Real Voices, Real Impact: Why Policy Committees Matter

Legislative successes start with the voice of a city official, someone who understands the real-life impact of policy on the ground. That’s why the League of Minnesota Cities invites city officials and staff to participate in our 2025 Policy Committees and help shape the League’s legislative platform for the 2026 legislative session.

Each summer, city officials from across Minnesota come together to discuss common challenges, exchange ideas, and help shape the League’s legislative platform. These committees are the foundation of the League’s advocacy at the Capitol—and your voice can be part of that process.

Member-Driven Policy Committees

The League’s four policy committees are built around issues that matter most to cities: fiscal sustainability, service delivery, local economies, and human resources. Over the course of the summer, each committee meets three times to discuss issues and ultimately recommend legislative positions that guide the League’s advocacy work during the next legislative session.

For LMC Second Vice President and Cambridge City Administrator Evan Vogel, serving on policy committees has been both strategic and inspiring.

“First and foremost, they provide the opportunity to participate in discussions that are relevant to cities throughout the state,” Vogel said. “For a city like Cambridge, the League is our primary advocate for legislative issues and if we want the organization to reflect the values of cities across the state, we must be present for these discussions.”

Committee Focus Areas

Improving Service Delivery Committee

This committee addresses policies related to unfunded mandates, environmental mandates, elections, charter law, transportation, government innovation and cooperation, and public safety.

Improving Local Economies Committee

Growth management, land use, boundary adjustments, housing, transportation, economic development and telecommunications are the main focuses of this committee.

Human Resources & Data Practices Committee

Interested in improving employment law, labor relations, data practices, Open Meeting Law, personnel policies, and pensions? This committee might be a great fit for you!

Improving Fiscal Futures Committee

This committee works on policies concerning municipal financial management, property and other taxes, state aid programs, and financial reporting requirements.

What to Expect

Here’s how the policy committee process works:

• Meeting 1 (July): Members share the issues affecting their cities and begin reviewing current policies.
• Meeting 2 (August): Guest speakers and subject matter experts help deepen the conversation. Draft policy language is reviewed.
• Meeting 3 (September): Committees finalize and vote on proposed legislative policies.

“It truly provides the opportunity for members to share issues that are affecting their cities,” said Cathy Sorensen, Blaine’s city clerk and a longtime policy committee contributor. “The format ensures everyone can participate and contribute to real change.”

After the committees complete their work, draft policies are circulated to League members for feedback before final approval by the League Board of Directors in November.

Flexible, Accessible, and Easy to Prepare For

With hybrid meetings and early scheduling, participation is designed to work with your calendar.

“The meetings are very easy to fit into most schedules,” Sorensen said. “They can be attended virtually or in person for even more flexibility.”

Preparation mostly involves reviewing materials in advance—typically a PDF packet sent before each meeting—and reflecting on the challenges your city is facing.

“It’s important to familiarize yourself with the legislative policy priorities of your committee,” Vogel said. “Reflection and engagement within your own organization is also vital. It is important to know the problems that your community and economic development departments are facing if you are going to discuss housing policy, or to understand how the clerk views potential changes to elections law. I have had several opportunities to engage with and learn from my staff through conversations that originated because of policy proposals in these committees.”

Serving Your Community While Strengthening Your Network

Participation isn’t just about policy. It’s also about connecting with peers and expanding your understanding of city government across Minnesota.

“I was excited to participate because it was a great way to meet other professionals in local government,” Vogel said. “There are remarkable people all around the state working hard to improve their communities.”

“I’ve learned so much—not only about policy development, but also about issues I don’t directly work on, like transportation and environmental mandates,” Sorensen said. “It’s a great learning opportunity.”

Advice for First-Timers? “Join.”

If you’re considering getting involved, our members have clear advice: just go for it.

“There’s nothing to lose and a lot to gain,” Vogel said. “Participation helps the League better represent its members’ values and helps your city have a voice in statewide decisions.”

“You can participate at whatever level you’re comfortable with,” Sorensen added. “Whether you’re brand new to local government or have served for years, everyone is given the chance to make an impact.”

Ready to Get Involved?

More than 150 members participated in policy committees last year, and we’d love to see you join this year’s cohort.

Don’t forget—even if you served last year, you’ll need to confirm your participation again this year.

Have questions? Learn more at lmc.org/policy-committees.