Schulte Elected Chair, Meisner Vice Chair as Anoka County Board Sets Course for 2026

At its annual statutory and organizational meeting on January 6, 2026, the Anoka County Board of Commissioners elected Scott Schulte as chair and Mandy Meisner as vice chair for the 2026 program year, formalizing the leadership team that will guide Minnesota’s fourth largest county through the coming year.

The vote marked both continuity and change for the seven member board, pairing one of its longest serving commissioners with a leader whose tenure has already reshaped the county’s civic landscape.

Scott Schulte, Board Chair

Schulte represents District 4, which includes portions of Andover, Anoka, and Coon Rapids. He has served on the county board since 2013, following twelve years on the Coon Rapids City Council, giving him more than two decades of experience in local government.

Throughout his tenure, Schulte has been a consistent advocate for transportation and infrastructure investment. He has prioritized safety and congestion relief along Highway 10 and Highway 65, corridors that remain central to economic activity and commuter travel across the north metro. Outside of public service, Schulte owns and operates Hi Ten Service, a long established family business based in Coon Rapids, grounding his public work in the perspective of a small business owner.

Mandy Meisner, Vice Chair

Meisner represents District 7, encompassing Columbia Heights, Fridley, and Hilltop. First elected in 2018, she made history as the first woman of color and the first person of color to serve on the Anoka County Board.

Her policy focus has centered on human services, mental health access, and community development. Meisner has been a vocal proponent of expanding pathways into the skilled trades and strengthening mental health support systems, particularly for residents navigating economic instability or family crisis. A graduate of the Perpich Center for Arts Education, her background includes extensive community service and volunteer advocacy, with particular emphasis on supporting survivors of domestic violence.

A Shift Toward Leadership Continuity

During the organizational meeting, Schulte and Meisner outlined a plan to establish a more predictable rotating chair practice. Under this approach, the commissioner serving as vice chair would typically assume the chair role the following year, a move intended to promote continuity, reduce internal friction, and broaden leadership experience across the board.

The board also reaffirmed its committee of the whole structure, under which all commissioners serve together on county committees, a model designed to keep decision making collaborative rather than siloed.

Early Actions of the 2026 Board

In addition to selecting its leadership, the board took several foundational actions that set the tone for the year ahead. Commissioners established the 2026 minimum salaries for the Anoka County Sheriff and County Attorney at $192,566.40 annually. They also awarded a contract for the reconstruction of Baugh Street in the City of Nowthen, selecting a bid from North Pine Aggregate, Inc. that came in well below initial engineering estimates.

To govern its proceedings, the board formally adopted an updated version of Robert’s Rules of Order for all 2026 public meetings, reinforcing procedural clarity as it enters a year that will include budget oversight, infrastructure investment, and human services policy decisions.

As chair and vice chair, Schulte and Meisner now assume responsibility for steering meetings, setting agendas, and serving as the board’s public leadership, a partnership that blends institutional experience with a focus on equity and community centered governance.

MinneapoliMedia