Ramsey County Manager Announces Organizational Realignment

Ramsey County Manager Announces Organizational Realignment

Four Deputy County Managers appointed to lead new Service Teams


Ramsey County Manager Julie Kleinschmidt today announced an organizational realignment to improve service delivery and strengthen collaboration among county departments.

Following the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners’ adoption of a new vision, mission and goals in February, Ramsey County is transitioning from its longtime department-based structure into five integrated teams. In the previous organizational structure, the County Manager maintained more than 20 direct reports.

Beginning August 1, four new Service Teams will each be led by a newly-appointed Deputy County Manager.

Service Team - Deputy County Manager

Health and Wellness - Meghan Mohs                                                   

Safety and Justice - Scott Williams                                                       

Information and Public Records - Johanna Berg                                     

Economic Growth and Community Investment - Heather Worthington

Working together as the Countywide Strategic Team, Policy and Planning, Finance and Human Resources will continue reporting directly to the County Manager.

The realignment has been accomplished within the county’s existing budget and personnel count by restructuring other management positions.

“This new structure positions Ramsey County to best capitalize on our strengths and talent as we pursue the board’s vision towards a community where all are valued and thrive,” said Kleinschmidt. “Service Teams allow us to streamline decision-making, effectively manage change, generate operational efficiencies and offer more consolidation of services to our residents, businesses and visitors.”

Service Teams have been designed around the principle of ‘Residents First’ and leverage the expertise and experience of departmental staff who provide intersecting services. The integrated teams will focus the remainder of 2015 building work plans for 2016 around these opportunities.    

“Often we have many touchpoints with the same residents. For instance, a parent receiving services working through our Veterans Services department could also have children and participate in the WIC program through Public Health -- resulting in a family with several county contacts,” said Ramsey County Board Chair Jim McDonough. “The realignment will provide efficiencies in how we provide services and how we operate as we pursue our mission to be a county of excellence.”  

About Service Teams and Deputy County Managers

The Health and Wellness service team is made up of Community Human Services, Public Health, Community Corrections, Healthcare Services and Veterans Services.

Meghan Kelley Mohs has held senior leadership positions within the Ramsey County Community Human Services department since December 2007. Mohs has master’s degrees in social work and public policy from the University of Minnesota and a BS from Northwestern University in education and social policy.

 

The Safety and Justice service team consists of Emergency Communications, Emergency Management & Homeland Security, the Medical Examiner’s Office and maintains primary strategic partnerships with the Offices of the Sheriff and County Attorney.

Scott Williams has more than 25 years of public safety experience in local government. For the past eight years, Williams has been Director of Emergency Communications at Ramsey County. Williams holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Geography from the University of North Dakota.

 

The Information and Public Records service team is made up of Property Records & Revenue, Elections, Information Services, Government Relations and Communications.

Johanna Berg joined Ramsey County in July 2011 as Chief Information Officer after 16 years with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, where she held multiple senior leadership positions, including Chief Information Officer. Berg earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Minnesota where she also studied business administration.


Economic Growth and Community Investment is comprised of Parks & Recreation, Property Management, Public Works and Workforce Solutions as well as the Housing Redevelopment Authority, Library and Regional Railroad Authority, which are governed by boards.

Heather Worthington has 15 years of leadership experience in local government organizations. She has served as Deputy County Manager at Ramsey County since October 2010 and as Assistant City Manager at the City of Edina prior to that. Worthington holds a master’s degree in public administration from Hamline University and earned a BA in History from Michigan State University.

 

Julie Kleinschmidt has been Ramsey County Manager since December 2008. Kleinschmidt, a CPA, was previously the county’s Finance director for eight years.

 

Contact: John Siqveland, Public Communications Director, 651-746-9250.

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