[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6474387,"mediaKeyId","5740134-b4577560cf0b4081273ac8f5e127c47b","parentId",5740134,"title","Dakota County certifies $1,037,693 levy for Vermillion River Watershed’s 2026 budget","audioSeconds",517,"startMs",1591000,"endMs",2108000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5740134-b4577560cf0b4081273ac8f5e127c47b&start=1591&end=2108","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5740134-b4577560cf0b4081273ac8f5e127c47b/thumbnail_1591000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6474387/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Dakota-County-certifies-1037693-levy-for-Vermillion-River-Watersheds-2026-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474387-c05de661ff5ba9a4a89700b54ed821ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770512017&Signature=fIaZ-EIZD2LuzvKbHEQQxO5HNctIcUlvpJwxprbcvmGHmc6eLce-deUTP~NsEmYJI5Dbgt5lVYL7e~7IOdopeAW9GV8mC3U1tMkU7HwJMCy4K5v8gSG~i1Vnn5fivw7~beIb5RCm2EqtXLMTEo4MKi3wv6GJPm27f~vlGYCPxjH6QSRhsYY6RZcuCIZGso7vAv9WSVlbAPE3ykHO5jK9yHo9DqhWiHTT41nxwiWg5--FdgHdwVWq83sbA4zce7H1EogNsVW-EMtfkQtP-MXBy1tYyORxHeTtdD1TkgooI5p7-qCbe52DBvK4Gi8G-si4IXcHiH819St3kW99wkwx0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dakota County","date","2025-09-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Dakota County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 9 certified the Dakota County portion of the Vermillion River Watershed Management Tax District proposed levy of $1,037,693 for taxes payable in 2026, following a presentation by Travis Thiel, administrator for the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization.

Thiel outlined the watershed’s proposed 2026 budget: projected revenues and expenses of approximately $2,600,000, a projected fund balance of about $1,170,000 (approximately 44% of expenses) and a budget composition in which roughly 66% of expenditures go to capital improvement (CIP) projects.

Thiel said the watershed’s estimated tax capacity is just under $360,000,000 and that Dakota County accounts for about 96.2% of the watershed’s tax base, with Scott County representing roughly 3.8%. Applying the watershed’s proposed levy results in Dakota County’s share of $1,037,693 and Scott County’s share of about $40,000.

On the levy trend, Thiel said the proposed 2026 levy represents an approximate 5% increase over the prior year and that the tax-rate trend appears flat or slightly declining; he noted the estimated tax impact for the median-value household would rise by about $0.31.

Thiel highlighted completed or ongoing projects for 2025: alum treatment of Lake Alimagnet (reported to have tripled water clarity in the short term), a second year of invasive carp and goldfish removal from East Lake, stormwater capture and reuse at Grand Prairie Park in Lakeville (including irrigation and a recirculating splash pad design to reduce municipal water use), a storm-sewer sediment-separation installation on 200th Street in Lakeville, and infiltration basins at the new Rosemount Public Works and Police Facility to recharge groundwater.

Commissioner Droste (serving on the watershed JPO) invited board members to a project tour on Thursday, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon to view completed projects in Lakeville and Rosemount.

Motion and vote: Commissioner Droste moved to certify the Dakota County portion of the Vermillion River Watershed Management Tax District proposed levy at $1,037,693 for taxes payable in 2026; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Oberg. The clerk called the roll and the motion carried with affirmative votes from the commissioners present. (See actions[] for the formal record.)

The board thanked Thiel and Vermillion River Watershed members for the annual update and for the invitation to the project tour.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dakota County - Board of Commissioners on 2025-09-09 9:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The county board certified Dakota County’s share of the Vermillion River Watershed Management Tax District proposed levy — $1,037,693 for taxes payable in 2026 — after a presentation summarizing the watershed’s 2026 budget, capital projects and a 5% proposed levy increase.","taxTitle","Dakota County, Minnesota","taxId",4525,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474392,"Dakota County proclaims September 2025 Workforce Development Month after annual update",1170,388000,1558000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5740134-b4577560cf0b4081273ac8f5e127c47b&start=388&end=1558","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5740134-b4577560cf0b4081273ac8f5e127c47b/thumbnail_388000.jpg","/articles/6474392/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Dakota-County-proclaims-September-2025-Workforce-Development-Month-after-annual-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474392-b88d9aeded6fc7f7bdce7f3334e92c85/orig.mp4?Expires=1770512017&Signature=fDD0VD6s9FEdPht30T5IV7TLIS3lxUckrriVjSApwUcaMpX8tQWJrjlUrI8pkBf3dMs8hjfGrcU2Jnr8p2dRFEe4KLRw5RFQ1blX7mzncPrCwrtpV2GebcWifYsPdutx12UwCnR2ltXAL-lA~~0v0mt15q4gBcq4kfw0nh3InxTjN6BX3VCFac3wCloxyJhw37Zrl160khNbSioFTc0X90V7WJnw5Pej1ST700FHaeZel~OcEx7bXHc4p8F6Us7h1siP3AZG5u0GZ9m0scK2b7lvZLDAuyYUk5Rt9fIWeFJZI0QbYQ8dsD5wHWkU6O4z6JER48LveyEvi8ots~aXwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dakota County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 9 in Hastings unanimously proclaimed September 2025 as Workforce Development Month in Dakota County after receiving the Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board’s annual update.

The proclamation recognizes the board’s role coordinating career services, employer engagement and youth programming across the county and nearby communities.

The update was delivered by representatives of local workforce partners: Kristen Ridley of Reem Kenworth in South St. Paul, Jeffrey Rainey, economic development director at Dakota Electric Association, and Holly Ovegard, talent acquisition program manager for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and Mystic Lake Casino. The presenters described client success stories, new service sites and changes in the local labor market.

Kristen Ridley described a recent client case and the role of the CareerForce network: “This quick timeline might not happen with everyone, but every success story is so great to read about. I absolutely look forward to these emails, when they get sent out and reading all these success stories.” She also noted a ribbon cutting in March for a new CareerForce site in Burnsville that joins existing sites in Shakopee and West St. Paul.

Jeffrey Rainey, who chairs the workforce evaluation committee, described local labor-market shifts that are mirrored nationally: “We’re seeing, as mentioned, more layoffs, more on mass layoffs so far in 2025 than all of 2024.” He cited data provided by Tim O’Neil of Minnesota DEED showing a recent rise in the unemployment rate, a slight reduction in the number of people employed and increased visits to CareerForce centers.

Holly Ovegard highlighted workforce partnerships and programs, including internship management, community outreach and work to reduce barriers such as child care, transportation and housing. The presenters described employer services (webinars and workshops on topics like paid medical leave and pay transparency), youth engagement efforts including a record-attendance teen job fair, and new workshops focused on networking and employer engagement.

Board members asked how statewide and national trends were playing out locally. Commissioner Atkins asked whether the national increase in unemployment was visible in Dakota County; presenters replied that they have seen more people seeking services and fewer employers participating in hiring events than the prior year. No specific dollar figures for countywide workforce funding were provided during the presentation.

Motion and vote: Commissioner Hayman Rowland moved to adopt the proclamation; Commissioner Atkins seconded. The clerk called the roll and the motion carried with the commissioners answering in the affirmative. (See actions[] for formal record.)

The board thanked workforce board members for their volunteer service and invited continued outreach and collaboration between employers, training providers and county programs.

Looking ahead, presenters noted continuing attention to trends such as AI’s impact on hiring, state-level legislation affecting workforce policy, and plans for additional employer and youth programming in 2025–2026.","The Dakota County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 9 proclaimed September 2025 Workforce Development Month after receiving an annual update from the Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board highlighting rising layoffs, expanded career force sites and outreach efforts.","actionData","errors"]

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Dakota County certifies $1,037,693 levy for Vermillion River Watershed’s 2026 budget

Dakota County proclaims September 2025 Workforce Development Month after annual update