Minnesota Government in Brief

Legislature Home | Links to the World | Help | Search

House | Senate | Joint Departments and Commissions | Bill Search and Status | Statutes, Laws, and Rules

House Research home > Minnesota Government in Brief > Government Organization and Employment

Structure of Metropolitan Government and Budgets

In the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area, the legislature created regional agencies to fulfill specific functions.

Metropolitan Council

16 members from districts and a chair from the metropolitan area at large, all appointed by the governor
Plans and coordinates development of region; provides transit and wastewater collection and treatment services

Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC)

Eight members from districts; four members from Greater Minnesota, and a chair, all appointed by the governor, plus one member each from Minneapolis and St. Paul
Owns and operates Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and six other airports in region

Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (MSFC)

Six members appointed by Minneapolis City Council and a chair appointed by the governor
Owns and operates the Metrodome

Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission (MMCC)

18 members; all metropolitan area county commissioners appointed by their respective counties
Monitors and controls mosquitoes, ticks, and black flies in the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District to protect the public from disease and annoyance

Metropolitan Agency Budgets, 2011

	Percent of Revenue Sources
Agency Expenditures (proposed CY 2011 for operating, debt service, and passthrough)	Property Taxes*	User Fees	State	Federal	Other
Metropolitan Council ($760.6 million)
Regional Admin. Policy Alignment and Development and HRA Admin. ($16.6 million)	54	-	-	29	17
Transportation Planning & Transit Operations ($379.4 million)	-	27	59	9	5
Transit Debt Service ($50.4 million)	100	-	-	-	-
Sewer System ($118.5 million)	-	97	2	-	1
Sewer System Debt Service ($92.5 million)	-	100	-	-	-
Parks & Open Space Debt Service ($3.5 million)	99	-	-	-	1
Passthrough Grants & Loans (e.g., housing, parks, RALF, MLCA**) ($99.7 million)	17	-	35	47	1
Metropolitan Airports Commission
MAC ($256.5 million)	-	100	-	-	-
MAC Debt Service ($145 million)	-	100	-	-	-
Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission
MSFC ($12.3 million)	-	100	-	-	-
Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission
MMCC ($17.9 million)	99	-	-	-	1

* Property taxes include state aids in lieu of property taxes.
** RALF stands for right-of-way acquisition loan fund; MLCA stands for Metropolitan Livable Communities Act.
Source: Proposed or adopted 2011 agency budgets

Originally published January 2011.