4.1a ERMUSR 02-13-20244r,;.Z,
EIk Riv
Municipal Utilities
COMMISSION POLICY
Section:
Governance
Category:
Governance Policies
Policy Reference:
Policy Title:
G.2b
Governing Style
PURPOSE:
With this policy, the Commission intends to establish and articulate an institutional philosophy
and approach that will enable it to govern with excellence.
POLICY:
Commission Members, individually and collectively, will act in ways that visibly demonstrate
the ERMU style of governance. Commission members will lead proactively and the Commission
will enforce upon itself the discipline needed to govern effectively and consistently.
Consistent with the preceding general statements:
1. The Commission will guide and inspire Management and staff employees toward a strategic
vision through the thoughtful and proactive development of written policies that express clear
expectations and shared accountability for results.
2. The Commission's policies will reflect its statuary authority, effectively meeting its
responsibilities while representing and balancing the sometimes competing interests of
customers, the ERMU utility business enterprises, the City of Elk River, ERMU employees,
and others who may be affected, either directly or indirectly, by ERMU's decisions and
actions.
3. The Commission will govern ERMU as the significant business enterprise that it is, enabling
ERMU to provide quality services to its customers and prudent financial contributions to the
City, while responsibly managing and sustaining its physical assets and financial resources.
4. The Commission, with support from the General Manager, will set its own agenda for
governance and, to the greatest extent practical, will initiate its own policies. The
Commission will consider and adopt policies in accordance with its stated Principles for
Policy Development. The Commission will routinely review, evaluate and update its policies,
as necessary.
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ERMU Commission Policy — G.2b Governing Style
5. By adopting and enacting its policies, the Commission will create and sustain a governance
structure and processes in which the respective roles and accountabilities of the Commission
and Management are clearly delineated, understood, and mutually supported.
6. The Commission will promote a sense of partnership, trust, and mutual respect among its
individual members, with ERMU Management and staff employees, and with customers,
City, and community interests to provide value to all stakeholders.
7. The Commission will establish and use a variety of methods to promote two-way
communications and dialogue about ERMU's future direction, accomplishments, and major
challenges among its stakeholders.
8. The Commission will support the development of a values -based organization with high
standards of professional conduct, interpersonal behaviors, and self -accountability for results.
9. The Commission will encourage mutual respect, open dialogue and expression of diverse
viewpoints among Commission members and Management; the Commission will
acknowledge and effectively handle disagreements, working toward consensus in its
deliberations and decisions.
10. The Commission will support the hiring and retention of a capable General Manager, who
will be responsible to the Commission for the management and operation of ERMU's utility
businesses. The Commission will also support the General Manager in creating an
organization which attracts and retains capable management and staff employees, and
develops leaders.
11. Commission members will devote appropriate attention, time and energy to govern
effectively. They will understand their responsibilities and take advantage of opportunities
for continuing education and development that improve their governance capabilities.
12. The Commission will seek to create a reputation that attracts qualified and dedicated persons
to become Commission members. It will do this by building public understanding of its
governance role, as well as the commitments and contributions of its individual members.
13. The Commission will periodically evaluate and discuss its policies and the performance of
the ERMU organization in relation to those policies, with particular attention to the needs
and expectations of its various stakeholders.
POLICY HISTORY:
Adopted May 9, 2017
Reviewed February 13, 2024
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