County boards around the metro area started the new year by electing board chairs on Tuesday.
In Hennepin County, board members re-elected Commissioner Mike Opat as chair. He’s been on the board since 1993 and has served six terms as board chair, including the past three years. Commissioner Mark Stenglein was re-elected board vice chair.
Commissioner Peter McLaughlin was re-elected chair of the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority.
Ramsey County: Board members elected Commissioner Rafael Ortega as board chair. He’s one of the board’s top supporters of the proposal to put a Vikings stadium in Arden Hills.
Commissioner Janice Rettman was re-elected board vice chair and chair of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Commissioner Jim McDonough is chair of the Regional Railroad Authority.
In Anoka County, Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah was elected chair, after an attempt by some board members to elect Commissioner Jim Kordiak instead. When that motion failed on a 4-3 vote, Sivarajah was elected on a 6-1 vote, with Commissioner Dan Erhart voting no, said the ABC Newspapers.
Washington County Commissioners elected Dennis Hegberg as their new board chair. Commissioner Lisa Weik was elected vice chair. Weik was also elected chair of the Washington County Regional Rail Authority.
Dakota County Commissioners will select their leadership at the board’s first meeting Jan. 10.
