services.  
    376.59 [COUNTY BUILDING FUNDS.] 
    When a the county nursing home administrative board is 
satisfied that each county in a cooperating group of counties 
has available its share of the cost of establishing the nursing 
home and facility for supportive services, it shall so certify 
this information to the county board of each cooperating county, 
which.  The county board shall order the county treasurer of 
that county to pay over to the treasurer of the county in which 
the nursing home is to be located, the county nursing home 
building funds in the possession of the county treasurer.  The 
county nursing home's home administrative board shall 
then proceed to carry out the purposes of sections 376.55 to 
376.57 and 376.58 to 376.60.  
    376.60 [ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD OR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE; 
POWERS, DUTIES.] 
    The county nursing home administrative board or its 
executive committee is authorized may: 
    (1) To secure hire an administrator and all necessary 
employees for the management and control of the nursing home, 
and to prescribe their compensation and duties;  
    (2) To arrange for physicians' services and other medical 
care for the residents in the home; 
    (3) To purchase equipment, supplies and services necessary 
in the care and maintenance of the nursing home and the 
residents; 
    (4) exercise the county powers authorized under section 
376.55, subdivision 2; 
    (5) institute condemnation proceedings in the name of the 
county or counties involved, conducted in the manner provided 
under chapter 117, in the case of other condemnation proceedings 
by counties; and 
    (6) To perform all other acts necessary to carry out the 
provisions of sections 376.55 to 376.57 and 376.58 to 376.60, 
except those with which the county board or boards are 
specifically charged, including all the powers granted the 
county by section 376.55, subdivision 2, and specifically the 
authority to institute condemnation proceedings in the name of 
the county or counties involved, which shall be conducted in the 
manner provided by Minnesota Statutes 1949, chapter 117, in the 
case of other condemnation proceedings by counties unless 
otherwise provided by law. 
    Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1984, chapter 377, is amended 
to read: 
    377.01 [HOSPITALS AND ALMSHOUSES IN COUNTIES HAVING A BOARD 
OF CONTROL.] 
    In every county of this state in which there exists, or 
shall hereafter exist, where a board of control which is 
maintained by funds supplied in proportionate parts by a city 
within the county and by the county, all receipts received by 
the board of control from the city and county hospital and 
county almshouse shall be deposited in the county treasury and.  
The county treasurer shall be accountable to the city for 
one-third thereof, the same to of the funds, which shall be 
credited to the board of control fund and.  The balance of such 
the receipts shall be credited to the poor fund of the county.  
    377.03 [BONDS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF COUNTY AND CITY HOSPITAL; 
MAXIMUM AMOUNT.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [AUTHORITY TO BOND.] Any county and any 
city within such the county, which maintains a board of control 
by funds supplied in proportionate parts by any such county and 
any such city within such county, under section 377.01 may issue 
and sell in proportionate parts certificates of indebtedness or 
bonds of such the county and such city within such county, in an 
amount not to exceed $210,000, for the purpose of defraying for 
not more than $210,000 to pay the cost of remodeling, altering, 
and equipping the buildings at the hospital and almshouse in any 
such city and in any such county for the purpose of 
increasing to increase the efficiency of the hospital and 
almshouse, to provide for the treatment and care of poor persons 
in such the cities and counties, and to provide additional 
facilities for the purpose of treating persons afflicted with 
tuberculosis; that is to say, that any such.  The county may 
issue not to exceed up to $140,000 worth of such in bonds or 
certificates of indebtedness and that any such the city within 
such the county may issue not to exceed up to $70,000 worth of 
such in bonds and certificates of indebtedness for this purpose. 
    Subd. 2.  [SALE, INTEREST, MATURITY.] The bonds or 
certificates may be issued without submission to the vote of the 
people.  The full faith and credit of the county and the full 
faith and credit of the city shall be pledged separately to the 
payment of the principal and interest of the certificates of 
indebtedness and bonds.  The bonds shall be serial bonds, a 
portion of which shall be payable each year after issue, but 
none of the bonds shall run for a longer term than ten years. 
The county board and the city council shall fix the 
denominations and maturity dates of the bonds, so that the 
amounts necessary each year for the payment of principal and 
interest on these bonds shall be approximately the same in each 
of the years during which the bonds shall run.  The certificates 
of indebtedness or bonds shall be sold in the manner provided by 
section 475.60.  The county board and the city council shall 
determine whether the bonds shall be sold to the purchaser who 
will pay the par value, at the lowest interest rate, or to the 
purchaser who will pay the highest price for the bonds at an 
interest rate to be fixed by the county board and the city 
council as authorized under section 475.55.  
    377.05 [TAX LEVY FOR PAYMENT OF BONDS.] 
    Of the total amount of bonds authorized by section 377.03 
The county shall issue, bear, and pay two-thirds of the bonds 
and the city shall issue, bear, and pay one-third of the 
bonds so issued by the board of county commissioners and the 
governing body of such city, respectively of the total amount 
authorized by section 377.03.  The county board of county 
commissioners of such county and the governing body of any such 
city council shall provide, annually, for the payment of such 
the bonds and interest and shall raise sufficient 
taxes therefor, and for the payment.  If any such the county 
board of county commissioners or the governing body of any such 
city shall fail council fails to make provision in their annual 
tax levies for the payment and redemption of the bonds, with the 
interest thereon as the same become as it becomes due and 
payable, the county auditor of any such county shall add 
to increase the amount of taxes to be raised by any such of the 
county and city an amount sufficient to provide for the payment 
and redemption of such the bonds with the interest due thereon. 
    Sec. 12. [382.37] [TRAINING EXPENSES.] 
    The county board may reimburse a newly elected county 
officer for expenses incurred prior to assuming office for 
attendance at a training or educational program which will 
familiarize the officer with official duties. 
    Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1984, chapter 392, is amended 
to read: 
    392.06 [CREATION OF COUNTY PURCHASING DEPARTMENT.] 
    In order to effect create economies through volume buying, 
and in order to promote competitive bidding, and to provide more 
efficient public service, the county board of any county may 
establish a county purchasing department.  The county board may 
direct an existing county office, department or agency to 
perform the duties of the county purchasing department or may 
create a new department or agency for that purpose.  
    392.07 [DUTIES OF PURCHASING DEPARTMENT.] 
    Subdivision 1.  The county purchasing department shall 
perform all acts necessary to the purchase or contract for all 
supplies, materials, equipment, and contractual services 
required by any or all county offices, departments or agencies.  
The county board shall select the county offices, departments or 
agencies to be serviced by the county purchasing department.  
The board may authorize any county office, department or agency 
designated by the board to purchase directly, without the 
intervention of the director of purchasing, certain specified 
supplies, materials, equipment, or contractual services, and 
shall designate the manner in which such the purchases shall be 
made. 
    Subd. 2.  The county purchasing department also shall 
perform the following duties: 
    (1) Prepare all specifications for supplies, materials and 
equipment; 
    (2) Transfer to or between county offices, departments or 
agencies, or sell supplies, materials, and equipment which is 
surplus, obsolete, or unused.  
    392.08 [DIRECTOR OF PURCHASING; EMPLOYEES.] 
    The county board shall appoint a director of purchasing to 
direct and supervise the operations of the county purchasing 
department.  The director of purchasing shall be qualified by 
training and experience for the position.  The board may appoint 
an existing county officer to serve as director of purchasing.  
The board shall fix the salary of the director and shall require 
him the director to post such a bond as the board determines 
necessary.  The board shall provide the director with such 
assistants, office space, equipment, and supplies as may be 
necessary to carry out the duties of the office.  Except for the 
director, who may be removed from that office by the board for 
reasons of misconduct or incompetency after due notice and 
hearing, all employees of the county purchasing department shall 
be employed in accordance with civil service regulations 
existing in the county, if any such regulations exist.  
    392.09 [RULES AND REGULATIONS.] 
    The county board shall promulgate such adopt rules and 
regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of 
sections 392.06 to 392.10 and shall file them with the county 
auditor.  The board may authorize any county office, department 
or agency designated by it to purchase supplies, materials, 
equipment or contractual services in the open market for 
immediate delivery in emergencies.  It shall define such 
emergencies and designate the manner in which these purchases 
shall be made and afterwards reported to the director of 
purchasing.  
    392.10 [VOIDABLE PURCHASES, CONTRACTS, AND SALES.] 
    The purchase or contract for any supplies, material, 
equipment, or contractual service by any county office, 
department or agency, or the sale of surplus, obsolete, or 
unusable supplies, material, or equipment by any county office, 
department or agency contrary to the provisions of sections 
392.06 to 392.10 is voidable.  The head of the office, 
department or agency is personally liable for the cost of such 
an order or contract and for the reasonable value of supplies, 
material, or equipment sold.  If an order or contract has been 
paid for out of county funds, the amount may be recovered in the 
name of the county in an action brought for that purpose.  
Property sold contrary to the provisions of sections 392.06 to 
392.10, or the reasonable value of the property, likewise may be 
recovered in the name of the county in a similar manner.  
    392.11 [LAWS NOT AFFECTED.] 
    Sections 392.06 to 392.10 are not intended to modify, 
amend, or repeal any law relating to counties in regard to 
bidding or any law existing at the time of passage of sections 
392.06 to 392.10 which authorize the establishment or creation 
of a county purchasing agent or department, or a combined city 
and county joint purchasing arrangement.  
    Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1984, chapter 395, is amended 
to read: 
    395.035 [AID TO POULTRY ASSOCIATIONS.] 
    The A county board of any county is hereby authorized to 
appropriate annually moneys may make an annual appropriation of 
not more than $500 from the county treasury, not otherwise 
appropriated, in a sum not exceeding $100 to aid any poultry 
association organized and existing in the county; provided, the 
poultry association holds at least one annual poultry exhibit 
and pays premiums thereat at the exhibit in at least the amount 
of the appropriation.  
    395.04 [EXHIBITS AT STATE FAIR.] 
    The A county board of county commissioners of any county in 
the state, for the purpose of assisting to maintain an exhibit 
of the products of the county at the Minnesota state fair, is 
hereby authorized and empowered to may appropriate out of the 
general revenue fund of the county such a sum of money as they 
may deem advisable not exceeding $500 annually, exclusive of and 
in addition to such sums of not more than $1,000, not including 
money as may be received by the county as premiums or prizes at 
the state fair for that year.  
    All moneys money derived from premiums or prizes for such 
the county exhibit at the state fair shall be paid into the 
treasury of the county. 
    395.05 [APPOINTMENT OF PERSON TO SUPERVISE.] 
    The A county commissioners board of any county 
appropriating money as provided in section 395.04 shall, at the 
same meeting, or some subsequent meeting, appoint a suitable 
person who shall be a county resident of the county to supervise 
and have full charge of the exhibit and of the disbursement of 
the appropriation.  The compensation of the person shall be 
fixed by The county commissioners board shall set the 
compensation for the position at the same meeting at which the 
person is appointed, such.  Compensation to be shall be paid out 
of the appropriation made for the exhibit.  
    395.06 [APPROPRIATION; BOND.] 
    The appropriation shall be paid in [on] on the county 
auditor's warrant to the person in charge of the exhibit upon 
his after filing a good and sufficient bond with the auditor in 
double the amount of the appropriation, conditioned that he 
shall properly disburse such on the condition that the 
appropriation is properly disbursed for the purpose intended, 
and make that a true account thereof is made to the county 
board of county commissioners as provided in section 395.07.  
The bond shall have two freehold sureties and be approved by 
auditor shall approve the bond.  
    395.07 [STATEMENT TO BOARD.] 
    The person in charge of the exhibit shall render give a 
detailed statement to the county board of county commissioners 
of all the person's expenditures made by him in maintaining such 
to maintain the exhibit, which.  The statement shall be rendered 
not later than given before November 1st 2 of the year in which 
the exhibit is made.  If the statement shall show shows that any 
part of the appropriation is unexpended not spent, such the 
balance shall be paid into the treasury of the county.  Upon the 
approval of the report by When the county board of county 
commissioners, such approves the report, the person shall be 
relieved and discharged from all liability under the bond 
provided for in section 395.06.  
    395.08 [ECONOMIC AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT.] 
    The A county board of county commissioners of any county in 
this state may appropriate not more than $25,000 annually out of 
the general revenue fund of the county, a sum of money not to 
exceed $25,000 for any one county.  The sum appropriated 
shall to be paid to any incorporated development society or 
organization of this state which, in the opinion of the 
board board's opinion, will use the money for the best interests 
of the county in promoting, advertising, improving, or 
developing the economic and agricultural resources of the county.
    Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1984, section 475.52, 
subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
    Subd. 3.  [COUNTIES.] Any county may issue bonds for the 
acquisition or betterment of courthouses, jails, poor farms, 
morgues, libraries, and hospitals, for roads and bridges within 
the county or bordering thereon and for road equipment and 
machinery and for ambulances and related equipment, except that 
the power of counties to issue bonds in connection with a 
library shall not exist in Hennepin county. 
    Sec. 16.  [INSTRUCTIONS TO REVISOR.] 
    The revisor of statutes shall renumber each section 
specified in column A with the numbers in column B.  The revisor 
shall also make necessary cross-reference changes consistent 
with the renumbering. 
          Column A                    Column B
           392.06                      375.72
           392.07                      375.73
           392.08                      375.74
           392.09                      375.75
           392.10                      375.76
           392.11                      375.77
           395.035                     375.78
           395.04                      375.79
           395.05                      375.80
           395.06                      375.81
           395.07                      375.82
           395.08                      375.83
    Sec. 17.  [REPEALER.] 
    Minnesota Statutes 1984, sections 374.05; 377.02; 377.04; 
392.01; 392.02; 392.03; 395.01; 395.02; and 395.03 are repealed. 
    Approved May 10, 1985