[Captioner present]
>> Good morning I'm going to call to order the county board
meeting.
For Dakota County on August 4th 2026.
I'll invite you to stand if you're able to join us
in the Pledge of Allegiance.
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States
of America and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
>> Thank you very much.
I'm gonna make a note, we have new technology in this room.
I'm still feeling, trying to get comfortable with it.
The way our microphones sound.
Whether we're pushing buttons or not.
So I'll ask everybody's patience as we
continue to get to know our technology
upgrades in this room.
We made the upgrades so that we could have better technology
and access for the public.
And the public is here today and we
have a number of people who have signed up
to speak for our audience time.
We have a tradition that, in our rural state that people
can sign up to speak or come forward
to speak to address the board on an item
that they wish to speak on that is not on the agenda
or that is on the consent agenda.
You have five minutes as a member of the public
to address the board.
And it is not a back and forth so I just want to make sure
that everybody understands their procedure,
this is your time and your time to present.
So with that I have a list if I'm missing anybody, at the end
I'll invite anybody who hasn't been heard to come forward.
The first person on my list is Reed Scheller.
Would you like to come forward?
You have five minutes.
Welcome.
>> Thank you and good morning.
Chair and board members.
My name is read Schiller -- services at Western Service
Center a little bit about me is I'm an individual on the autism
spectrum.
I served on the Governor's Council and Developmental
Disabilities from 2017 through 2023.
And the Minnesota Employment Learning Community from 2014
through 2018.
I have lived independently since 2017 and a non CD8 apartment.
And I received support through the DD waiver
with individualized home support and some transportation funding
for Lyft.
I really appreciate this excellent program.
For my job I was hired by Dakota County on June 6th 2022
and worked five days per week.
Six hours per day.
My duties include making packets, scanning
confidential client information, delivering mail, and checking
zip codes and miscellaneous tasks such as refilling
copy machines.
My duties save time for social workers and children's
mental health, child protection, child care licensing,
and other units as packets are ready for delivery and client
information is digitized for easier access.
It also saves time for senior program associates
front end staff and front desk staff
who remain at their stations as male is brought to them.
I love my job and I am excelling at.
I earned exceeds expectations in my last three annual performance
reviews.
And in May of this year I was recognized
for advancing the vision and values of the Children
and Family Services Division.
As an employee with a disability who also continues
to benefit from County social services,
I asked the board to thoughtfully rule out
cuts to the Social Services Department.
People depend on us every day for
reliable, timely and effective services.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
>> Thank you very much Reed.
>> Commissioner Hobart.
>> Could you ask somebody who knows how this technology works
to work on getting our monitors up please?
>> I think you've done that on behalf of Commissioner Holbrooke
we're looking for some assistance with the monitors.
Heidi.
>> Madam chair the monitors will come up as soon
as the presentation starts.
Chair Halverson: Okay thank you.
Commissioner Holbrooke?
>> Generally we're able to view the speaker and stuff here to?
Are we not doing, able to do that anymore?
Chair Halverson: Heidi?
Or Jenny?
>> I got them working.
Earlier they told me it was only during presentations
but there they are, you ask and you receive.
>> So now we have to look at ourselves.
>> Way to go. (Laughs)
>> They've upgraded the monitors to be high Def.
It's a little unsettling to see yourself in high Def.
Next up I'm going to invite Katrina Devore forward.
>> Good morning Madam Chair and Commissioners thank you
for the opportunity to speak today.
My name is Katrina Devore, I work in public health department
and I'm also the chair of the M and a parking
unit here in Dakota County.
I just want to take a few minutes to connect the budget
discussion with the work that happens every day here
across the county.
As you know, county services are so much more
than line items in a budget.
They are people answering crisis calls,
supporting families, maintaining roads, protecting public health,
helping residents navigate difficult moments,
and making sure that essential services continue
without interruption.
The work we do matters deeply to residents
and it often happens in the moments
when they need help the most.
In my role in public health, I work in environmental health.
I've been with the county for ten years.
And part of the services we provide,
we respond directly to resident inquiries
when they have concerns about environmental health.
We manage our radon program that distributes radon tests so
that people can test their homes,
unfortunately we do have some higher
levels of radon in the county.
We make sure that our beaches are
safe for swimming and we work closely with partners
across the county to ensure that with our high water quality
in our communities, and responding
every day to various environmental health concerns.
So the work we do is certainly essential for our community,
to stay safe and healthy.
As the budget discussion continues
we ask that staffing decisions be not viewed
only through numbers on a spreadsheet,
but through the impact those decisions
have on residents and the county ability
to provide reliable timely and effective services.
Our staff are very skilled and dedicated
public servants who care deeply about this community.
When positions are lost, the impact is real.
There are longer wait times for the public
to reduce services, delayed responses, and fewer
opportunities to meet the growing needs of residents.
We know that these decisions are very difficult.
But we also know that investing in county staff
is an investment in people relying on county services
every single day.
Thank you for your time.
Your leadership and your consideration.
>> Thank you very much.
Next up I'm going to invite Tory Thompson?
Welcome.
>> Good morning chairperson and commissioners my name is Tory
Thompson.
I work in the adoption guardianship unit
within Children and Family Services.
And I love my job.
I absolutely love it.
But it is the hardest and most stressful job I've ever had.
And I have had a lot of stressful jobs
that I'm going to share with you in a little bit.
To help understand why I can say that.
I grew up in white fair at 17 I thought
my dad was far too strict so I joined the Army not a great
thought I didn't think that one through but nonetheless I
joined the Army.
And I was tested and they said you can pick any job.
Like give me something I can never do on the outside.
Again not really thinking through.
So I joined as Explosive Ordnance disposal.
Bomb squad.
Did that decided I don't like being hot
and my vision was a little bit going.
So I reclassed to become a flight medic.
And I deployed several times being
shot at while I tried to put a chest tube in a two year old
that had been in an IED accident.
Trying to save soldiers very very stressful job.
Decided that this might not be my jam
and I want to be a social worker.
Somehow that connected in my brain.
So I got out I went to school, and did my internship
at Fort Hood and the Child Adolescent Psychiatry unit.
Year and a half after I graduated
I was dropping off paperwork to a client at the Soldier
Readiness Center and there was a mass shooting
in the room next door to me.
Multiple people were killed and the fun part for me was I
interned under Nidal Hasan the shooter
so I was interrogated and also interrogated
by all the alphabets at a TFCIAFBI
and the Texas Rangers that was pretty cool.
So again very stressful situation.
Proceeded to work with children and families in Texas
and then decided I want to go back home.
I want to go back to Minnesota and so I
started putting on Facebook where should I work?
And everybody said Dakota County.
And I'm like okay cool there's a child protection opening.
Interviewed but while I was doing the interview
there was a tornado so I literally
doing the interview in my bathtub.
Did not get the position.
But Rick Morrissey at the time stayed connected with me
it was like there's job openings here here
and here that goes to show how dedicated he is to that county.
He doesn't work here anymore but that
was a really important thing.
So I went and worked in a different county
for child protection another very stressful job.
When the adoption guardianship position opened
I'm like I'm applying for it and I got it
and it has been by far the most rewarding and most challenging.
I am their legal guardian.
They have no parents.
They count on me and the rest of the Dakota County
team for everything.
And we spend thousands of our own money trying
to get these kids birthday presents take them up
because we know there isn't funding for that
but we do it out of our heart.
Because we care about these kids and we love our job.
And what does this have to do with the budget?
Well bumping.
Bumping is going to be a nightmare
and what that, what I mean by that
is if you cut positions a lot of these positions that are being
proposed to cut are senior employees they're
going to take jobs from, they're going
to bump down into another job and it might not
be a job they're passionate about it might not
be a job they care about.
And that's going to have lifelong impact for the citizens
that they serve or the clients, if their heart's not in it
if somebody doesn't love the kids the way
I do they're not going to be as effective and serve.
The harder part is going to be that there's
this going to take time to train people into positions that they
were not hired for and they don't care about in all honesty.
I love my job I would rather work in child and families
than in choices and that's not a bashing of choices that's
just not where my passion lies so I'm not
going to be as effective and that's across the board.
It's going to take time and money to train people
and during that time people are going to come up
there's going to be longer wait times for everybody people
are not going to get the quality services
that they not only need but they deserve.
Currently many high profile and successful programs
are proposed for cuts FTC, chat truancy, proposed cuts
to the Crisis Response Unit.
All of those positions are vital.
And if we take those people and we take those positions
that's going to be a lifelong impact
for the county and the people that not only we serve
but that elected everybody here.
Bumping will move 109 our program coordinators
into 107 positions 106 positions,
things that they weren't really qualified for.
And at a loss of assets to the county.
I mean and the people that are not passionate about children
can be put into a child protection
and that can cost lives.
I am passionate about teens give me all of the hard teens.
Every single one of them they are my gem I believe in them.
I would not be effective in another role
and I know that's the same for a lot of people.
Since Levy talks had started being a union rep
my phone has been ringing off the hook.
I took a phone call the other day at 230
in the morning from a client or my member who's
in a very abusive relationship.
And is low in seniority and is afraid they're
going to have to stay in the abusive relationship
due to financial costs.
I have other people calling and reaching out
to me saying I don't know what to do with my child's college
now.
Because they're not high on seniority.
So I want you to understand that there's more at stake
than just jobs it's people's livelihoods it's people's,
this is going to be lifelong for decades
long impact for the people and so I strongly encourage you
to consider keeping jobs keeping programs because the county is
counting on you guys.
Thank you for your consideration.
>> Thank you for your comments and thank you for your service
Miss Thompson.
Julie Finnerty.
Tell me if I said your name wrong you may correct me.
>> Hello good morning.
Good morning Madam Chair and Commissioners.
My name is Julie Finnerty.
And I work for Dakota County in the Family Child Care Licensing
unit.
We are looking at proposed cuts to our team of 33%, which would
mean a position and a half.
We are only staffed with six positions.
As it is.
I have been with Dakota County going on 20 years.
Prior to doing this type of work,
I worked in child protection.
For 13 years.
And as Tori was commenting on, it is some of the toughest work
that we have, I have ever done.
And yet I see such a tremendous impact
it is for families and for children, our most vulnerable.
So speaking a little bit more with family child care
licensing, again the unit that I'm currently in,
what would happen if we had any staffing cuts to our unit
would be detrimental to our child care providers.
I want to clarify that what we do is we license in home family
child cares in Dakota County.
We are also overseen by the Minnesota State
and so the state put outs the rules and regulations
and statutes.
We come in and encourage and do a little bit
of enforcing in ways, for child care providers
to follow those rules and regulations.
They are more though than just child care providers.
They are also people that live in the community of Dakota
County.
And so they are small business owners.
Small business owners brings money back into the community
and so on and so forth.
Excuse me.
They as business owners do also generate revenue.
Within the community.
And any again of these proposed cuts
would severely limit our, meaning family child care
Licensing's, ability to promote, we
do lots of child care recruitment.
We offer a lot of provider training.
And then we offer sessions for interpretation
of statute changes.
Which are also going to be coming
in effect in July of next year.
And also if we were cut, it would affect the timely response
for our providers.
We hold a high regard of responding
within 24 to 48 hours for our child care providers
in the community.
They rely on us.
And again with any staffing cuts,
the wait time, the response time, will go down.
Again I just want to say that if we do not
have enough of our staffing, this could significantly
impact our local community stability and availability
of affordable care.
And also to fulfill the duties that
are required by the statutes, which again are come
from the state of Minnesota.
Thank you for your time.
Chair Halverson: Thank you for your presentation.
Next up Desiree Ren.
Welcome.
>> Good morning chair.
Madam chair and commissioners.
Thank you for allowing us this time to speak.
My name is Desiree Ren.
And I am a Torrance's social worker.
I have a clinical independent license,
I do not live in Dakota County I live in Scott County.
But I took a job here in Dakota County
because I was impressed with the level of leadership,
the level of professionalism that many of our workers bring.
I'm working in the truancy unit is not an easy job
but I think many people think it is because they think we just go
and address youth that have barriers not going to school.
And since COVID and ice, that is truly not the fact.
70% of our clients have mental health barriers.
And especially since COVID it increased even more.
About 30%, 20 to 30% of our clients
don't go to school because food clothing and shelter
and other barriers and then you lose that small portion
that just don't like school and don't go to school.
And that would be your truancy.
And truancy unit we provide wraparound services unit using
a holistic approach meaning we don't just address truancy,
we address all the other barriers
that the family is going through.
Whether that's mental health undiagnosed,
undiagnosed underdiagnosed come out
we address those we help the families get connected
to mental health providers we go into the schools,
we go into the hospitals, we go into doctor's office
if the clients need us for that.
We also provide parenting where we can to some of the families.
A lot of our families have to go into the city
because resources are limited out here.
And so I'm advocating for the families first of all.
And then the employees.
Because Dakota County is either the third or fourth largest
county here in Dakota County.
In the state.
And with us being that large, we are continuing to grow.
And as we continue to grow the barriers
are going to continue to grow and so not
assisting these young people, to go to school as a route
because it's a law.
To help them find their niche in life to help them prepare.
If we have clients that are 15 or 16, we go out
and we explain to them if school is not an option for them,
we try to find them other ways to go to school whether it's
taking classes at Dctc whether it's going to Job Corps
enough to understand Job Corps is going to be closing
within the next year or so.
Some in the academy over north we
try to provide the older kids with resources
so that when they get to that place
that they decide we're not going to go to school
they have other options.
And for the younger kids, we work with the families
to really try to help them understand
if they're having mental health barriers,
so being a social worker in truancy
we just don't go where addressing a school issue
and then we stop.
We provide all the services that's
needed so that family doesn't have
to go from truancy to children's mental health.
Or to assessment.
We address those barriers in there
to make sure that we can provide all the services
that that family needs.
I had the option when I first started 23 plus years ago,
to go to Hennepin County or to Ramsey
because being a clinical licensed social worker,
they pay more dollars.
But I was committed to Dakota County
because I truly have a passion for the work
and for the leadership I've seen there to still be there today.
And so I think it's imperative with not only the truancy unit
but with all the cuts that you guys are getting ready to make,
that you find a way to keep employees there to make
a difference for the families.
Because that's what we promote.
That we're there for the families
and if we're going to be there for the families,
we have to have the leverage to have the employees to that
can do the jobs effectively.
Our caseload runs around 18, 19 cases throughout the year.
In an ideal situation, we should only have 12 to 15.
But our team at Dakota County Social Services
at the Westminster Service Center
are committed that many of those units
take on like we do in truancy, those cases to do the work.
And as it was stated earlier, if we
can provide a little something out of our pocket to do that,
we do that because we know that family is in need.
We do follow policy and also for the record
I wanted to state that I'm here on flextime
because I'm that committed.
All of us I think are here on personal time just
to let you guys know, we love our jobs we are committed.
We realize it's a hard job.
You guys have because you have to make cuts somewhere.
But I'm advocating to say don't make them if possible.
With us the employees.
Thank you for your time have a great day.
Chair Halverson: Thank you so much.
Next up, Andrew Kirsch.
And if I mispronounced your name please let me know.
>> Wonderful job.
And those were difficult comments to follow.
But honorable Dakota County Board
of Commissioners, the issue I put before you today is this.
How should Dakota County government employees
treat citizens of this county who
happen to express disagreement with a decision made by a county
entity?
As you will soon hear, this is not
a purely hypothetical question.
I'm sure that each of your individual answers
to my question is that your constituents should always
be treated with respect.
Respect for them as persons, respect for their points
of view.
You might reasonably expect that in this case,
even though there is to my knowledge no written policy
nor training to guide employees in ethical interactions
with citizens, that they would also have that standard.
Sadly in the absence of such a written policy and training
I was subjected to what were clearly unethical actions
by a senior member of our Dakota County staff.
Simply because I happen to write an email appealing a decision
made by our library system.
Before I go further, let me reassure you
that I do not intend to name this senior member
in this public statement.
Although I have irrefutable evidence
of these breaches of ethical conduct
obtained by me through the Minnesota Government Data
Practices Act.
I will simply summarize the nature of the actions.
On September 4th 2025, I sent an email to the Library Advisory
Committee to express my disagreement with a decision
that it had been made by the Dakota County Library Systems
Review Committee.
Because the county email addresses
of the advisory Committee are not published,
I was instructed to send them to an administrative person.
That employee then forwarded it not only to that committee,
but to a non library senior staff member for reasons that I
cannot comprehend.
On September 8th of 2025 a few days later,
the senior staff member who was at the center of this matter
sent an email to the first Assistant County Attorney
of Dakota County in which were passed along to him the results
of a search done on me which found some past public comments
I had made to a state agency.
In summary, I believe that the senior member
performed two unethical actions which
failed to respect my privacy.
First conducting or receiving the results
of an online investigation made on a constituent
who simply disagreed with a decision of a government body.
In other words, this was an unwarranted fishing expedition
into my past.
Secondly, passing along a link to those findings
of that online investigation to another government employee
and worse yet, circulating information
which the member acknowledged in that email
to the first assistant attorney to be unrelated
quote on a different topic.
I want to clarify that I am not aware of what
that first assistant attorney did with that information
because his reply was redacted.
So my mention of his name or position
should not be taken as an accusation
of any impropriety on his part.
I only mention it because no citizen
wants to be presented in a questionable light
to a member of the County Attorney's office.
Lest he need to interact with that office later.
The county Attorney's office had no evident need
to know about my earlier comments
to a state agency on an unrelated matter.
Let us pause for a moment to consider what should
have happened in this instance.
My appeal should have been considered on its merits.
Not who I was or what I might have said or done in the past.
Unless it was directly related to the business at hand.
I should not have to forfeit my privacy simply
because I want to contribute to my county's decision making.
Let me ask each of you, to consider
how you would feel if someone in your family
was treated in this fashion.
I'm sure you'd feel their rights to be an active citizen had
been infringed.
So do I. Now I've been reassured by my county commissioner
that a conversation has been had with that senior member, staff
member.
Although my two direct requests for an apology from that member
have been ignored.
The reason I am addressing the whole board today about it
is that I want to strongly urge that you establish
a written ethics policy to address
the treatment of citizens who choose to express disagreement
with a county decision.
And make it part of required training.
So as to reassure the rest of Dakota County citizens
that such unethical actions will not be repeated against them.
And without them needing to uncover --
Chair Halverson: Reached your five minutes so if you could
wrap up --
>> This would be inappropriate and a powerful statement by this
board that the principles of open government and ethical
treatment of citizens are hallmarks of this fine county.
Thank you.
Chair Halverson: Thank you.
Couple folks who signed up but didn't sign in.
We'll see if you're here.
Dan Martinez do you wish to address the board?
Not here not seeing.
Simon Sparrow?
Welcome to the board.
>> Thank you chair Halverson commissioners.
My name is Simon Sparrow I've been providing benefits
to Dakota County residents primarily medical assistance
for the past six years.
What I want to draw your attention towards is
the potentially devastating consequences that Dakota County
could face if we continue to not meet processing deadlines --
timelines.
By not providing employment and economic assistance
with the staff necessary to do the work,
Dakota County is at risk of severe legal and financial
penalties.
This is from section 1902 T of the Social Security Act.
If CMS determines that a state is not in compliance with
federal eligibility Redetermination requirements,
CMS may impose civil money penalties of up to $100,000
for each day a state is not in compliance.
Additionally, civil rights and health advocacy groups
can and do file class action lawsuits against counties
that are not in compliance.
Counties in this situation face millions
of dollars in legal fees.
And damages.
I could talk about almost any team within ENEA,
the team I'm going to focus on is the men's team.
They're an incredible hard working
but terribly understaffed team.
They handle medical assistance cases
in the administrative system and would
be hardest hit by the addition of H R Blind's new work
requirements.
Before H.R. One has even taken effect
this team is about 18 months behind in processing documents.
CMS says that counties have to process documents
the month following the month that they're received.
So I'll say that again.
CMS says we need to process documents received
in July by the end of August.
We have documents that are unprocessed from January 2025.
Staff have been raising these concerns for years.
ENEA management to their credit is
asking for 70 additional staff.
Our county manager Heidi Walsh's recommendation
based on your unwillingness to raise taxes in Dakota County,
to levels equal to similar counties, is to add a 11 FTEs.
11 instead of 70.
This is your responsible.
We are going to be penalized for this.
It is your responsibility to ensure
the county has the staff necessary to do the work.
If this becomes a national story about fraud waste and abuse,
my face is not going to be on those 24 hour news channels.
Even before H.R. One, we are right
for financial and legal penalties
in a time where the federal government is looking
for ways to punish Minnesotans.
You have the opportunity to change course.
We can fund the county with 29.9% Levy, just $248.
For the median home.
And begin digging out of this hole.
This is your opportunity to protect
the county against legal and financial risks.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to me.
Chair Halverson: Thank you for your comments.
Is there anybody else in the audience
wishing to address the board at this time?
Seeing no one come we will close the audience participation
section and thank you again for being here today.
Next on our agenda is to approve the agenda,
are there changes or a motion to approve the agenda?
>> Madam chair I will move approval without changes.
>> I'll second Madam chair.
Chair Halverson: We have a second we can take a voice
vote on this all those in favor say aye aye any opposed no.
Hearing none that motion prevails.
Next up on our agenda, we move to a public hearing to consider
giving post approval to issuances by City of Lilydale
of revenue obligations for three 60s communities project.
And we get to hear from Mr. McKnight.
Welcome.
>> Good morning Madam Chair commissioners I'm the deputy
County manager I'm here to talk about the public hearing
required for the 360 communities project that we talked about
a little bit at your previous county board meeting.
You're also aware of the full three 60s community is
they're a nonprofit organization serving to kill the county that
provides safety crisis support and stability to over 26,000
individuals each year.
And they are located in Burnsville.
You're also aware that they're currently
undertaking a new Louis House project,
it's a planned new shelter in Eagan
it's a 50 bed apartment style, excuse me a 50 style apartment
style domestic violence shelter.
Construction completion in summer 2027 project
is estimated at $14 million.
This project will be partially funded
through tax exempt financing.
IRS rules require that 501 C organizations
like 360 communities using this type of funding
must be approved by the host, which is the organization where
the project exists.
360 communities has asked Dakota County to serve in that role.
The city of Lilydale will issue the actual bonds
for this project in an amount not to exceed $8 million.
As a county we will not incur any costs serving
as a host for the project.
The county is not responsible for paying back
any of the principal or interest obligations.
We had minimal staff time and your time
for holding this public hearing is our investment
into this project.
You may recall that the county served
in a similar role for a project for Saint Francis Healthcare
in Farmington in 2024.
We do have here today representatives
from 360 communities of Jeff Morton's and their president
and CEO is in attendance you can talk about the project
and answer any questions that you
might have if you do have them.
But you're recommended action today is for the board
to hold the public hearing and consider any comments received.
Once the public hearing is complete,
staff recommends that the County Board approve the resolution
providing post approval on the issuance of tax
exempt obligations by the city of Lilydale Minnesota.
This resolution also includes the approval
of a cooperation agreement with the city of Lilydale.
And with that Madam Chair, I'll take any questions
you might have or let you ask Mr. Mortensen questions if you
have them with him as well.
Chair Halverson: Thank you very much members of the board
are there questions for Mr. McKnight or Mr. Mortensen?
Hearing none and for the members of the public
we have reviewed this proposal already in GDP meeting.
So if things seem like they move fast,
it's because we've usually heard and discussed
these matters in the past.
So with that I will open the public hearing
if there are comments on the project.
Are there any comments?
Anyone wishing to be heard?
Seeing no one come forward, I will close the public hearing.
And I will turn it over to the board for action.
>> Madam chair I will move the resolution.
>> I'll second.
Chair Halverson: We have a second any comments
to the motion?
Hearing none we will take the roll.
[Members voting yes]
Chair Halverson: Excellent.
That motion prevails thank you Mr. McKnight thank
you Mr. Mortensen.
Next up we have a public hearing.
To receive comments on and adopt amended park ordinance 107.
We get to hear from our parks director Nikki Geisler welcome.
>> Thank you Madam Chair and good morning commissioners
I'm Nikki Geisler a parks director for Dakota County
and I'm here to talk about the proposed amendments to Park
Ordinance 107 which governs the rules and regulations and allows
for enforcement of those rules and regulations within our park
system.
An overview quickly of the process,
creating the amendments that was shared with all of you
at the Fiscal Development Committee,
the intent of the ordinance update
was to correct and clarify language,
to add detail to certain activities,
make recommended changes to accommodate real life
application that we were able to experience since it was last
adopted a few years ago.
Specifically around electric powered devices and motorized
recreational vehicles.
And review happened at the Physical Development Committee
where you directed us to provide public notice
and schedule this hearing.
The proposed amendments were reviewed and supported
by the County Attorney's Office and Dakota County Sheriff's
Office staff did a thorough review of the amendments
as well.
Public hearing notice was posted in the Hasting Journal
and on the county website.
No public comments have been received to date.
So with that, I'll post the public hearing,
we are asking for an adoption to the amendments of Park Ordinance
107.
Madam chair I now stand for questions.
Chair Halverson: Thank you very much Nikki are there
any questions for Nikki before you open the public hearing?
Seeing none I will open our public hearing.
And ask for your comments.
Does anyone wish to be heard on this item?
Are there any public comments to this item?
Is there anyone wishing to be heard?
Hearing no one, I will close public hearing.
Thank you and we can turn it over to the board for action.
What are the wishes of the board?
We have a motion is there a second?
And we've got a second.
Thank you members.
And with that we'll take a roll on that please.
[Members voting yes]
Chair Halverson: Thank you very much and that motion prevails.
Thanks Nikki.
All right next up on our agenda.
We have the consent agenda to consider.
Are there any changes or is there a motion
to approve the consent agenda?
>> Move approval madam chair.
Chair Halverson: Is there a second?
And a second.
We will roll call this.
Jenny.
[Members voting]
>> Yes with the exception of 7.1.
[Members voting yes]
>> Yes with exception of 7.1.
Chair Halverson: And that motion prevails.
Onto our regular agenda.
We have a presentation for information
only on the recognition of Minnesota Counties Award.
Evidence based practice unit.
Chris Cornell Jim Scoville.
Who are we hearing from >> National Award.
Chair Halverson: It's always hard to get people to come
forward and take credit.
Come on. (Laughs) welcome.
>> All right good morning Madam Chair commissioners I'm Suwanna
Kirkland.
I'm the director of Dakota County Community Corrections.
And I am here with our supervisor and two of our three
evidence based practice unit staff, last year we won an award
and it was for our evidence based practice unit.
And I don't want to do all the talking because they
do the work, they really have set the stage in Minnesota
for evidence based practice unit.
And Dakota County and so we continue to lead in this space.
I'm very proud of the work that they do.
And they continue to serve not just Dakota County
but statewide.
So I'm going to turn it over to Supervisor Chris
Caddell and our staff.
>> Welcome.
>> Thank you Madam Chair and commissioners.
My name is Chris Cornell as she mentioned supervisor
and our corrections department and thank you
for the time today for recognizing this with us Award.
It really is a privilege three evidence based coordinators
we have Shannon Lynn Nicole Barnes and Elizabeth Miller who
is here but had to leave to go do exactly what we're
talking about.
Our evidence based practice unit has become a statewide leader
in expanding our cognitive behavioral program which
is by embedding evidence based practice
into our daily operations.
Their work has become measurable to produce measurable results
while creating a sustainable model that other colleagues
continue to learn from.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective
correctional programs and interventions
that we can do for reducing recidivism.
Research shows us that when delivered correctly
and with fidelity, cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce
reoffending by 20 to 30%.
By helping the clients change their (Indistinct) thinking
strengthen their problem solving skills
and make better decisions.
The county has intentionally built this program
around these evidence based practices principles.
Since 2019 referrals to our programing
internally in our county have increased from 110
to about 280 clients annually.
During that same period our graduation rates
have increased by more than 30%.
Completion rates remain strong at 82%
for juveniles 75% for adult men and 73% for adult women.
A key reason for this success is department's investment
in its staff.
79 of our staff members are trained
in delivering this curriculum to our clients.
Every facilitator receives regular observation coaching
annual post trainings that communities practice reinforcing
the skills and that's due to the credit of these three staff.
In addition supervisors integrate CBT
principles ongoing staff coaching.
So the commitment to accountability measurable
results has strengthened client outcomes
and strengthened public safety and it's
created a model of evidence based corrections that
is recognized across the state.
So thank you again for your time and for this public recognition.
Chair Halverson: Thank you.
[Applause]
>> And I don't know if we mentioned these wonderful staff
that do this work for Dakota County and across the state,
but we have Nicole Borris, Shannon Olin and Elizabeth
Miller who has to leave out but these other ladies that do this
work, they do it proudly.
They are highly respected and regarded
in the state of Minnesota.
And we are super, I mean we're just ecstatic about the work
that you do so thank you.
>> Thank you very much we really appreciate it I hope everyone
can stick around we're going to do photos after this
if that's okay.
Thank you.
And Jenny do we do the presentation now or are we
doing it at photos?
>> It's your choice.
Chair Halverson: We'll do the photos at the end then.
Very good I want to hear from all the presenters thank you.
All right.
Next up we've got the national recognition of the Maker Awards
the National Association of County and City Health
Officials.
That's not Mako that's Naco?
Nach?
Come on up.
Tell us what it is.
This is -- Nacho.
Don't make me hungry.
Welcome Mr. Gillen and we want to hear all about this award
that my colleagues got to accept out in.
Kentucky.
Okay sorry.
>> Too many awards.
Good morning Chair Halverson commissioners
my name is Matt Gershon I'm the commissioner for (Indistinct)
animal communication planning agent model
practice before this practice our public health communications
work was largely reactive.
When teams had an idea or an event coming up
they submitted a request and we did it.
Sometimes we got a lot of advance notice and sometimes we
didn't.
So in 2023 we said let's try to look into the future.
We asked five of our public health programs
to guess all their communication projects for the year.
Fliers for clinics, social media posts for recognition months,
updates to web pages.
And it worked.
Now instead of reacting project by project,
each project now maps out to the best of their abilities
the entire year in advance.
We're now able to anticipate busy periods and plan
times to strategically instead of constantly playing catch up.
And even when we have pop up projects or board requests,
we can respond better.
All of this at zero additional cost just existing staff
time and simple tools like Word and Excel.
Proactive planning internally means
clear more timely public health messaging
reaching every resident in Dakota County.
It's low cost and easy for any health department
to replicate which is why Naco did a model practice.
This is a win for our department our communications team,
and for every resident who benefits
from clear public health communication.
Thank you.
>> Thank you very much.
And please stick around for the presentation
of awards after and photos.
>> Can we give them a round of applause?
[Applause] Madam chair?
May I just make a comment?
You save lives and I think it was worthy of our recognition
so thank you so much.
Chair Halverson: And finally we get
to hear about the Naco Awards.
Recognition of the 2026 National Association
of Counties Achievement Award best in category
for health, a combination of a partnership between our Dakota
County Libraries of Public Health.
Welcome.
>> Good morning Madam Chair Halverson.
And commissioners.
I am Jayna Postulka.
Director of Public Health and I'm here with Jen Reichardt
Simpson our public -- our library director.
Oh you have to -- our innovative and passionate teams of public
health and libraries sit behind us.
We are so excited to be here to celebrate Dakota County's
recognition with a 2026 National Association of Counties
Achievement Award.
And best in category for health.
This award recognizes public health
in the library's work to transform library locations
into public health hubs.
This achievement reflects the outstanding work and commitment
of everyone who contributed to this success.
Our partnership began with a simple but powerful goal
to improve community health by meeting people where they are.
We know that mental health is one
of the top health concerns identified by Dakota County
residents.
In the face of the opioid epidemic,
access to fentanyl test strips can save lives.
Timely nutrition support breastfeeding resources
and connections to other services
can make a meaningful difference to new parents and families.
Addressing these needs requires strong public health programs.
It also requires delivering services
in places where people gather.
Places that are trusted, welcoming, and accessible.
>> And that's the library.
The library is among the most valued trusted services
they come to borrow books they also
come to learn get resources and be in community with one
another.
By combining public health expertise and programs
with the library's welcoming staff, Stacy's, and connections
to residents, we've expanded the county's reach reproduced
barriers.
We leverage resources.
And we've made our shared work more effective.
That work included last year ten library locations distributing
over 1200 naloxone kits.
300 fentanyl test strip kits and over 2000 opioid
educational materials.
Library staff also distributed over a thousand education
materials on mental health for all ages
and we were the host site for 8050 year
BT support sessions at the Wescott Heritage Library's
increasing our at those sessions and in fact those sessions are
happening this morning as we speak.
This work continues in other ways too.
In August public health is having a school supply drive
and five library locations will be
pickup sites along with the northern and Western service
centers.
Public Health and libraries collaboration
transform library locations into community health hubs.
To improve health outcomes for Dakota County residents.
Thank thank you for recognizing the award
but truly thank you for recognizing
the amazing public health and library staff.
[Applause]
Chair Halverson: What a great story.
Well we will ask all of our award recipients
to come forward, we will present you with your award.
Officially.
And take a photograph.
So please everybody stick around for that.
And then we will resume our meeting.
[Background conversation]
[Applause]
[Background conversation]
[Applause]
[Background conversation]
[Applause]
[Background conversation]
Chair Halverson: Well.
What a wonderful thing.
To celebrate today.
Does anybody have any comments come
on we went through three regular items we didn't do any board
comments so I want to be sure if anyone has any comments, that we
have a chance to hear from the board.
Commissioner Harmon Roland.
Commissioner Hamann-Roland: I just
wanted to recognize how the partnership
between the public health and the library
made the full page 11 in the Naco news.
So that's national recognition beyond the award
and will continue and I believe because of its effective
and truly efficient use of our staff,
it's going to get replicated in the country.
So thanks for the leadership.
[Applause]
Chair Halverson: Commissioner Slavik.
Commissioner Slavik: Thank you very much
chair I think as of note the get hundreds of hundreds
of amazing projects across the country
and they've only recognized a handful of a special achievement
awards the last time, these are the best of the best usually
somewhere between 10 to 16 so it's
a pretty rare and extraordinary honor
to go and be able to get to this point here
we always have those Mako for kind of a best in class
but this is one of those steps above that.
Doesn't usually happen and the fact that with the last eight
years we've had to, it happened twice
in Dakota County is quite a testament to all
of the good work that happens in the innovative work each
and every day.
So just wanted to say this is above
and beyond what we do when we acknowledge our awards
this is one of the best of the best.
Chair Halverson: Thank you very much Commissioner Slavik
and you got to be there to accept it?
With Commissioner Atkins?
I bet that was a proud moment.
Very good.
Thank you so much.
Any other comments?
I do just want to -- sorry I didn't miss you?
I do just want to say that since I've joined the Dakota County
Board, it's been almost six years now.
That being a county that gets recognition from our peers,
from other counties, from our peers nationally,
and that is seen as a county that leads.
And doesn't follow.
That innovates and doesn't rest on its laurels.
That is who Dakota County is.
And it's been a value that the board
has stated that we want to be a county that
goes above and beyond, for recognized as a stellar county.
And these kinds of awards I think
affirm that the vision and the work that is being done
is seen by others and is really making
a difference in the lives of the people of our community.
On a personal note, I'm going to say usually
the days of award presentations are nothing but fun and nothing
but joy for me.
Because I am so proud of the work
that our staff are doing in our communities and the difference
that you're making.
I will say, with the challenges that we
are facing and talks of cuts, and it
feels like there's a little pall over it this time.
Because this is a Dakota county I don't want to lose.
And so I just want to recognize the work that you're
doing, the innovation that you're doing,
and that I'm proud that other see it
but I want you to know as a board member
and I think I can speak on the board, we see it too.
So we really appreciate you.
Thank you very much.
And with that, we get to hear from our interagency reports.
The Association of Minnesota counties.
>> Thank you Madam Chair let me just pull this up and see what I
wrote.
For this.
Here we go.
Of course I'm getting text messages right now to.
Oh I just wanted to remind everyone that the AMC full
conference in Bemidji is at the Stafford Center between
September 16th and the 18th and the AMC board meeting will be
held on September the 17th.
So it's a short and sweet one tonight.
Chair Halverson: Thank you Commissioner Harmon
Roland the Metropolitan Emergency Services Board.
>> (Indistinct) I did want to point out though that it was
July 27th it was the first meeting of armor which were
Commissioner Holbrooke she doesn't like acronyms
so it's Sheriff Ally radio matrix emergency response
system.
Kind of a big deal it allows first responders to communicate
across the state.
Obviously a big deal.
The first meeting of the funding group the legislative task force
that was appointed got together was mostly organizational
on the 27th and it was, I wanted to point out that
the representative from here in Dakota County Representative
Rossman who's one of the chairs there is a Republican co-chair
they wanted to make sure it was bipartisan effort and their goal
is to have legislation ready to be proposed by the time
the session starts in January.
Funding of the armor system is obviously a huge deal.
Almost as big as the system itself as we
got to figure out how we pay for it that's
what their task is going to be.
Bill did I miss anything from the meeting?
>> If I may we approved budget and --
county's going up 6.57 but it's zero to the counties
because of reserves from the radio and Washington County 911.
On another note, are very assistant joint powers from 27
through 31 was approved so that'll
be going out to all our agencies for approval
by the end of the year.
And that is so.
Chair Halverson: Excellent thank you so much.
Minnesota Inter Association mica.
We meet next Wednesday.
And Metropolitan Mosquito Control District Commission.
Workman.
>> Our next full board meeting is August 26th.
Chair Halverson: Thank you.
Next up National Association of Counties
I think that got covered well.
>> We had telecom and Technology Committee that a lot was
probably the heaviest meeting we've ever had.
AI cybersecurity which obviously we've
had issues with our water treatment facilities
here in Minnesota of late.
And of course data centers.
So it was wall to wall packed with a lot of --
and I shared that, sent out most of those materials to everybody
on the board.
Chair Halverson: Thank you very much Commissioner Slavic.
Commissioner Slavik: Finance Commissioner Committee a lot
for next (Indistinct) Election Day
we have general election in November so election security
protecting of our poll workers.
Some of the funding that goes into the systems
to make sure that our elections are free and safe.
So there was a lot of energy of the discussion based on that.
The other aspect that this board has had a discussion recently
related to some of the new federal guidelines
related to funds that come from the federal government
to the states and then to the counties.
And kind of some niche discretionary opinions
on how and what should get funded
and even though contracts have been approved and pulling them
out and just really right now there's
a rule making process going at the federal level that
can really give a lot of power to the executive branch
to go in and pull out monies because of whatever opinion they
choose to have.
And there's a lot of concern that that will actually
depending on which administration is at the time,
could go in and punish our reward States and counties
and so.
We had a great discussion on that
and actually have some national jet working with Congress
to try and go and kind of tighten up
those rules to make sure that no matter who
is in the white House, that you would be able to have
the same standards put on that part there
and not have a discretion.
And then the last thing just to note
that Minnesota's kind of taking the lead on one of the platform
amendments that myself and Commissioner Wickman
brought me out of Scout County have been working on.
Carried and championed did get unanimous approval again related
to our volunteer compensation for a volunteer drivers.
As you know that's one of the ways
that we save tax dollars is by using volunteers to drive,
veterans and disabled individuals to appointments
and that rate for mileage has not changed since 1996.
It's $0.14.
So even this year, that mileage rate has changed between January
and July has gone up again for the business side of things.
So if we want to go and continue to be good stewards
to tax dollars this is something we in Minnesota have championed
to say that that should be at least be able to have the tax
rate off comparable when we are going and really providing
the services for our communities and our Chair
Halverson: Thank you.
Great report.
Transportation Advisory Board?
Commissioner Hallberg.
>> Thank you Madam Chair the July meeting was canceled there
are things happening behind the scenes we're working on storing
all the applications for the regional solicitation
and it's my understanding that the letters submitted by Scott
and Dakota County a couple months ago,
there's movement on those issues as well.
So stay Chair Halverson: Thank you.
Vermillion River watershed joint powers board commissioner
Slavik?
Commissioner Slavik: Thank you Madam Chair
we did meet two things of note.
One of them we did receive the results of the 2025 Monitoring
Network report I think as somebody
who grew up swimming in the Vermillion River
and someone who lives on the Vermillion River
now I can tell you that though there are still
a lot of work to do, things are sure a lot better than they were
25 years ago.
So that is one positive of that that we are making
steps in the right direction.
And second thing is that the discussion going on
will be working towards our preliminary levee in September.
Chair Halverson: Workforce Development Board Commissioner
Herman Rowlands.
Commissioner Hamann-Roland: Thank you Madam Chair
it was Saint Paul will be hosting a coffee
break for members of the River Heights Chamber of Commerce.
And the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday
September the 15th and that'll be from 8 to 9 a.m.
And it's going to be at the Northern Services Center.
In West Saint Paul.
And it'll be a great chance for you to network
and get to know employers.
In the area.
Chair Halverson: Thank you.
Are there any other comments, updates from commissioners?
Hearing none we can move on to the county manager's report for.
Heidi.
>> Thank you Madam Chair just two items today I wanted
to thank our fiscal development team for their organization
of what I thought was quite a successful tour of capital
investment projects for that the board took last week.
Really a good tour and I thought a lot of good detail
that we were able to see.
And think about.
Second, I want to remind the public
that they are as always invited to our board
meeting next week which will be a special meeting at the County
fair.
So we always enjoy being able to see people
when we're out at the fair and just a reminder to come on out.
Chair Halverson: Thank you.
Anything else?
Hyman Commissioner Hamann-Roland:
We did have a county manager -- we did have a great tour and one
of the things that I was charged with is to learn about how we
can get a different bus.
And I was at the Mvrta meeting and learned,
I asked them about this, and learned that our joint Powers
agreement includes two times where we can have a bus
and that is at no cost to.
So it is not something that we would be given as a gift,
it is part of our agreement.
So thank you.
And it's not a school bus.
What I want to tell you, I ask for is it's the accessible bus,
it's a brand new, it's wonderful and I
thought it would be a great way to show off what we can provide
to our residents in our area.
Thank you.
Chair Halverson: Thank you very much.
Commissioner -- manager Walsh I also perhaps wanted to make note
that this week is our first budget open House of the week.
(Laughs) there's a lot going on.
But I do want to be sure that the public knows
that it is at the CDA building in Eagan from 5 to 630
and all the experts will be there.
And us. (Laughs) we're not the experts.
We are learning a lot.
And really want to thank the staff that
have been working so hard to put this
together so that the public has an opportunity to engage
in our budget process.
And with that is there anything else (Indistinct)
hearing nothing I will call for a motion for adjournment.
>> Move to adjourn.
Chair Halverson: It's been moved and seconded enthusiastically.
All in favor say aye any opposed say no.
And with that we are adjourned.
Thank you.