[30:15] [Captioner present]

[33:02] >> Good morning I'm going to call to order the county board

[33:06] meeting.

[33:07] For Dakota County on August 4th 2026.

[33:10] I'll invite you to stand if you're able to join us

[33:13] in the Pledge of Allegiance.

[33:16] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States

[33:18] of America and to the Republic for which it stands,

[33:18] one nation under God, indivisible,

[33:20] with liberty and justice for all.

[33:34] >> Thank you very much.

[33:36] I'm gonna make a note, we have new technology in this room.

[33:40] I'm still feeling, trying to get comfortable with it.

[33:43] The way our microphones sound.

[33:46] Whether we're pushing buttons or not.

[33:48] So I'll ask everybody's patience as we

[33:51] continue to get to know our technology

[33:54] upgrades in this room.

[33:56] We made the upgrades so that we could have better technology

[34:00] and access for the public.

[34:01] And the public is here today and we

[34:03] have a number of people who have signed up

[34:05] to speak for our audience time.

[34:08] We have a tradition that, in our rural state that people

[34:14] can sign up to speak or come forward

[34:17] to speak to address the board on an item

[34:19] that they wish to speak on that is not on the agenda

[34:21] or that is on the consent agenda.

[34:24] You have five minutes as a member of the public

[34:27] to address the board.

[34:28] And it is not a back and forth so I just want to make sure

[34:33] that everybody understands their procedure,

[34:35] this is your time and your time to present.

[34:38] So with that I have a list if I'm missing anybody, at the end

[34:42] I'll invite anybody who hasn't been heard to come forward.

[34:45] The first person on my list is Reed Scheller.

[34:48] Would you like to come forward?

[34:49] You have five minutes.

[34:51] Welcome.

[34:54] >> Thank you and good morning.

[34:57] Chair and board members.

[34:59] My name is read Schiller -- services at Western Service

[35:04] Center a little bit about me is I'm an individual on the autism

[35:07] spectrum.

[35:08] I served on the Governor's Council and Developmental

[35:10] Disabilities from 2017 through 2023.

[35:13] And the Minnesota Employment Learning Community from 2014

[35:17] through 2018.

[35:18] I have lived independently since 2017 and a non CD8 apartment.

[35:23] And I received support through the DD waiver

[35:26] with individualized home support and some transportation funding

[35:29] for Lyft.

[35:30] I really appreciate this excellent program.

[35:32] For my job I was hired by Dakota County on June 6th 2022

[35:37] and worked five days per week.

[35:39] Six hours per day.

[35:40] My duties include making packets, scanning

[35:44] confidential client information, delivering mail, and checking

[35:48] zip codes and miscellaneous tasks such as refilling

[35:50] copy machines.

[35:52] My duties save time for social workers and children's

[35:55] mental health, child protection, child care licensing,

[36:00] and other units as packets are ready for delivery and client

[36:03] information is digitized for easier access.

[36:06] It also saves time for senior program associates

[36:09] front end staff and front desk staff

[36:12] who remain at their stations as male is brought to them.

[36:15] I love my job and I am excelling at.

[36:19] I earned exceeds expectations in my last three annual performance

[36:22] reviews.

[36:23] And in May of this year I was recognized

[36:25] for advancing the vision and values of the Children

[36:27] and Family Services Division.

[36:29] As an employee with a disability who also continues

[36:32] to benefit from County social services,

[36:35] I asked the board to thoughtfully rule out

[36:37] cuts to the Social Services Department.

[36:38] People depend on us every day for

[36:41] reliable, timely and effective services.

[36:44] Thank you very much for your consideration.

[36:46] >> Thank you very much Reed.

[36:50] >> Commissioner Hobart.

[36:53] >> Could you ask somebody who knows how this technology works

[36:57] to work on getting our monitors up please?

[37:00] >> I think you've done that on behalf of Commissioner Holbrooke

[37:04] we're looking for some assistance with the monitors.

[37:06] Heidi.

[37:07] >> Madam chair the monitors will come up as soon

[37:10] as the presentation starts.

[37:12] Chair Halverson: Okay thank you.

[37:15] Commissioner Holbrooke?

[37:20] >> Generally we're able to view the speaker and stuff here to?

[37:23] Are we not doing, able to do that anymore?

[37:28] Chair Halverson: Heidi?

[37:30] Or Jenny?

[37:32] >> I got them working.

[37:34] Earlier they told me it was only during presentations

[37:36] but there they are, you ask and you receive.

[37:39] >> So now we have to look at ourselves.

[37:43] >> Way to go. (Laughs)

[37:47] >> They've upgraded the monitors to be high Def.

[37:50] It's a little unsettling to see yourself in high Def.

[37:55] Next up I'm going to invite Katrina Devore forward.

[38:05] >> Good morning Madam Chair and Commissioners thank you

[38:07] for the opportunity to speak today.

[38:08] My name is Katrina Devore, I work in public health department

[38:12] and I'm also the chair of the M and a parking

[38:15] unit here in Dakota County.

[38:17] I just want to take a few minutes to connect the budget

[38:21] discussion with the work that happens every day here

[38:24] across the county.

[38:26] As you know, county services are so much more

[38:29] than line items in a budget.

[38:31] They are people answering crisis calls,

[38:34] supporting families, maintaining roads, protecting public health,

[38:39] helping residents navigate difficult moments,

[38:41] and making sure that essential services continue

[38:46] without interruption.

[38:47] The work we do matters deeply to residents

[38:50] and it often happens in the moments

[38:52] when they need help the most.

[38:54] In my role in public health, I work in environmental health.

[38:59] I've been with the county for ten years.

[39:01] And part of the services we provide,

[39:05] we respond directly to resident inquiries

[39:09] when they have concerns about environmental health.

[39:11] We manage our radon program that distributes radon tests so

[39:17] that people can test their homes,

[39:21] unfortunately we do have some higher

[39:23] levels of radon in the county.

[39:25] We make sure that our beaches are

[39:27] safe for swimming and we work closely with partners

[39:31] across the county to ensure that with our high water quality

[39:36] in our communities, and responding

[39:40] every day to various environmental health concerns.

[39:45] So the work we do is certainly essential for our community,

[39:52] to stay safe and healthy.

[39:53] As the budget discussion continues

[39:55] we ask that staffing decisions be not viewed

[39:58] only through numbers on a spreadsheet,

[40:00] but through the impact those decisions

[40:02] have on residents and the county ability

[40:05] to provide reliable timely and effective services.

[40:09] Our staff are very skilled and dedicated

[40:12] public servants who care deeply about this community.

[40:15] When positions are lost, the impact is real.

[40:18] There are longer wait times for the public

[40:20] to reduce services, delayed responses, and fewer

[40:24] opportunities to meet the growing needs of residents.

[40:26] We know that these decisions are very difficult.

[40:30] But we also know that investing in county staff

[40:33] is an investment in people relying on county services

[40:36] every single day.

[40:37] Thank you for your time.

[40:39] Your leadership and your consideration.

[40:41] >> Thank you very much.

[40:44] Next up I'm going to invite Tory Thompson?

[40:53] Welcome.

[40:57] >> Good morning chairperson and commissioners my name is Tory

[41:01] Thompson.

[41:01] I work in the adoption guardianship unit

[41:04] within Children and Family Services.

[41:05] And I love my job.

[41:08] I absolutely love it.

[41:09] But it is the hardest and most stressful job I've ever had.

[41:12] And I have had a lot of stressful jobs

[41:14] that I'm going to share with you in a little bit.

[41:16] To help understand why I can say that.

[41:19] I grew up in white fair at 17 I thought

[41:22] my dad was far too strict so I joined the Army not a great

[41:25] thought I didn't think that one through but nonetheless I

[41:27] joined the Army.

[41:28] And I was tested and they said you can pick any job.

[41:32] Like give me something I can never do on the outside.

[41:35] Again not really thinking through.

[41:36] So I joined as Explosive Ordnance disposal.

[41:39] Bomb squad.

[41:40] Did that decided I don't like being hot

[41:43] and my vision was a little bit going.

[41:45] So I reclassed to become a flight medic.

[41:49] And I deployed several times being

[41:51] shot at while I tried to put a chest tube in a two year old

[41:55] that had been in an IED accident.

[41:57] Trying to save soldiers very very stressful job.

[42:00] Decided that this might not be my jam

[42:03] and I want to be a social worker.

[42:05] Somehow that connected in my brain.

[42:07] So I got out I went to school, and did my internship

[42:11] at Fort Hood and the Child Adolescent Psychiatry unit.

[42:15] Year and a half after I graduated

[42:17] I was dropping off paperwork to a client at the Soldier

[42:20] Readiness Center and there was a mass shooting

[42:22] in the room next door to me.

[42:24] Multiple people were killed and the fun part for me was I

[42:27] interned under Nidal Hasan the shooter

[42:29] so I was interrogated and also interrogated

[42:32] by all the alphabets at a TFCIAFBI

[42:35] and the Texas Rangers that was pretty cool.

[42:38] So again very stressful situation.

[42:41] Proceeded to work with children and families in Texas

[42:43] and then decided I want to go back home.

[42:45] I want to go back to Minnesota and so I

[42:47] started putting on Facebook where should I work?

[42:50] And everybody said Dakota County.

[42:52] And I'm like okay cool there's a child protection opening.

[42:55] Interviewed but while I was doing the interview

[42:57] there was a tornado so I literally

[42:59] doing the interview in my bathtub.

[43:01] Did not get the position.

[43:02] But Rick Morrissey at the time stayed connected with me

[43:05] it was like there's job openings here here

[43:07] and here that goes to show how dedicated he is to that county.

[43:10] He doesn't work here anymore but that

[43:12] was a really important thing.

[43:14] So I went and worked in a different county

[43:16] for child protection another very stressful job.

[43:18] When the adoption guardianship position opened

[43:22] I'm like I'm applying for it and I got it

[43:24] and it has been by far the most rewarding and most challenging.

[43:27] I am their legal guardian.

[43:29] They have no parents.

[43:30] They count on me and the rest of the Dakota County

[43:32] team for everything.

[43:33] And we spend thousands of our own money trying

[43:36] to get these kids birthday presents take them up

[43:38] because we know there isn't funding for that

[43:40] but we do it out of our heart.

[43:42] Because we care about these kids and we love our job.

[43:45] And what does this have to do with the budget?

[43:48] Well bumping.

[43:49] Bumping is going to be a nightmare

[43:51] and what that, what I mean by that

[43:53] is if you cut positions a lot of these positions that are being

[43:56] proposed to cut are senior employees they're

[43:58] going to take jobs from, they're going

[44:00] to bump down into another job and it might not

[44:02] be a job they're passionate about it might not

[44:04] be a job they care about.

[44:05] And that's going to have lifelong impact for the citizens

[44:08] that they serve or the clients, if their heart's not in it

[44:11] if somebody doesn't love the kids the way

[44:13] I do they're not going to be as effective and serve.

[44:16] The harder part is going to be that there's

[44:18] this going to take time to train people into positions that they

[44:21] were not hired for and they don't care about in all honesty.

[44:24] I love my job I would rather work in child and families

[44:27] than in choices and that's not a bashing of choices that's

[44:29] just not where my passion lies so I'm not

[44:31] going to be as effective and that's across the board.

[44:33] It's going to take time and money to train people

[44:36] and during that time people are going to come up

[44:39] there's going to be longer wait times for everybody people

[44:41] are not going to get the quality services

[44:43] that they not only need but they deserve.

[44:45] Currently many high profile and successful programs

[44:48] are proposed for cuts FTC, chat truancy, proposed cuts

[44:53] to the Crisis Response Unit.

[44:55] All of those positions are vital.

[44:58] And if we take those people and we take those positions

[45:00] that's going to be a lifelong impact

[45:02] for the county and the people that not only we serve

[45:05] but that elected everybody here.

[45:07] Bumping will move 109 our program coordinators

[45:11] into 107 positions 106 positions,

[45:14] things that they weren't really qualified for.

[45:16] And at a loss of assets to the county.

[45:19] I mean and the people that are not passionate about children

[45:23] can be put into a child protection

[45:25] and that can cost lives.

[45:27] I am passionate about teens give me all of the hard teens.

[45:30] Every single one of them they are my gem I believe in them.

[45:33] I would not be effective in another role

[45:35] and I know that's the same for a lot of people.

[45:38] Since Levy talks had started being a union rep

[45:42] my phone has been ringing off the hook.

[45:44] I took a phone call the other day at 230

[45:46] in the morning from a client or my member who's

[45:48] in a very abusive relationship.

[45:50] And is low in seniority and is afraid they're

[45:52] going to have to stay in the abusive relationship

[45:54] due to financial costs.

[45:55] I have other people calling and reaching out

[45:57] to me saying I don't know what to do with my child's college

[45:59] now.

[46:00] Because they're not high on seniority.

[46:02] So I want you to understand that there's more at stake

[46:05] than just jobs it's people's livelihoods it's people's,

[46:08] this is going to be lifelong for decades

[46:10] long impact for the people and so I strongly encourage you

[46:13] to consider keeping jobs keeping programs because the county is

[46:17] counting on you guys.

[46:18] Thank you for your consideration.

[46:19] >> Thank you for your comments and thank you for your service

[46:24] Miss Thompson.

[46:27] Julie Finnerty.

[46:30] Tell me if I said your name wrong you may correct me.

[46:35] >> Hello good morning.

[46:38] Good morning Madam Chair and Commissioners.

[46:40] My name is Julie Finnerty.

[46:43] And I work for Dakota County in the Family Child Care Licensing

[46:49] unit.

[46:50] We are looking at proposed cuts to our team of 33%, which would

[46:58] mean a position and a half.

[47:00] We are only staffed with six positions.

[47:03] As it is.

[47:04] I have been with Dakota County going on 20 years.

[47:10] Prior to doing this type of work,

[47:14] I worked in child protection.

[47:16] For 13 years.

[47:18] And as Tori was commenting on, it is some of the toughest work

[47:23] that we have, I have ever done.

[47:26] And yet I see such a tremendous impact

[47:29] it is for families and for children, our most vulnerable.

[47:35] So speaking a little bit more with family child care

[47:39] licensing, again the unit that I'm currently in,

[47:42] what would happen if we had any staffing cuts to our unit

[47:48] would be detrimental to our child care providers.

[47:52] I want to clarify that what we do is we license in home family

[47:58] child cares in Dakota County.

[48:00] We are also overseen by the Minnesota State

[48:05] and so the state put outs the rules and regulations

[48:10] and statutes.

[48:11] We come in and encourage and do a little bit

[48:15] of enforcing in ways, for child care providers

[48:19] to follow those rules and regulations.

[48:23] They are more though than just child care providers.

[48:26] They are also people that live in the community of Dakota

[48:30] County.

[48:31] And so they are small business owners.

[48:34] Small business owners brings money back into the community

[48:39] and so on and so forth.

[48:43] Excuse me.

[48:45] They as business owners do also generate revenue.

[48:49] Within the community.

[48:51] And any again of these proposed cuts

[48:54] would severely limit our, meaning family child care

[48:59] Licensing's, ability to promote, we

[49:02] do lots of child care recruitment.

[49:05] We offer a lot of provider training.

[49:07] And then we offer sessions for interpretation

[49:11] of statute changes.

[49:13] Which are also going to be coming

[49:16] in effect in July of next year.

[49:20] And also if we were cut, it would affect the timely response

[49:25] for our providers.

[49:28] We hold a high regard of responding

[49:30] within 24 to 48 hours for our child care providers

[49:34] in the community.

[49:36] They rely on us.

[49:38] And again with any staffing cuts,

[49:40] the wait time, the response time, will go down.

[49:48] Again I just want to say that if we do not

[49:53] have enough of our staffing, this could significantly

[49:57] impact our local community stability and availability

[50:02] of affordable care.

[50:04] And also to fulfill the duties that

[50:08] are required by the statutes, which again are come

[50:12] from the state of Minnesota.

[50:13] Thank you for your time.

[50:18] Chair Halverson: Thank you for your presentation.

[50:21] Next up Desiree Ren.

[50:31] Welcome.

[50:33] >> Good morning chair.

[50:36] Madam chair and commissioners.

[50:37] Thank you for allowing us this time to speak.

[50:40] My name is Desiree Ren.

[50:42] And I am a Torrance's social worker.

[50:45] I have a clinical independent license,

[50:48] I do not live in Dakota County I live in Scott County.

[50:52] But I took a job here in Dakota County

[50:54] because I was impressed with the level of leadership,

[50:58] the level of professionalism that many of our workers bring.

[51:02] I'm working in the truancy unit is not an easy job

[51:06] but I think many people think it is because they think we just go

[51:10] and address youth that have barriers not going to school.

[51:15] And since COVID and ice, that is truly not the fact.

[51:19] 70% of our clients have mental health barriers.

[51:24] And especially since COVID it increased even more.

[51:28] About 30%, 20 to 30% of our clients

[51:33] don't go to school because food clothing and shelter

[51:37] and other barriers and then you lose that small portion

[51:39] that just don't like school and don't go to school.

[51:42] And that would be your truancy.

[51:45] And truancy unit we provide wraparound services unit using

[51:50] a holistic approach meaning we don't just address truancy,

[51:53] we address all the other barriers

[51:54] that the family is going through.

[51:56] Whether that's mental health undiagnosed,

[52:01] undiagnosed underdiagnosed come out

[52:03] we address those we help the families get connected

[52:06] to mental health providers we go into the schools,

[52:08] we go into the hospitals, we go into doctor's office

[52:12] if the clients need us for that.

[52:14] We also provide parenting where we can to some of the families.

[52:17] A lot of our families have to go into the city

[52:20] because resources are limited out here.

[52:23] And so I'm advocating for the families first of all.

[52:26] And then the employees.

[52:27] Because Dakota County is either the third or fourth largest

[52:31] county here in Dakota County.

[52:32] In the state.

[52:35] And with us being that large, we are continuing to grow.

[52:40] And as we continue to grow the barriers

[52:42] are going to continue to grow and so not

[52:45] assisting these young people, to go to school as a route

[52:49] because it's a law.

[52:51] To help them find their niche in life to help them prepare.

[52:54] If we have clients that are 15 or 16, we go out

[52:58] and we explain to them if school is not an option for them,

[53:01] we try to find them other ways to go to school whether it's

[53:05] taking classes at Dctc whether it's going to Job Corps

[53:08] enough to understand Job Corps is going to be closing

[53:11] within the next year or so.

[53:13] Some in the academy over north we

[53:16] try to provide the older kids with resources

[53:19] so that when they get to that place

[53:20] that they decide we're not going to go to school

[53:23] they have other options.

[53:24] And for the younger kids, we work with the families

[53:27] to really try to help them understand

[53:30] if they're having mental health barriers,

[53:33] so being a social worker in truancy

[53:35] we just don't go where addressing a school issue

[53:38] and then we stop.

[53:39] We provide all the services that's

[53:42] needed so that family doesn't have

[53:43] to go from truancy to children's mental health.

[53:47] Or to assessment.

[53:48] We address those barriers in there

[53:51] to make sure that we can provide all the services

[53:54] that that family needs.

[53:55] I had the option when I first started 23 plus years ago,

[54:00] to go to Hennepin County or to Ramsey

[54:04] because being a clinical licensed social worker,

[54:06] they pay more dollars.

[54:08] But I was committed to Dakota County

[54:10] because I truly have a passion for the work

[54:13] and for the leadership I've seen there to still be there today.

[54:18] And so I think it's imperative with not only the truancy unit

[54:22] but with all the cuts that you guys are getting ready to make,

[54:25] that you find a way to keep employees there to make

[54:29] a difference for the families.

[54:30] Because that's what we promote.

[54:32] That we're there for the families

[54:33] and if we're going to be there for the families,

[54:35] we have to have the leverage to have the employees to that

[54:40] can do the jobs effectively.

[54:44] Our caseload runs around 18, 19 cases throughout the year.

[54:50] In an ideal situation, we should only have 12 to 15.

[54:56] But our team at Dakota County Social Services

[54:59] at the Westminster Service Center

[55:01] are committed that many of those units

[55:03] take on like we do in truancy, those cases to do the work.

[55:07] And as it was stated earlier, if we

[55:10] can provide a little something out of our pocket to do that,

[55:14] we do that because we know that family is in need.

[55:19] We do follow policy and also for the record

[55:23] I wanted to state that I'm here on flextime

[55:26] because I'm that committed.

[55:27] All of us I think are here on personal time just

[55:31] to let you guys know, we love our jobs we are committed.

[55:35] We realize it's a hard job.

[55:38] You guys have because you have to make cuts somewhere.

[55:40] But I'm advocating to say don't make them if possible.

[55:45] With us the employees.

[55:46] Thank you for your time have a great day.

[55:49] Chair Halverson: Thank you so much.

[55:52] Next up, Andrew Kirsch.

[55:55] And if I mispronounced your name please let me know.

[55:58] >> Wonderful job.

[56:02] And those were difficult comments to follow.

[56:06] But honorable Dakota County Board

[56:08] of Commissioners, the issue I put before you today is this.

[56:13] How should Dakota County government employees

[56:16] treat citizens of this county who

[56:18] happen to express disagreement with a decision made by a county

[56:23] entity?

[56:24] As you will soon hear, this is not

[56:27] a purely hypothetical question.

[56:29] I'm sure that each of your individual answers

[56:31] to my question is that your constituents should always

[56:35] be treated with respect.

[56:37] Respect for them as persons, respect for their points

[56:41] of view.

[56:42] You might reasonably expect that in this case,

[56:46] even though there is to my knowledge no written policy

[56:48] nor training to guide employees in ethical interactions

[56:52] with citizens, that they would also have that standard.

[56:58] Sadly in the absence of such a written policy and training

[57:04] I was subjected to what were clearly unethical actions

[57:06] by a senior member of our Dakota County staff.

[57:10] Simply because I happen to write an email appealing a decision

[57:14] made by our library system.

[57:16] Before I go further, let me reassure you

[57:19] that I do not intend to name this senior member

[57:22] in this public statement.

[57:24] Although I have irrefutable evidence

[57:26] of these breaches of ethical conduct

[57:28] obtained by me through the Minnesota Government Data

[57:31] Practices Act.

[57:32] I will simply summarize the nature of the actions.

[57:35] On September 4th 2025, I sent an email to the Library Advisory

[57:41] Committee to express my disagreement with a decision

[57:43] that it had been made by the Dakota County Library Systems

[57:47] Review Committee.

[57:48] Because the county email addresses

[57:51] of the advisory Committee are not published,

[57:53] I was instructed to send them to an administrative person.

[57:57] That employee then forwarded it not only to that committee,

[58:02] but to a non library senior staff member for reasons that I

[58:07] cannot comprehend.

[58:09] On September 8th of 2025 a few days later,

[58:13] the senior staff member who was at the center of this matter

[58:16] sent an email to the first Assistant County Attorney

[58:20] of Dakota County in which were passed along to him the results

[58:24] of a search done on me which found some past public comments

[58:27] I had made to a state agency.

[58:30] In summary, I believe that the senior member

[58:33] performed two unethical actions which

[58:36] failed to respect my privacy.

[58:39] First conducting or receiving the results

[58:41] of an online investigation made on a constituent

[58:45] who simply disagreed with a decision of a government body.

[58:49] In other words, this was an unwarranted fishing expedition

[58:53] into my past.

[58:55] Secondly, passing along a link to those findings

[58:59] of that online investigation to another government employee

[59:02] and worse yet, circulating information

[59:05] which the member acknowledged in that email

[59:08] to the first assistant attorney to be unrelated

[59:12] quote on a different topic.

[59:15] I want to clarify that I am not aware of what

[59:19] that first assistant attorney did with that information

[59:22] because his reply was redacted.

[59:25] So my mention of his name or position

[59:28] should not be taken as an accusation

[59:31] of any impropriety on his part.

[59:33] I only mention it because no citizen

[59:36] wants to be presented in a questionable light

[59:39] to a member of the County Attorney's office.

[59:43] Lest he need to interact with that office later.

[59:47] The county Attorney's office had no evident need

[59:51] to know about my earlier comments

[59:53] to a state agency on an unrelated matter.

[59:57] Let us pause for a moment to consider what should

[1:00:00] have happened in this instance.

[1:00:03] My appeal should have been considered on its merits.

[1:00:06] Not who I was or what I might have said or done in the past.

[1:00:12] Unless it was directly related to the business at hand.

[1:00:16] I should not have to forfeit my privacy simply

[1:00:19] because I want to contribute to my county's decision making.

[1:00:24] Let me ask each of you, to consider

[1:00:29] how you would feel if someone in your family

[1:00:31] was treated in this fashion.

[1:00:34] I'm sure you'd feel their rights to be an active citizen had

[1:00:39] been infringed.

[1:00:40] So do I. Now I've been reassured by my county commissioner

[1:00:46] that a conversation has been had with that senior member, staff

[1:00:51] member.

[1:00:51] Although my two direct requests for an apology from that member

[1:00:55] have been ignored.

[1:00:57] The reason I am addressing the whole board today about it

[1:01:02] is that I want to strongly urge that you establish

[1:01:06] a written ethics policy to address

[1:01:10] the treatment of citizens who choose to express disagreement

[1:01:14] with a county decision.

[1:01:17] And make it part of required training.

[1:01:21] So as to reassure the rest of Dakota County citizens

[1:01:26] that such unethical actions will not be repeated against them.

[1:01:33] And without them needing to uncover --

[1:01:37] Chair Halverson: Reached your five minutes so if you could

[1:01:40] wrap up --

[1:01:41] >> This would be inappropriate and a powerful statement by this

[1:01:45] board that the principles of open government and ethical

[1:01:47] treatment of citizens are hallmarks of this fine county.

[1:01:50] Thank you.

[1:01:51] Chair Halverson: Thank you.

[1:01:56] Couple folks who signed up but didn't sign in.

[1:01:59] We'll see if you're here.

[1:02:01] Dan Martinez do you wish to address the board?

[1:02:03] Not here not seeing.

[1:02:07] Simon Sparrow?

[1:02:14] Welcome to the board.

[1:02:18] >> Thank you chair Halverson commissioners.

[1:02:21] My name is Simon Sparrow I've been providing benefits

[1:02:25] to Dakota County residents primarily medical assistance

[1:02:30] for the past six years.

[1:02:32] What I want to draw your attention towards is

[1:02:35] the potentially devastating consequences that Dakota County

[1:02:39] could face if we continue to not meet processing deadlines --

[1:02:43] timelines.

[1:02:46] By not providing employment and economic assistance

[1:02:49] with the staff necessary to do the work,

[1:02:51] Dakota County is at risk of severe legal and financial

[1:02:54] penalties.

[1:02:55] This is from section 1902 T of the Social Security Act.

[1:03:02] If CMS determines that a state is not in compliance with

[1:03:07] federal eligibility Redetermination requirements,

[1:03:10] CMS may impose civil money penalties of up to $100,000

[1:03:14] for each day a state is not in compliance.

[1:03:20] Additionally, civil rights and health advocacy groups

[1:03:25] can and do file class action lawsuits against counties

[1:03:28] that are not in compliance.

[1:03:30] Counties in this situation face millions

[1:03:34] of dollars in legal fees.

[1:03:36] And damages.

[1:03:39] I could talk about almost any team within ENEA,

[1:03:43] the team I'm going to focus on is the men's team.

[1:03:47] They're an incredible hard working

[1:03:50] but terribly understaffed team.

[1:03:54] They handle medical assistance cases

[1:03:56] in the administrative system and would

[1:03:59] be hardest hit by the addition of H R Blind's new work

[1:04:02] requirements.

[1:04:05] Before H.R. One has even taken effect

[1:04:08] this team is about 18 months behind in processing documents.

[1:04:12] CMS says that counties have to process documents

[1:04:18] the month following the month that they're received.

[1:04:21] So I'll say that again.

[1:04:23] CMS says we need to process documents received

[1:04:25] in July by the end of August.

[1:04:28] We have documents that are unprocessed from January 2025.

[1:04:34] Staff have been raising these concerns for years.

[1:04:39] ENEA management to their credit is

[1:04:42] asking for 70 additional staff.

[1:04:46] Our county manager Heidi Walsh's recommendation

[1:04:49] based on your unwillingness to raise taxes in Dakota County,

[1:04:53] to levels equal to similar counties, is to add a 11 FTEs.

[1:04:59] 11 instead of 70.

[1:05:03] This is your responsible.

[1:05:07] We are going to be penalized for this.

[1:05:09] It is your responsibility to ensure

[1:05:13] the county has the staff necessary to do the work.

[1:05:16] If this becomes a national story about fraud waste and abuse,

[1:05:23] my face is not going to be on those 24 hour news channels.

[1:05:27] Even before H.R. One, we are right

[1:05:31] for financial and legal penalties

[1:05:33] in a time where the federal government is looking

[1:05:36] for ways to punish Minnesotans.

[1:05:38] You have the opportunity to change course.

[1:05:43] We can fund the county with 29.9% Levy, just $248.

[1:05:49] For the median home.

[1:05:52] And begin digging out of this hole.

[1:05:55] This is your opportunity to protect

[1:05:58] the county against legal and financial risks.

[1:06:00] Thank you for taking the time to listen to me.

[1:06:04] Chair Halverson: Thank you for your comments.

[1:06:07] Is there anybody else in the audience

[1:06:10] wishing to address the board at this time?

[1:06:14] Seeing no one come we will close the audience participation

[1:06:18] section and thank you again for being here today.

[1:06:22] Next on our agenda is to approve the agenda,

[1:06:26] are there changes or a motion to approve the agenda?

[1:06:33] >> Madam chair I will move approval without changes.

[1:06:36] >> I'll second Madam chair.

[1:06:39] Chair Halverson: We have a second we can take a voice

[1:06:43] vote on this all those in favor say aye aye any opposed no.

[1:06:46] Hearing none that motion prevails.

[1:06:49] Next up on our agenda, we move to a public hearing to consider

[1:06:54] giving post approval to issuances by City of Lilydale

[1:06:58] of revenue obligations for three 60s communities project.

[1:07:02] And we get to hear from Mr. McKnight.

[1:07:05] Welcome.

[1:07:06] >> Good morning Madam Chair commissioners I'm the deputy

[1:07:11] County manager I'm here to talk about the public hearing

[1:07:14] required for the 360 communities project that we talked about

[1:07:17] a little bit at your previous county board meeting.

[1:07:20] You're also aware of the full three 60s community is

[1:07:25] they're a nonprofit organization serving to kill the county that

[1:07:28] provides safety crisis support and stability to over 26,000

[1:07:32] individuals each year.

[1:07:33] And they are located in Burnsville.

[1:07:36] You're also aware that they're currently

[1:07:39] undertaking a new Louis House project,

[1:07:42] it's a planned new shelter in Eagan

[1:07:44] it's a 50 bed apartment style, excuse me a 50 style apartment

[1:07:50] style domestic violence shelter.

[1:07:52] Construction completion in summer 2027 project

[1:07:58] is estimated at $14 million.

[1:08:01] This project will be partially funded

[1:08:02] through tax exempt financing.

[1:08:04] IRS rules require that 501 C organizations

[1:08:08] like 360 communities using this type of funding

[1:08:12] must be approved by the host, which is the organization where

[1:08:15] the project exists.

[1:08:17] 360 communities has asked Dakota County to serve in that role.

[1:08:21] The city of Lilydale will issue the actual bonds

[1:08:24] for this project in an amount not to exceed $8 million.

[1:08:28] As a county we will not incur any costs serving

[1:08:31] as a host for the project.

[1:08:33] The county is not responsible for paying back

[1:08:35] any of the principal or interest obligations.

[1:08:37] We had minimal staff time and your time

[1:08:41] for holding this public hearing is our investment

[1:08:43] into this project.

[1:08:44] You may recall that the county served

[1:08:46] in a similar role for a project for Saint Francis Healthcare

[1:08:49] in Farmington in 2024.

[1:08:53] We do have here today representatives

[1:08:57] from 360 communities of Jeff Morton's and their president

[1:09:00] and CEO is in attendance you can talk about the project

[1:09:03] and answer any questions that you

[1:09:04] might have if you do have them.

[1:09:07] But you're recommended action today is for the board

[1:09:10] to hold the public hearing and consider any comments received.

[1:09:13] Once the public hearing is complete,

[1:09:15] staff recommends that the County Board approve the resolution

[1:09:17] providing post approval on the issuance of tax

[1:09:20] exempt obligations by the city of Lilydale Minnesota.

[1:09:24] This resolution also includes the approval

[1:09:26] of a cooperation agreement with the city of Lilydale.

[1:09:28] And with that Madam Chair, I'll take any questions

[1:09:33] you might have or let you ask Mr. Mortensen questions if you

[1:09:35] have them with him as well.

[1:09:37] Chair Halverson: Thank you very much members of the board

[1:09:40] are there questions for Mr. McKnight or Mr. Mortensen?

[1:09:44] Hearing none and for the members of the public

[1:09:48] we have reviewed this proposal already in GDP meeting.

[1:09:53] So if things seem like they move fast,

[1:09:56] it's because we've usually heard and discussed

[1:09:59] these matters in the past.

[1:10:01] So with that I will open the public hearing

[1:10:03] if there are comments on the project.

[1:10:09] Are there any comments?

[1:10:11] Anyone wishing to be heard?

[1:10:14] Anyone wishing to be heard?

[1:10:18] Seeing no one come forward, I will close the public hearing.

[1:10:22] And I will turn it over to the board for action.

[1:10:27] >> Madam chair I will move the resolution.

[1:10:31] >> I'll second.

[1:10:34] Chair Halverson: We have a second any comments

[1:10:38] to the motion?

[1:10:40] Hearing none we will take the roll.

[1:10:46] [Members voting yes]

[1:10:56] Chair Halverson: Excellent.

[1:10:57] That motion prevails thank you Mr. McKnight thank

[1:10:59] you Mr. Mortensen.

[1:11:03] Next up we have a public hearing.

[1:11:05] To receive comments on and adopt amended park ordinance 107.

[1:11:11] We get to hear from our parks director Nikki Geisler welcome.

[1:11:16] >> Thank you Madam Chair and good morning commissioners

[1:11:19] I'm Nikki Geisler a parks director for Dakota County

[1:11:21] and I'm here to talk about the proposed amendments to Park

[1:11:25] Ordinance 107 which governs the rules and regulations and allows

[1:11:30] for enforcement of those rules and regulations within our park

[1:11:33] system.

[1:11:34] An overview quickly of the process,

[1:11:37] creating the amendments that was shared with all of you

[1:11:40] at the Fiscal Development Committee,

[1:11:43] the intent of the ordinance update

[1:11:46] was to correct and clarify language,

[1:11:48] to add detail to certain activities,

[1:11:51] make recommended changes to accommodate real life

[1:11:54] application that we were able to experience since it was last

[1:11:58] adopted a few years ago.

[1:11:59] Specifically around electric powered devices and motorized

[1:12:02] recreational vehicles.

[1:12:04] And review happened at the Physical Development Committee

[1:12:07] where you directed us to provide public notice

[1:12:10] and schedule this hearing.

[1:12:13] The proposed amendments were reviewed and supported

[1:12:16] by the County Attorney's Office and Dakota County Sheriff's

[1:12:19] Office staff did a thorough review of the amendments

[1:12:22] as well.

[1:12:23] Public hearing notice was posted in the Hasting Journal

[1:12:25] and on the county website.

[1:12:27] No public comments have been received to date.

[1:12:31] So with that, I'll post the public hearing,

[1:12:37] we are asking for an adoption to the amendments of Park Ordinance

[1:12:41] 107.

[1:12:42] Madam chair I now stand for questions.

[1:12:45] Chair Halverson: Thank you very much Nikki are there

[1:12:48] any questions for Nikki before you open the public hearing?

[1:12:51] Seeing none I will open our public hearing.

[1:12:53] And ask for your comments.

[1:12:56] Does anyone wish to be heard on this item?

[1:12:59] Are there any public comments to this item?

[1:13:04] Is there anyone wishing to be heard?

[1:13:08] Hearing no one, I will close public hearing.

[1:13:13] Thank you and we can turn it over to the board for action.

[1:13:17] What are the wishes of the board?

[1:13:19] We have a motion is there a second?

[1:13:21] And we've got a second.

[1:13:23] Thank you members.

[1:13:24] And with that we'll take a roll on that please.

[1:13:30] [Members voting yes]

[1:13:38] Chair Halverson: Thank you very much and that motion prevails.

[1:13:40] Thanks Nikki.

[1:13:43] All right next up on our agenda.

[1:13:46] We have the consent agenda to consider.

[1:13:49] Are there any changes or is there a motion

[1:13:51] to approve the consent agenda?

[1:13:52] >> Move approval madam chair.

[1:13:56] Chair Halverson: Is there a second?

[1:13:58] And a second.

[1:14:01] We will roll call this.

[1:14:03] Jenny.

[1:14:06] [Members voting]

[1:14:06] >> Yes with the exception of 7.1.

[1:14:13] [Members voting yes]

[1:14:19] >> Yes with exception of 7.1.

[1:14:24] Chair Halverson: And that motion prevails.

[1:14:25] Onto our regular agenda.

[1:14:27] We have a presentation for information

[1:14:30] only on the recognition of Minnesota Counties Award.

[1:14:34] Evidence based practice unit.

[1:14:40] Chris Cornell Jim Scoville.

[1:14:42] Who are we hearing from >> National Award.

[1:14:48] Chair Halverson: It's always hard to get people to come

[1:14:51] forward and take credit.

[1:14:52] Come on. (Laughs) welcome.

[1:14:56] >> All right good morning Madam Chair commissioners I'm Suwanna

[1:15:00] Kirkland.

[1:15:01] I'm the director of Dakota County Community Corrections.

[1:15:04] And I am here with our supervisor and two of our three

[1:15:09] evidence based practice unit staff, last year we won an award

[1:15:16] and it was for our evidence based practice unit.

[1:15:19] And I don't want to do all the talking because they

[1:15:23] do the work, they really have set the stage in Minnesota

[1:15:27] for evidence based practice unit.

[1:15:30] And Dakota County and so we continue to lead in this space.

[1:15:34] I'm very proud of the work that they do.

[1:15:36] And they continue to serve not just Dakota County

[1:15:40] but statewide.

[1:15:40] So I'm going to turn it over to Supervisor Chris

[1:15:43] Caddell and our staff.

[1:15:46] >> Welcome.

[1:15:49] >> Thank you Madam Chair and commissioners.

[1:15:52] My name is Chris Cornell as she mentioned supervisor

[1:15:54] and our corrections department and thank you

[1:15:56] for the time today for recognizing this with us Award.

[1:16:00] It really is a privilege three evidence based coordinators

[1:16:05] we have Shannon Lynn Nicole Barnes and Elizabeth Miller who

[1:16:08] is here but had to leave to go do exactly what we're

[1:16:11] talking about.

[1:16:13] Our evidence based practice unit has become a statewide leader

[1:16:18] in expanding our cognitive behavioral program which

[1:16:21] is by embedding evidence based practice

[1:16:23] into our daily operations.

[1:16:24] Their work has become measurable to produce measurable results

[1:16:28] while creating a sustainable model that other colleagues

[1:16:31] continue to learn from.

[1:16:33] Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective

[1:16:36] correctional programs and interventions

[1:16:38] that we can do for reducing recidivism.

[1:16:41] Research shows us that when delivered correctly

[1:16:44] and with fidelity, cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce

[1:16:50] reoffending by 20 to 30%.

[1:16:52] By helping the clients change their (Indistinct) thinking

[1:16:57] strengthen their problem solving skills

[1:16:58] and make better decisions.

[1:16:59] The county has intentionally built this program

[1:17:01] around these evidence based practices principles.

[1:17:04] Since 2019 referrals to our programing

[1:17:07] internally in our county have increased from 110

[1:17:11] to about 280 clients annually.

[1:17:14] During that same period our graduation rates

[1:17:16] have increased by more than 30%.

[1:17:18] Completion rates remain strong at 82%

[1:17:22] for juveniles 75% for adult men and 73% for adult women.

[1:17:26] A key reason for this success is department's investment

[1:17:30] in its staff.

[1:17:31] 79 of our staff members are trained

[1:17:34] in delivering this curriculum to our clients.

[1:17:39] Every facilitator receives regular observation coaching

[1:17:43] annual post trainings that communities practice reinforcing

[1:17:45] the skills and that's due to the credit of these three staff.

[1:17:49] In addition supervisors integrate CBT

[1:17:54] principles ongoing staff coaching.

[1:17:58] So the commitment to accountability measurable

[1:18:02] results has strengthened client outcomes

[1:18:04] and strengthened public safety and it's

[1:18:06] created a model of evidence based corrections that

[1:18:08] is recognized across the state.

[1:18:09] So thank you again for your time and for this public recognition.

[1:18:14] Chair Halverson: Thank you.

[1:18:18] [Applause]

[1:18:22] >> And I don't know if we mentioned these wonderful staff

[1:18:26] that do this work for Dakota County and across the state,

[1:18:30] but we have Nicole Borris, Shannon Olin and Elizabeth

[1:18:34] Miller who has to leave out but these other ladies that do this

[1:18:38] work, they do it proudly.

[1:18:40] They are highly respected and regarded

[1:18:42] in the state of Minnesota.

[1:18:43] And we are super, I mean we're just ecstatic about the work

[1:18:47] that you do so thank you.

[1:18:48] >> Thank you very much we really appreciate it I hope everyone

[1:18:52] can stick around we're going to do photos after this

[1:18:54] if that's okay.

[1:18:55] Thank you.

[1:18:56] And Jenny do we do the presentation now or are we

[1:19:00] doing it at photos?

[1:19:01] >> It's your choice.

[1:19:04] Chair Halverson: We'll do the photos at the end then.

[1:19:07] Very good I want to hear from all the presenters thank you.

[1:19:10] All right.

[1:19:11] Next up we've got the national recognition of the Maker Awards

[1:19:16] the National Association of County and City Health

[1:19:19] Officials.

[1:19:20] That's not Mako that's Naco?

[1:19:23] Nach?

[1:19:24] Come on up.

[1:19:25] Tell us what it is.

[1:19:27] This is -- Nacho.

[1:19:31] Don't make me hungry.

[1:19:33] Welcome Mr. Gillen and we want to hear all about this award

[1:19:38] that my colleagues got to accept out in.

[1:19:42] Kentucky.

[1:19:43] Okay sorry.

[1:19:45] >> Too many awards.

[1:19:47] Good morning Chair Halverson commissioners

[1:19:50] my name is Matt Gershon I'm the commissioner for (Indistinct)

[1:19:56] animal communication planning agent model

[1:20:00] practice before this practice our public health communications

[1:20:03] work was largely reactive.

[1:20:05] When teams had an idea or an event coming up

[1:20:08] they submitted a request and we did it.

[1:20:10] Sometimes we got a lot of advance notice and sometimes we

[1:20:14] didn't.

[1:20:14] So in 2023 we said let's try to look into the future.

[1:20:19] We asked five of our public health programs

[1:20:21] to guess all their communication projects for the year.

[1:20:24] Fliers for clinics, social media posts for recognition months,

[1:20:28] updates to web pages.

[1:20:30] And it worked.

[1:20:32] Now instead of reacting project by project,

[1:20:34] each project now maps out to the best of their abilities

[1:20:37] the entire year in advance.

[1:20:38] We're now able to anticipate busy periods and plan

[1:20:42] times to strategically instead of constantly playing catch up.

[1:20:45] And even when we have pop up projects or board requests,

[1:20:49] we can respond better.

[1:20:51] All of this at zero additional cost just existing staff

[1:20:55] time and simple tools like Word and Excel.

[1:20:58] Proactive planning internally means

[1:21:00] clear more timely public health messaging

[1:21:02] reaching every resident in Dakota County.

[1:21:04] It's low cost and easy for any health department

[1:21:07] to replicate which is why Naco did a model practice.

[1:21:10] This is a win for our department our communications team,

[1:21:13] and for every resident who benefits

[1:21:15] from clear public health communication.

[1:21:16] Thank you.

[1:21:18] >> Thank you very much.

[1:21:20] And please stick around for the presentation

[1:21:22] of awards after and photos.

[1:21:24] >> Can we give them a round of applause?

[1:21:29] [Applause] Madam chair?

[1:21:34] May I just make a comment?

[1:21:37] You save lives and I think it was worthy of our recognition

[1:21:42] so thank you so much.

[1:21:45] Chair Halverson: And finally we get

[1:21:47] to hear about the Naco Awards.

[1:21:49] Recognition of the 2026 National Association

[1:21:53] of Counties Achievement Award best in category

[1:21:57] for health, a combination of a partnership between our Dakota

[1:22:01] County Libraries of Public Health.

[1:22:03] Welcome.

[1:22:08] >> Good morning Madam Chair Halverson.

[1:22:10] And commissioners.

[1:22:12] I am Jayna Postulka.

[1:22:13] Director of Public Health and I'm here with Jen Reichardt

[1:22:17] Simpson our public -- our library director.

[1:22:21] Oh you have to -- our innovative and passionate teams of public

[1:22:28] health and libraries sit behind us.

[1:22:30] We are so excited to be here to celebrate Dakota County's

[1:22:34] recognition with a 2026 National Association of Counties

[1:22:38] Achievement Award.

[1:22:40] And best in category for health.

[1:22:42] This award recognizes public health

[1:22:45] in the library's work to transform library locations

[1:22:48] into public health hubs.

[1:22:51] This achievement reflects the outstanding work and commitment

[1:22:55] of everyone who contributed to this success.

[1:22:58] Our partnership began with a simple but powerful goal

[1:23:03] to improve community health by meeting people where they are.

[1:23:07] We know that mental health is one

[1:23:08] of the top health concerns identified by Dakota County

[1:23:11] residents.

[1:23:12] In the face of the opioid epidemic,

[1:23:16] access to fentanyl test strips can save lives.

[1:23:20] Timely nutrition support breastfeeding resources

[1:23:23] and connections to other services

[1:23:25] can make a meaningful difference to new parents and families.

[1:23:30] Addressing these needs requires strong public health programs.

[1:23:34] It also requires delivering services

[1:23:37] in places where people gather.

[1:23:40] Places that are trusted, welcoming, and accessible.

[1:23:49] >> And that's the library.

[1:23:51] The library is among the most valued trusted services

[1:23:55] they come to borrow books they also

[1:23:57] come to learn get resources and be in community with one

[1:23:59] another.

[1:24:00] By combining public health expertise and programs

[1:24:04] with the library's welcoming staff, Stacy's, and connections

[1:24:09] to residents, we've expanded the county's reach reproduced

[1:24:13] barriers.

[1:24:14] We leverage resources.

[1:24:15] And we've made our shared work more effective.

[1:24:18] That work included last year ten library locations distributing

[1:24:22] over 1200 naloxone kits.

[1:24:26] 300 fentanyl test strip kits and over 2000 opioid

[1:24:31] educational materials.

[1:24:32] Library staff also distributed over a thousand education

[1:24:36] materials on mental health for all ages

[1:24:40] and we were the host site for 8050 year

[1:24:43] BT support sessions at the Wescott Heritage Library's

[1:24:47] increasing our at those sessions and in fact those sessions are

[1:24:51] happening this morning as we speak.

[1:24:53] This work continues in other ways too.

[1:24:56] In August public health is having a school supply drive

[1:24:59] and five library locations will be

[1:25:01] pickup sites along with the northern and Western service

[1:25:04] centers.

[1:25:05] Public Health and libraries collaboration

[1:25:07] transform library locations into community health hubs.

[1:25:11] To improve health outcomes for Dakota County residents.

[1:25:15] Thank thank you for recognizing the award

[1:25:17] but truly thank you for recognizing

[1:25:19] the amazing public health and library staff.

[1:25:25] [Applause]

[1:25:32] Chair Halverson: What a great story.

[1:25:34] Well we will ask all of our award recipients

[1:25:36] to come forward, we will present you with your award.

[1:25:40] Officially.

[1:25:41] And take a photograph.

[1:25:43] So please everybody stick around for that.

[1:25:46] And then we will resume our meeting.

[1:26:03] [Background conversation]

[1:27:37] [Applause]

[1:27:50] [Background conversation]

[1:29:19] [Applause]

[1:29:33] [Background conversation]

[1:31:14] [Applause]

[1:31:31] [Background conversation]

[1:31:54] Chair Halverson: Well.

[1:31:55] What a wonderful thing.

[1:31:58] To celebrate today.

[1:31:59] Does anybody have any comments come

[1:32:01] on we went through three regular items we didn't do any board

[1:32:04] comments so I want to be sure if anyone has any comments, that we

[1:32:08] have a chance to hear from the board.

[1:32:11] Commissioner Harmon Roland.

[1:32:14] Commissioner Hamann-Roland: I just

[1:32:16] wanted to recognize how the partnership

[1:32:18] between the public health and the library

[1:32:20] made the full page 11 in the Naco news.

[1:32:25] So that's national recognition beyond the award

[1:32:30] and will continue and I believe because of its effective

[1:32:35] and truly efficient use of our staff,

[1:32:38] it's going to get replicated in the country.

[1:32:41] So thanks for the leadership.

[1:32:47] [Applause]

[1:32:50] Chair Halverson: Commissioner Slavik.

[1:32:52] Commissioner Slavik: Thank you very much

[1:32:54] chair I think as of note the get hundreds of hundreds

[1:33:01] of amazing projects across the country

[1:33:02] and they've only recognized a handful of a special achievement

[1:33:06] awards the last time, these are the best of the best usually

[1:33:11] somewhere between 10 to 16 so it's

[1:33:13] a pretty rare and extraordinary honor

[1:33:16] to go and be able to get to this point here

[1:33:18] we always have those Mako for kind of a best in class

[1:33:22] but this is one of those steps above that.

[1:33:24] Doesn't usually happen and the fact that with the last eight

[1:33:27] years we've had to, it happened twice

[1:33:29] in Dakota County is quite a testament to all

[1:33:31] of the good work that happens in the innovative work each

[1:33:34] and every day.

[1:33:35] So just wanted to say this is above

[1:33:37] and beyond what we do when we acknowledge our awards

[1:33:39] this is one of the best of the best.

[1:33:42] Chair Halverson: Thank you very much Commissioner Slavik

[1:33:44] and you got to be there to accept it?

[1:33:46] With Commissioner Atkins?

[1:33:47] I bet that was a proud moment.

[1:33:50] Very good.

[1:33:51] Thank you so much.

[1:33:53] Any other comments?

[1:33:55] I do just want to -- sorry I didn't miss you?

[1:33:59] I do just want to say that since I've joined the Dakota County

[1:34:03] Board, it's been almost six years now.

[1:34:08] That being a county that gets recognition from our peers,

[1:34:14] from other counties, from our peers nationally,

[1:34:18] and that is seen as a county that leads.

[1:34:22] And doesn't follow.

[1:34:23] That innovates and doesn't rest on its laurels.

[1:34:28] That is who Dakota County is.

[1:34:31] And it's been a value that the board

[1:34:35] has stated that we want to be a county that

[1:34:40] goes above and beyond, for recognized as a stellar county.

[1:34:46] And these kinds of awards I think

[1:34:50] affirm that the vision and the work that is being done

[1:34:55] is seen by others and is really making

[1:34:57] a difference in the lives of the people of our community.

[1:35:01] On a personal note, I'm going to say usually

[1:35:05] the days of award presentations are nothing but fun and nothing

[1:35:10] but joy for me.

[1:35:11] Because I am so proud of the work

[1:35:14] that our staff are doing in our communities and the difference

[1:35:18] that you're making.

[1:35:19] I will say, with the challenges that we

[1:35:23] are facing and talks of cuts, and it

[1:35:28] feels like there's a little pall over it this time.

[1:35:32] Because this is a Dakota county I don't want to lose.

[1:35:37] And so I just want to recognize the work that you're

[1:35:40] doing, the innovation that you're doing,

[1:35:43] and that I'm proud that other see it

[1:35:47] but I want you to know as a board member

[1:35:49] and I think I can speak on the board, we see it too.

[1:35:52] So we really appreciate you.

[1:35:54] Thank you very much.

[1:35:56] And with that, we get to hear from our interagency reports.

[1:36:01] The Association of Minnesota counties.

[1:36:04] >> Thank you Madam Chair let me just pull this up and see what I

[1:36:08] wrote.

[1:36:09] For this.

[1:36:12] Here we go.

[1:36:14] Of course I'm getting text messages right now to.

[1:36:18] Oh I just wanted to remind everyone that the AMC full

[1:36:23] conference in Bemidji is at the Stafford Center between

[1:36:28] September 16th and the 18th and the AMC board meeting will be

[1:36:33] held on September the 17th.

[1:36:37] So it's a short and sweet one tonight.

[1:36:40] Chair Halverson: Thank you Commissioner Harmon

[1:36:43] Roland the Metropolitan Emergency Services Board.

[1:36:49] >> (Indistinct) I did want to point out though that it was

[1:36:52] July 27th it was the first meeting of armor which were

[1:36:56] Commissioner Holbrooke she doesn't like acronyms

[1:36:58] so it's Sheriff Ally radio matrix emergency response

[1:37:03] system.

[1:37:04] Kind of a big deal it allows first responders to communicate

[1:37:08] across the state.

[1:37:11] Obviously a big deal.

[1:37:13] The first meeting of the funding group the legislative task force

[1:37:17] that was appointed got together was mostly organizational

[1:37:20] on the 27th and it was, I wanted to point out that

[1:37:26] the representative from here in Dakota County Representative

[1:37:28] Rossman who's one of the chairs there is a Republican co-chair

[1:37:33] they wanted to make sure it was bipartisan effort and their goal

[1:37:37] is to have legislation ready to be proposed by the time

[1:37:40] the session starts in January.

[1:37:42] Funding of the armor system is obviously a huge deal.

[1:37:46] Almost as big as the system itself as we

[1:37:49] got to figure out how we pay for it that's

[1:37:51] what their task is going to be.

[1:37:52] Bill did I miss anything from the meeting?

[1:37:55] >> If I may we approved budget and --

[1:38:00] county's going up 6.57 but it's zero to the counties

[1:38:05] because of reserves from the radio and Washington County 911.

[1:38:10] On another note, are very assistant joint powers from 27

[1:38:16] through 31 was approved so that'll

[1:38:19] be going out to all our agencies for approval

[1:38:22] by the end of the year.

[1:38:25] And that is so.

[1:38:27] Chair Halverson: Excellent thank you so much.

[1:38:31] Minnesota Inter Association mica.

[1:38:33] We meet next Wednesday.

[1:38:37] And Metropolitan Mosquito Control District Commission.

[1:38:41] Workman.

[1:38:42] >> Our next full board meeting is August 26th.

[1:38:52] Chair Halverson: Thank you.

[1:38:53] Next up National Association of Counties

[1:38:55] I think that got covered well.

[1:38:57] >> We had telecom and Technology Committee that a lot was

[1:39:02] probably the heaviest meeting we've ever had.

[1:39:04] AI cybersecurity which obviously we've

[1:39:07] had issues with our water treatment facilities

[1:39:08] here in Minnesota of late.

[1:39:11] And of course data centers.

[1:39:12] So it was wall to wall packed with a lot of --

[1:39:16] and I shared that, sent out most of those materials to everybody

[1:39:19] on the board.

[1:39:20] Chair Halverson: Thank you very much Commissioner Slavic.

[1:39:26] Commissioner Slavik: Finance Commissioner Committee a lot

[1:39:30] for next (Indistinct) Election Day

[1:39:34] we have general election in November so election security

[1:39:36] protecting of our poll workers.

[1:39:38] Some of the funding that goes into the systems

[1:39:42] to make sure that our elections are free and safe.

[1:39:45] So there was a lot of energy of the discussion based on that.

[1:39:49] The other aspect that this board has had a discussion recently

[1:39:53] related to some of the new federal guidelines

[1:39:55] related to funds that come from the federal government

[1:39:58] to the states and then to the counties.

[1:40:01] And kind of some niche discretionary opinions

[1:40:05] on how and what should get funded

[1:40:07] and even though contracts have been approved and pulling them

[1:40:10] out and just really right now there's

[1:40:13] a rule making process going at the federal level that

[1:40:15] can really give a lot of power to the executive branch

[1:40:18] to go in and pull out monies because of whatever opinion they

[1:40:22] choose to have.

[1:40:23] And there's a lot of concern that that will actually

[1:40:26] depending on which administration is at the time,

[1:40:28] could go in and punish our reward States and counties

[1:40:33] and so.

[1:40:33] We had a great discussion on that

[1:40:35] and actually have some national jet working with Congress

[1:40:39] to try and go and kind of tighten up

[1:40:41] those rules to make sure that no matter who

[1:40:43] is in the white House, that you would be able to have

[1:40:46] the same standards put on that part there

[1:40:49] and not have a discretion.

[1:40:50] And then the last thing just to note

[1:40:53] that Minnesota's kind of taking the lead on one of the platform

[1:40:56] amendments that myself and Commissioner Wickman

[1:40:59] brought me out of Scout County have been working on.

[1:41:03] Carried and championed did get unanimous approval again related

[1:41:07] to our volunteer compensation for a volunteer drivers.

[1:41:10] As you know that's one of the ways

[1:41:12] that we save tax dollars is by using volunteers to drive,

[1:41:16] veterans and disabled individuals to appointments

[1:41:19] and that rate for mileage has not changed since 1996.

[1:41:24] It's $0.14.

[1:41:25] So even this year, that mileage rate has changed between January

[1:41:31] and July has gone up again for the business side of things.

[1:41:35] So if we want to go and continue to be good stewards

[1:41:38] to tax dollars this is something we in Minnesota have championed

[1:41:41] to say that that should be at least be able to have the tax

[1:41:43] rate off comparable when we are going and really providing

[1:41:46] the services for our communities and our Chair

[1:41:51] Halverson: Thank you.

[1:41:52] Great report.

[1:41:52] Transportation Advisory Board?

[1:41:54] Commissioner Hallberg.

[1:41:55] >> Thank you Madam Chair the July meeting was canceled there

[1:41:59] are things happening behind the scenes we're working on storing

[1:42:05] all the applications for the regional solicitation

[1:42:07] and it's my understanding that the letters submitted by Scott

[1:42:12] and Dakota County a couple months ago,

[1:42:17] there's movement on those issues as well.

[1:42:20] So stay Chair Halverson: Thank you.

[1:42:25] Vermillion River watershed joint powers board commissioner

[1:42:28] Slavik?

[1:42:28] Commissioner Slavik: Thank you Madam Chair

[1:42:31] we did meet two things of note.

[1:42:33] One of them we did receive the results of the 2025 Monitoring

[1:42:38] Network report I think as somebody

[1:42:41] who grew up swimming in the Vermillion River

[1:42:43] and someone who lives on the Vermillion River

[1:42:45] now I can tell you that though there are still

[1:42:48] a lot of work to do, things are sure a lot better than they were

[1:42:50] 25 years ago.

[1:42:52] So that is one positive of that that we are making

[1:42:54] steps in the right direction.

[1:42:56] And second thing is that the discussion going on

[1:42:59] will be working towards our preliminary levee in September.

[1:43:03] Chair Halverson: Workforce Development Board Commissioner

[1:43:06] Herman Rowlands.

[1:43:07] Commissioner Hamann-Roland: Thank you Madam Chair

[1:43:09] it was Saint Paul will be hosting a coffee

[1:43:11] break for members of the River Heights Chamber of Commerce.

[1:43:14] And the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday

[1:43:18] September the 15th and that'll be from 8 to 9 a.m.

[1:43:22] And it's going to be at the Northern Services Center.

[1:43:25] In West Saint Paul.

[1:43:28] And it'll be a great chance for you to network

[1:43:30] and get to know employers.

[1:43:32] In the area.

[1:43:34] Chair Halverson: Thank you.

[1:43:36] Are there any other comments, updates from commissioners?

[1:43:41] Hearing none we can move on to the county manager's report for.

[1:43:47] Heidi.

[1:43:48] >> Thank you Madam Chair just two items today I wanted

[1:43:52] to thank our fiscal development team for their organization

[1:43:58] of what I thought was quite a successful tour of capital

[1:44:02] investment projects for that the board took last week.

[1:44:06] Really a good tour and I thought a lot of good detail

[1:44:08] that we were able to see.

[1:44:10] And think about.

[1:44:11] Second, I want to remind the public

[1:44:14] that they are as always invited to our board

[1:44:16] meeting next week which will be a special meeting at the County

[1:44:20] fair.

[1:44:21] So we always enjoy being able to see people

[1:44:24] when we're out at the fair and just a reminder to come on out.

[1:44:28] Chair Halverson: Thank you.

[1:44:31] Anything else?

[1:44:32] Hyman Commissioner Hamann-Roland:

[1:44:37] We did have a county manager -- we did have a great tour and one

[1:44:41] of the things that I was charged with is to learn about how we

[1:44:45] can get a different bus.

[1:44:47] And I was at the Mvrta meeting and learned,

[1:44:51] I asked them about this, and learned that our joint Powers

[1:44:56] agreement includes two times where we can have a bus

[1:45:00] and that is at no cost to.

[1:45:04] So it is not something that we would be given as a gift,

[1:45:08] it is part of our agreement.

[1:45:10] So thank you.

[1:45:11] And it's not a school bus.

[1:45:13] What I want to tell you, I ask for is it's the accessible bus,

[1:45:17] it's a brand new, it's wonderful and I

[1:45:20] thought it would be a great way to show off what we can provide

[1:45:24] to our residents in our area.

[1:45:27] Thank you.

[1:45:28] Chair Halverson: Thank you very much.

[1:45:31] Commissioner -- manager Walsh I also perhaps wanted to make note

[1:45:38] that this week is our first budget open House of the week.

[1:45:43] (Laughs) there's a lot going on.

[1:45:46] But I do want to be sure that the public knows

[1:45:49] that it is at the CDA building in Eagan from 5 to 630

[1:45:54] and all the experts will be there.

[1:45:57] And us. (Laughs) we're not the experts.

[1:46:01] We are learning a lot.

[1:46:02] And really want to thank the staff that

[1:46:05] have been working so hard to put this

[1:46:07] together so that the public has an opportunity to engage

[1:46:09] in our budget process.

[1:46:11] And with that is there anything else (Indistinct)

[1:46:13] hearing nothing I will call for a motion for adjournment.

[1:46:17] >> Move to adjourn.

[1:46:21] Chair Halverson: It's been moved and seconded enthusiastically.

[1:46:25] All in favor say aye any opposed say no.

[1:46:28] And with that we are adjourned.

[1:46:30] Thank you.

Board of Commissioners on 2026-08-04 9:00 AM

Agenda

Transcript