The Civil Division is tasked with discharging a great many of the statutory duties imposed upon the County Attorney as the County’s legal representative. Because the County Attorney’s statutory responsibilities are so broad with duties that range from the County Board’s legal advisor to the County’s civil litigator, the civil division is essentially a legal “jack-of-all-trades.”

Brief Overview of Division Duties

• Legal Counsel for the County Board
• Civil enforcement of the County’s Public Health Ordinances, which include bringing license suspensions and revocations
• Legal advice to County officers and departments
• Contract negotiation, drafting and review
• Representing the County in condemnation actions
• Administration of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act
• Representing the County in property tax appeals
• Instituting Civil Commitments
• Child Support and Paternity
• Legal advice to County Zoning Administrator, Board of Adjustment and Appeal & Planning and Advisory Commission
• Represent the County in zoning and land use litigation
  
  

The foregoing is but a small taste of the duties and responsibilities of the Civil Division. In sum, the Civil Division is the County’s lawyer.