As the November 3rd midterm election approaches, much of the public debate naturally gravitates toward city council chambers, mayoral seats, and school board races. Yet at the county level, officials make crucial financial and operational decisions that directly touch the everyday lives of thousands of residents—from local road safety and broadband access to property taxes and social services.
At the center of those decisions for Waseca County’s District 4 is incumbent Board Chair DeAnne Malterer. First elected in 2018 and serving since 2019, the Janesville resident is seeking her third official term on Nov. 3. She faces a challenge from candidate Curt Keyes.
Malterer sat down with The Janesville Journal to reflect on her journey, the core responsibilities of a county commissioner, and her vision for Waseca County over the next four years.
Malterer’s connections to the county run deep. Raised in Iosco Township, she graduated from Janesville High School (Class of 1978) before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education with three majors from the University of Minnesota Morris.
After living briefly outside the area, Malterer returned to Waseca County in the early 1990s. Beyond her 34-year teaching career—spending 18 years in Mankato public schools and 16 years at Trinity Lutheran —Malterer is an active farmer alongside her family. “I know how to run a combine and tractors,” she said, noting her family raises corn, soybeans, and beef cattle. Today, her oldest son manages the daily operations of what has become a proud fourth-generation family farm.
Malterer’s pathway into county government began well before she ever appeared on a ballot. She spent 16 years on the Waseca County Planning and Zoning Commission after being appointed by former Commissioner Richard Androli.
When Androli announced his retirement in 2018, Malterer felt prepared to step forward. “I learned a lot about the zoning process and became deeply interested in how county government works,” she recalled. “When Richard decided not to run, I decided to pursue the position myself. I’ve found the work so interesting and incredibly fulfilling.”
Reflecting on the transition into office, Malterer recalled the advice given by outgoing commissioners about the steep learning curve, often described as “drinking from a firehose.”
“Most commissioners will tell you it takes about two years to truly grasp the position,” she explained. “The first term is really about learning all the underlying systems so you can become truly effective. One reason I love this job is that there is always something new to learn.”
While municipal governments manage city services, counties function largely as administrative extensions of state government. Minnesota is one of roughly a dozen states where counties directly administer Health and Human Services (HHS) to their constituents. “The philosophy behind that structure is simple: the people handing out the services should know the people they serve,” Malterer elaborated.
According to Malterer, the county board operates across three main responsibilities: establishing a clear vision for the county, crafting policies that support that vision, and enacting a budget to put it into action. Budgeting in Waseca County is a rigorous, seven-to-eight-month process that begins in early summer. Department proposals are vetted against multi-year capital plans and strategic goals before the board sets preliminary and final tax levies.
“A huge portion of the county budget is tied to state mandates where we have limited direct control,” Malterer noted. “Solid waste management, public safety, courts, and infrastructure are required responsibilities. In Health and Human Services, shifting federal and state rules for Medicaid and SNAP mean local counties frequently have to absorb cost increases.”
Despite these constraints, Malterer points to targeted local investments that deliver tangible safety benefits, such as widening road shoulders and installing rumble strips along high-risk county corridors to reduce run-off-road collisions. She also highlighted Waseca County’s unique approach to the Board of Appeal and Equalization. Unlike many Minnesota counties where local municipalities handle property tax valuation, Waseca County’s Board of Commissioners directly acts as the equalization board. “It is a complex, fact-based process,” she explained, pointing out that adjustments are driven by historical permit records, five-year physical inspection cycles, and market mass appraisals.
To ensure Waseca County’s voice is heard at higher levels of government, Malterer serves on several regional and state committees, including active leadership roles within the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) and the National Association of Counties (NACo), focusing on health, human services, and rural development. “My motto is: if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” she said. “If you don’t show up to those broader conversations, you’re allowing policy to be dictated to you instead of driving influence on behalf of our local residents.”
One major result of that regional networking was securing Border-to-Border Broadband grant funding to expand fiber-optic internet across the southern portion of Waseca County.
“Inspiration came directly from my work with NACo, and our local county board was incredibly supportive,” Malterer noted. “Getting high-speed fiber internet to rural residents for the first time is transformational.”
Looking ahead to a potential third term, Malterer highlighted three major priorities:
- Broadband Completion: Continuing expansion efforts so all rural residents and businesses have reliable high-speed internet connection.
- New Judicial Center Facility: Replacing Waseca County’s outdated law enforcement building, which dates back to the 1960s. After 20 years of county debate, a concrete plan is moving forward through Request for Qualifications (RFQ), risk assessments, and technical planning. “We don’t just want to erect a new building; we want to lead our staff through a modern transition that makes county operations safer and more efficient for the public,” Malterer emphasized.
- Navigating State HHS Shifts: Protecting local taxpayers while advocating for county needs as state and federal social service rules evolve.
While Malterer admits that campaigning is her least favorite part of the role—calling it “a bit of a popularity contest”—she remains grateful for the community interaction across Janesville and District 4. “Running for office is tough, but serving as Board Chair and talking with neighbors is deeply rewarding,” she chimed. “People in Janesville aren’t shy, and they know me well. I appreciate the open dialogues and encouragement I receive when I’m out in the community.”
Closing her reflections, Malterer expressed heartfelt gratitude to her family, supporters, and District 4 voters. “I need to thank my husband, my children, and my grandkids for all their support,” she shared. “I want to thank the voters of District 4 for trusting me with two terms. I have poured all my background as an educator and farmer into this job. No commissioner operates in a bubble—collaboration is essential. I look forward to continuing to serve Waseca County.”
