St. Louis County is seeking public input on the job it's doing in a survey that is being mailed out the week of Jan. 13.
Questions cover the quality of life in St. Louis County, what people think of the job the county is doing at providing a wide set of critical services, and how much priority people think the county should place on certain services.
According to a news release, information collected in the survey helps guide decisions on budgets, policy and more. New this year, the county is seeking public input on topics including environmentally sustainable practices and on investments in types of housing and services for people experiencing homelessness.
Approximately 4,900 county residents selected at random will receive a postcard in the mail inviting them to take the survey online. These residents will also have the option to complete a paper copy of the survey.
Results of the survey, which are considered statistically valid, will be shared by early summer and will be taken into consideration by staff and commissioners as they work on the 2026 budget and long-range plans.
"We encourage our citizens, if you are one of the randomly selected households to receive this survey, please fill it out," stated County Board Chair Annie Harala in the release. "We very much value the opinions and information we gain from this survey. In some cases, it becomes rationale to redirect resources, and in other instance we find it reaffirms that people appreciate decisions we've made."
In addition to this scientific survey, the county will later offer an online survey that any resident can complete. Those answers will be kept separate from the official survey but will still be reviewed and taken into consideration.
St. Louis County is partnering with four other counties — Dakota, Olmsted, Scott and Washington — to produce the survey, which is being conducted by Polco/National Research Center Inc. The county has conducted similar surveys every two to three years since 2007, most recently in 2022.
For more information about the 2025 residential survey, call 218-726-2450 or visit stlouiscountymn.gov.
-
During the Phenology Report for the week of Nov. 11, 2025, Staff Phenologist John Latimer covers the changing colors of snowshoe hares, the predicted arrival of snow cover, and more. -
Contributed/Joni LeinonenThis week, we've been asking about the things you made in shop or home economics class. -
Scott Rodgerson/UnsplashThe Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will investigate the Nov. 13, 2025, incident. The names of the victim and law enforcement involved have not been released. -
Chelsey Perkins/KAXEThe Legislature-created task force will host three online public input sessions to gather information from Minnesotans who forage for mushrooms, berries and plants on DNR-managed state lands. -
Events this week include Soup in the Street in Grand Rapids, an open mic night in Park Rapids and performances of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" in Mountain Iron. -
Plus: MnDOT will host an open house on its Highway 34 corridor study in Park Rapids; and a state task force is hosting three public input sessions to gather information on how Minnesotans forage on state lands. -
Contributed/Beltrami County Natural ResourcesThe Minnesota Forestry Association hosted the first of two webinars focused on reforesting the Bemidji area after millions of trees blew down in the June 21, 2025, windstorm. -
Contributed/Ryan WebberNovember is busy at BSU, with groups like the Symphonic Band and Trombone Choir giving concerts. Adjunct Professor Ryan Webber joined “Area Voices” to discuss the upcoming performances. -
Contributed/St. Louis CountyFormer Mesabi East math teacher Ryan Ross Denzer-Johnson entered a plea agreement with St. Louis County prosecutors after being initially charged in August 2025. -
KAXE/Charlie MitchellDuring the week of Nov. 11, 2025, we enjoy reports of a muskrat on the playground, Northern Lights above Duluth, and more. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.
