Burnsville mayor sworn in today as head of U.S. Conference of Mayors

by Steven John, Minnesota Public Radio

Burnsville, Minn. — The mayor of Burnsville will be sworn in Tuesday as president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Elizabeth Kautz is the first Minnesota mayor to head the non-partisan organization that represents more than 1,100 cities with populations above 30,000 people.

Kautz has been mayor of Minnesota's 10th largest city since 1994.

During that time, she says Burnsville has become a leader in energy efficiency.

She points to a rain garden program that has been emulated elsewhere in the country. Kautz says Burnsville was also in front of the green movement by developing an innovative land fill.

"Because of our partnerships with the private industry," Kautz said, "we have a methane collection plant and that collection plant powers about 2,500 homes."

Kautz said the main challenge facing U.S. cities today is job creation and retention in the global economy. Her term as president of the conference of mayors will run through June 2011.