Barrows announces County Board reelection bid

Crow Wing County Commissioner Steve Barrows.

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By Dispatch staff report

May 19, 2022 at 6:00 AM

Crow Wing County Commissioner Steve Barrows announced a run for reelection representing the new District 3.

Barrows was elected to his first term on the County Board in 2018. He has served as board chair; and in his role as commissioner currently serves on several boards of regional organizations including Central Minnesota EMS Region, Northeast Minnesota Emergency Communications Board, Sourcewell, Crow Wing Energized, The Center in Brainerd and multiple Crow Wing County committees.

“It has been an honor to represent Brainerd and Baxter residents,” Barrows stated in a news release. “There have been a number of serious challenges that our communities have faced these past few years. I am continuously inspired by the resiliency of my fellow Warriors.”

As he reflects on his first term, there are several accomplishments that stand out, Barrows said.

“Crow Wing County is debt free and our fund balance is almost returned to the recommended level. Our taxpayers deserve the County to be financially stable,” he stated.

Another notable moment was the distribution of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and American Rescue Plan Act funds to local businesses, he said.

“Our small business owners have gone through so much these last few years. They give our communities so much, and I am glad we were able to do our part by giving them these federal dollars,” Barrows stated in the release.

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Looking forward to the next four years, Barrows noted the work is far from over.

“There are several big issues that our communities are facing — like child care availability, broadband access, workforce shortages, and housing. I want the County to continue to be a strategic partner,” he stated.

Barrows grew up in northeast Brainerd and worked for the Minnesota Department of Human Services for 28 years. He served one term on the Baxter City Council before being elected to the Crow Wing County Board. He said he is enjoying retirement with his wife Lexy and spending his time giving back to his lifelong community.

Brainerd’s Ward 2, Precinct 2 was added to District 3 due to the redistricting process. Other parts of District 3 are Brainerd’s Ward 1, precincts 1 and 2; Brainerd’s Ward 3, Precinct 1; Brainerd’s Ward 4, precincts 1 and 2; and Baxter precincts P2E and P2W.

By Dispatch staff report

Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of "staff." Often, the "staff" byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.

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Barrows announces County Board reelection bid

The commissioner was elected to his first term on the County Board in 2018. As he reflects on his first term, there are several accomplishments that stand out, Barrows said.