Olmsted County's strategy, budget, and performance

Olmsted County provides the foundation of a vibrant community. We strive to achieve four long-term goals.

  • Assure safe and healthy communities: We keep the community safe and provide pathways to health, housing, and well-being.
  • Be good stewards of our built and natural environments: We provide excellent transportation, land use, and recreation; protect air, water, and soil quality; and manage waste effectively.
  • Maintain foundations of democracy: We provide fair property valuation and administer fair elections; provide access to documents of record; and provide access to remedy through the judicial system.
  • Provide operational excellence: We develop our employees; use public resources wisely; and plan, adapt and respond effectively.
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One of Olmsted County’s key goals is to assure a safe and healthy community. Learn about county departments, programs, and services that align with this key goal.
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Olmsted County is committed to providing excellent transportation, land use, and recreation; protecting air, water, and soil quality; and managing waste effectively. 

American Rescue Plan Act

Olmsted County has prioritized about $31 million in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These funds, first allocated in May 2021, must be spent before December 2026. Olmsted County has prioritized ARPA funds toward numerous projects aimed at offering resources to help turn the tide on the COVID-19 pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery.

Annual budget

Olmsted County is dedicated to making sound financial decisions and following strong financial policies and practices. We support the priorities of Olmsted County while taking a responsible approach to our county’s commitments to residents, business owners, and community partners. Learn more about our annual budget process by reading our administrator’s budget message or viewing our Budget in Brief.

2023 Budget message from the county administrator

Countywide scorecard and annual board priorities

Olmsted County has created a balanced scorecard to track measures of success impacting county operations that has been approved by our board of commissioners. The balanced scorecard contains measures and targets in each of four perspectives: customer/resident satisfaction and quality of life; financial stewardship; internal processes; and organizational capacity. Please see our 2023 balanced scorecard.

Legislative priorities

The county sets priorities prior to each legislative session to help focus advocacy efforts on initiatives that will support the county’s mission and goals. See the priority items for 2023.  

Performance measures

Each year, Olmsted County participates in a voluntary state measures program, administered by the State Auditor’s Office. This performance reporting provides transparency and comparison with services of other local government jurisdictions in Minnesota to assure quality standards are met.

View the 2021 State Performance Measures Program Report

Survey of residents

Olmsted County regularly surveys its residents to learn more about their quality of life and their experience with Olmsted County government. We use this survey to identify areas of focus for our work to improve the quality of life in Olmsted County and also to improve our services to residents. Please see the 2022 resident survey report below. 

Olmsted County community indicators 

Olmsted County has a population of approximately 163,000 and is one of 87 counties in Minnesota. Community indicators help to understand Olmsted County from a variety of perspectives. These indicators are intended to support county leadership by providing valuable data and information toward fulfilling the county’s mission of “providing the foundation of a vibrant community.” 

Please note, the document below is not machine readable, and therefore not accessible. Please contact PAC support if you require an accessible document.