Counties: We Need To Rethink How We Do Human Services

By Julie Ring, Minnesota Reformer

November 13, 2025

Chuck Johnson raises timely issues in his Reformer commentary, “Time to rethink human services as Trump administration dumps costs on counties.”

Minnesota’s human service system is facing a crisis, and policymakers should seize the opportunity to rethink state and county roles.

The state-supervised, county-delivered structure we rely on today was developed nearly a century ago, in the era of pen and paper, when the most practical way to apply for public assistance was to walk into a county office and fill out forms in person.

But the world has changed dramatically.

Today, Minnesotans expect services that are simple, fast and accessible online — anytime, from anywhere. The county office is no longer as convenient as the phone in our pocket. It is time to rethink how we structure and deliver human services across the state.

Human services programs touch nearly every Minnesotan at some point in life.

The system supports parents caring for young children; adults struggling with mental health or substance use; seniors who need help remaining in their homes; people with disabilities who want to live independently; and families seeking food or housing stability during difficult times.

These are not abstract programs. They support our neighbors, our co-workers, and often our own families. A well-functioning system strengthens families and communities and reduces long-term public costs.

But when the system is confusing, slow, or fragmented, the consequences can be profound both for the Minnesotans seeking help and for the public resources that sustain them.

The core challenge of the state-county system is the disconnect between the Legislature, state agencies and county governments.

The Legislature writes the laws.

State agencies interpret, manage, and supervise them.

Counties are responsible for delivering the services directly to residents.

Over time, layers of well-intentioned rules and safeguards have accumulated, often in response to specific concerns or headlines. Each layer adds complexity — with new forms, verification steps, or reporting requirements. The result is a system that is difficult for residents to navigate and expensive to administer. County staff who want to help people instead spend hours verifying paperwork, chasing documentation, and ensuring compliance with sometimes contradictory requirements.

Historically, the Legislature and state agencies did not feel the urgency to invest in better county technology or streamlined administrative processes, perhaps because by virtue of their roles they do not see the day-to-day inefficiencies that seep into the county budgets. We believe that is changing, as evidenced by the $40 million investment in updating one system last year — but there are many more systems that need the same attention.

For example, counties have estimated that just four areas of inefficiency — duplicate data entry, manual renewals, inefficient programming, and manual notices sent to clients because of system errors — cost more than $23 million per year in staff time.

Compounding the challenge, Minnesota counties are facing a tsunami of new “cost shares” from both federal and state governments, and we are struggling to stay afloat. This method of reducing state and federal budgets does not reduce the overall cost of the programs. It just shifts the cost down to property taxes instead of state and federal taxes.

These challenges are why counties agree that it is time for the Legislature to invest in a comprehensive review of state and county responsibilities.

This review should examine which services are best delivered consistently and centrally — through statewide systems, shared technology platforms, or uniform processes — and which are most effective when localized and tailored to community needs.

For example, eligibility determinations and routine administrative processes may be more efficient if standardized statewide.

In contrast, services like child protection, behavioral health coordination, and support for older adults often require close relationships with local providers, schools, law enforcement and community organizations.

The goal should not be to shift everything to one level or another, but to align responsibility with the level of government best equipped to deliver high-quality service.

Counties are eager to be partners in this work. We see the strain on frontline staff, on families navigating complex requirements, and on property taxpayers funding a system that has not been updated to match modern needs. We also recognize the commitment of the Legislature and state agencies, who share our goal of serving Minnesotans effectively and responsibly.

Our state has a history of innovation and collaboration in public service. Our state-supervised, county-administered system was the right choice for Minnesotans when it was created.

Now, we have an opportunity now to create a more streamlined and sustainable system — one that meets people where they are, reduces administrative burden, and uses public resources wisely.

The Minnesota Reformer is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to keeping Minnesotans informed and unearthing stories other outlets can’t or won’t tell..