The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday in the Mower County government center.

Four of the seven-member Olmsted County Board made the trek to Austin. In addition, Richard Devlin, Olmsted County administrator, was there.

The historic "never-happened-before" meeting was Olmsted County's idea.

Matt Flynn, chairman of the Olmsted County Board and a seven-year veteran commissioner, said, "We want to meet with the county boards of all six counties that border Olmsted County. We have problems just like Mower County does and we want to see if we can solve them together."

Beyond serving on mutual boards, committees, commission and task forces, elected officials from the two counties have never had a face-to-face encounter before.

Devlin shared a Powerpoint presentation with the Mower County Board members. It examined an economic impact study of southeastern Minnesota.

Devlin said the planned meetings between the Olmsted County Board and six others in the area were important to "find our common good" and to "speak with one voice."

The state budget crisis has fueled some of the interest in seeking the support of multiple counties when dealing with the Minnesota Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Devlin said the economic impact study showed how "interdependent" the neighboring counties were.

Rochester remains a mecca for job-seekers because of the Mayo Health Systems medical community. The urban sprawl from Rochester is already spilling over into Mower County, causing local planners to designat the northeast corner of the county for residential development in a revised comprehensive plan.

However, Devlin said, Austin's Hormel Foods Corporation also attracts workers from Olmsted County.

One of the key issues being pursed by the Olmsted County Board is

addressing transportation needs. According to the Olmsted County delegation, there really is strength in numbers when out-state counties lobby for transportation funding.

Among the risks cited by Devlin for not working together is "competition for transportation dollars."

Garry Ellingson, 5th District county commissioner and chairman of the Mower County Board, said he welcomed the exchange of ideas and information.

Ellingson reminded all how both counties have cooperated through the decades in law enforcement.

According to Olmsted County's Flynn, Mower County is the first stop on the agenda and the other counties will be visited in the weeks ahead.

After the Devlin's formal presentation about mutual economic development issues, the commissioners enjoyed lunch in the Mower County Board's meeting room. The Olmsted County delegation brought the mid-day meal.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at

lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com