Stearns County Board of Commissioners Elects New Leadership

Saint Cloud, MN, USA / KNSI

Jan 7, 2026 | 9:37 AM

Jennifer Lewerenz/KNSI News

(KNSI) – The Stearns County Board of Commissioners has selected new leadership to guide the board through 2026.

Steve Notch, who represents District 5, was voted chair of the board during Tuesday’s meeting. Notch represents the western half of Stearns County, covering cities including Sauk Centre, Melrose, Albany, and Avon, along with 20 townships. His district spans from Brooten in the west to Holdingford in the east. As chair, Notch will preside over board meetings, sign official documents and act as the board’s leader. The position is elected annually by the five-member board.

Joe Perske, the District 2 commissioner, will serve as vice-chair. Perske’s district includes the cities of Sartell, St. Joseph and St. Stephen, as well as the townships of Brockway, LeSauk, St. Joseph and St. Wendel in the central part of the county.

The leadership change comes as part of the board’s standard annual reorganization process.

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