5.5. SR 03-14-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOME RULE The smallest of Minnesota's 87 counties, Ramsey County was the first and only to be governed by Home Rule. All other Minnesota counties are governed by state statute. Like a constitution, the Ramsey County Charter delineates the duties and responsibilities of this government. The U.S. Census estimated the 2001 population to be 508,667 residents, in a state of 4,972,294. Sixty-six percent of the population falls in the 18-65 age range. The population is almost exactly evenly split between men and women, is about two-thirds Caucasian with a large number of African-American, Asian-American and Hispanic-Latino residents. County policy is determined by a Board of Commissioners comprised of seven members, each from one of the Districts served by the Commission. The Board also determines how monies will be allocated. The Board appoints the County Manager, a professional who directs operations and oversees staff working in fields related to: County administration, law enforcement and corrections, court services, property taxation, health care, human services, libraries, public works, as well as parks and recreation. The County employs approximately 3500 people and has an overall budget of $506 million for 2003. John Norton, noted artist of the Depression Era from Chicago, painted a series of murals to adorn the Council Chamber in the jlzmous Art Deco courthouse The County Organizational Chart follows. ~ SPRINGSTED Page 5