[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_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",6460755,"mediaKeyId","5827744-a53e696b3de61b1f987fa8cee9fb4ae8","parentId",5827744,"title","Dakota County board adopts 9.9% maximum proposed levy for 2026, citing fund-balance shortfalls","audioSeconds",1525,"startMs",1092125,"endMs",2618069,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827744-a53e696b3de61b1f987fa8cee9fb4ae8&start=1092&end=2618","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827744-a53e696b3de61b1f987fa8cee9fb4ae8/thumbnail_1092125.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6460755/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Dakota-County-board-adopts-99-maximum-proposed-levy-for-2026-citing-fund-balance-shortfalls","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460755-eabbb9dac1d14705ebe53da403ed9db1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773422887&Signature=AzlGxoPi8EykSGnapCQCa~FC9r1A-QZudpfzgIYVij818dZFFa5Xh5jegADT8FeU6ZNK8rIiR8ROgrj50T9WM6dOzRjD6aoIPDk~ekzI~INQz6FrN-EluyFRe5nK4fILM7Y65bR2R0CULYQGScgoT0~egJiGs-jvDCLZOvMnCQ8bIfuVdK13H8NPshYEZse6dgPilWLMvKuFkG-f70TiL4flFJ8Lmisk~Ep5lEfxvfiW7Ao6LYmk8UmnlDTts1eNz29fNKm18947gQtY665SQbf3qlZ8IiS-u9UyWVzMIbngNZ-xUzJi6KdhPw1W3GG8As32vizl-VcFMpH5QCp0mA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dakota County","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","The Dakota County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 23 voted to adopt a maximum proposed property tax levy of $184,246,066 for 2026 — a 9.9% increase from the current levy — as a preliminary step in the county's budget process.

Will Wallow, Dakota County finance director, presented the recommendation and financial context to the board, explaining staff's baseline projection of an 8.1% increase and the additional 1.8 percentage points that bring the recommendation to 9.9%. \"Our recommended action before you today is adoption of the 2026 certified Dakota County maximum property tax levy of $184,246,066 for 2026,\" Wallow said during his presentation.

Wallow told the board the county's fund balance has declined by about $136 million over the past five years, that staff had identified $8.3 million in reductions to levy-funded programs and services (with a broader total of about $8.8 million in cuts referenced in the presentation), and that staff-proposed reductions include a net elimination of roughly 44.3 full-time equivalents (FTEs) across departments. He said roughly $3 million of the proposed additional levy would be used to fund ongoing expenditures previously paid from fund balance, including IT capital equipment and certain year-to-year contracts.

Wallow also presented projected property-tax impacts: the median residential homestead in the county would see a county tax increase of about $66.11 under the 9.9% levy. He said staff's five-year forecast includes continuing state and federal cost shifts and that the county is planning a multi-year structural deficit reduction roadmap; staff forecasted a larger levy increase (about 11.7%) in the next year under current assumptions.

Commissioners debated the recommendation at length. Several praised staff for detailed work and emphasized the need to rebuild reserves and preserve the county's AAA bond rating. Commissioner Halverson highlighted the year-round work by staff to identify efficiencies. Commissioner Atkins said he supported the preliminary figure but expressed concern about recent capital-improvement program (CIP) changes that had not been reviewed by the full board and noted the need for continued discussion and flexibility before final budget adoption. Commissioner Hoberg recorded the lone no vote on the final roll call.

Commissioner Droste moved adoption of the maximum levy; the motion passed on roll-call vote with one dissenting vote recorded for Commissioner Hoberg. The board will hold a truth-in-taxation (budget) meeting Dec. 2 and adopt the 2026 budget and levy on Dec. 16; staff signaled additional workshops between now and December to refine cuts, review fund balances and pursue a long-term financial-management plan.

The action establishes the maximum levy for public-notice purposes and does not itself finalize the budget. The presentation and workshop materials will be available with the county's meeting record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dakota County - Board of Commissioners on 2025-09-23 9:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","By roll call the board approved a maximum 2026 property tax levy of $184,246,066 (a 9.9% increase), with commissioners debating fund-balance declines, state and federal cost shifts and a multi-year plan to rebuild reserves.","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},6460760,"Dakota County approves septic setback variance for Cannon Falls property",174,902959,1077265,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827744-a53e696b3de61b1f987fa8cee9fb4ae8&start=902&end=1077","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827744-a53e696b3de61b1f987fa8cee9fb4ae8/thumbnail_902959.jpg","/articles/6460760/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Dakota-County-approves-septic-setback-variance-for-Cannon-Falls-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460760-834d17c24a58164beede94819b9c0838/orig.mp4?Expires=1773422887&Signature=ADAfom-rSs5coo-mIQYFkfR2ci9N3qfjxRzhFDev4Lh-eT7MFOkD4mZItiib4Cypd7KwdIqyX1iwESOBhEdoZ8CCoLS8DCVTQLqcaFzkPKCk6JRsA17ir02kKdmUkLYRkf-LRjYf6--exyZOBvvrZU9gOlEfbo42PyeXKYutKHf3ffMqQThlYktLETkqQAZKq0wZ7qcM2lStQ0fFRfBxnk4k73qJsYCZlUJSxgPYUOS5Qgpn5ovcAh0pZ2o68fTgGs~KOWypzyY-w8TcJY9zFiD6NVvQXJPKjJL3bxlCltjDhWB51OF-8UeKOk-8CUuMaWgEDRQqGsKuZ16gimw9og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dakota County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 23 approved a variance to county setbacks for a proposed subsurface sewage treatment system at 29715 Gerlach Way in Randolph Township, Cannon Falls.

Benjamin White, presenting for county staff, described required setbacks: 10 feet from property lines, 20 feet from structures, 50 feet from wells and 75 feet from lakes. White said the site configuration and priority protection for wells and lakes left too little area to place a compliant system. He said a variance of 1 foot (instead of 10 feet) to the township road and 4 feet (instead of 20 feet) to the homeowner's garage would allow a septic system to be installed. \"Staff recommends approval,\" White said.

The county followed required notice procedures; staff said state agencies, Randolph Township and property owners within 500 feet were notified and a public notice was posted in the official county newspaper. No public comments were received at the hearing.

Commissioner Droste moved approval and Commissioner Halverson seconded. The board adopted the variance by roll-call vote; all commissioners present voted yes.

The approval authorizes the reduced setbacks described by staff and allows the property owner to install the proposed subsurface sewage treatment system under the conditions described in the staff presentation and the county's septic ordinance process.","The board approved a variance to county septic setbacks for a property on Gerlach Way in Randolph Township, allowing reduced setbacks to a township road and the homeowner's garage so a new septic system can be installed.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6460764,"Dakota County board approves 2024 CAPER for HUD entitlement grants",342,560059,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827744-a53e696b3de61b1f987fa8cee9fb4ae8&start=560&end=902","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827744-a53e696b3de61b1f987fa8cee9fb4ae8/thumbnail_560059.jpg","/articles/6460764/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Dakota-County-board-approves-2024-CAPER-for-HUD-entitlement-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460764-22bf40a6fb93e2c51725949991859745/orig.mp4?Expires=1773422887&Signature=C9Jt4jH1FI5wG~BmCDyURaxYUnrLvxZE2sjUhH52XWSRb72Zy4HglThtbGhsZJClczogRzIs9osBevqYTzmqFyNCqMr2dwdNl8Su-AzZtLPy9rlm6PE05qzytwIRehVKnTyFnxTxKfOdd4aLuHWLt5VGz-NZXGsT7rULyUedS2~DZ1hymg75t0yZM3PZoPkofahPthudGXr-lBCTuCAibf39OybDzaVPKZEGO41ybDV4JRFXWIXLBve3MRRiRI7jXbp-Sy1ebXrrxm13GSIBpbxXFJ0EeBq5zH~yO7OAlBDy2-hDqrJgrBeHOGqUzMsx11-AtDfrH6OMkr0YFQ5G7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dakota County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 23 held a public hearing and voted unanimously to adopt and transmit the county's Program Year 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The CAPER summarizes how federal entitlement funds were spent in the year that runs July 1 through June 30; the county's submission to HUD is due Sept. 28. \"This CAPER is for year 5 of the 5 year plan for program years 2020 through 2024,\" a Community Development Agency staff member identified in the meeting as Emily said during the presentation.

The report covers use of three entitlement grants: the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG). The presenter said not all 2024 funds were expended in the program year because some projects span multiple years. The county also reported full expenditure in 2024 of CDBG funds that were specially allocated under the CARES Act (CDBG-CV).

Among the accomplishments highlighted in the presentation: ESG funds assisted eight individuals with rapid rehousing and 14 households with homelessness prevention; the county supported emergency shelter for 232 people; the CDBG-funded homeowner rehab program completed 64 home rehabilitations; HOME funds supported two new Habitat for Humanity homes in Farmington and rehabilitation of six Section 18 homes; and CDBG was used to rehabilitate 25 income-restricted townhome units at 50% area median income or below. The presenter also noted partnerships to provide services for seniors and low-income youth, and cited collaboration with DARTs on senior transportation and services.

The board opened the public hearing; no public comments were received. Commissioner Droste moved adoption of the CAPER and Commissioner Atkins seconded. The roll-call vote was recorded as unanimous in favor.

The adopted CAPER will be transmitted to HUD as the county's year-end report on entitlement funds. The presentation materials and an executive summary were attached to the meeting record and made available on the Community Development Agency website.

Details from the CAPER presentation and the board's motion are available in the transcript of the Sept. 23 meeting.","The Dakota County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing and voted unanimously to transmit the county's 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6460744,"New DARTs president introduces himself to Dakota County commissioners",119,389510,508590,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827744-a53e696b3de61b1f987fa8cee9fb4ae8&start=389&end=508","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827744-a53e696b3de61b1f987fa8cee9fb4ae8/thumbnail_389510.jpg","/articles/6460744/Dakota-County/Minnesota/New-DARTs-president-introduces-himself-to-Dakota-County-commissioners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460744-022efd630c1cc579df32e2f0d5660449/orig.mp4?Expires=1773422887&Signature=H72EfHy7kkVRwH7-~Tmn1z8V3vLVNfPl2NMqr0BR~UWotA2G0XO5f4u56kIOZ8bc21LZBS6RWQlP2JV1ZndmUiZIkIOQM77q0VH7fPeD4qHE~gemjh7-ZTzoh2f8~PsU3ZckAD7P~N5CBXS1aEk9Jm~7z40GH1q3Es3FxsjleSNvY2et8yFJRtpQ8fnLpyr~Fi~nJKpfFs14IivfYIgANTn3sdjQWEUZQRyC0bByStuWYQo6nHAfucQ7Z8nkPCIpZefK0~8m32JqnBQcIAkGO3LAzxRAE~5GMlSXpEP~hofs-rFHalnP4jwpb~e2sxvC~fWb0w6Nqk2awgy~XdgNfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mike Lavin, who said he has been on the job about 100 days, used the Sept. 23 Dakota County public-comment period to introduce himself as the new president of DARTs and to thank county leaders for existing partnerships.

\"My name is Mike Lavin, and I just wanted to come here today to introduce myself as the new president of DARTs,\" Lavin said. He told commissioners DARTs focuses on helping older adults live independently through home services (cleaning and home chores), caregiving support for families affected by dementia or Alzheimer's and transportation services that fill gaps for seniors who need rides to medical appointments and other essential destinations.

Lavin said he is reaching out to commissioners to learn more about district needs and how DARTs can support the county's aging population going forward. The board acknowledged the remarks and thanked Lavin for the partnership; no formal action was required.

The public-comment exchange was brief and took place at the start of the meeting during the designated period for items not on the agenda.","Mike Lavin, newly appointed president of DARTs, addressed the board during the public-comment period to introduce his role and highlight the agency's services for older adults, including transportation, home services and caregiving support.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6460749,"Board tables release of 2026–2030 CIP draft after debate over sales-and-use tax and project timing",2719,2638970,5358050,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827744-a53e696b3de61b1f987fa8cee9fb4ae8&start=2638&end=5358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827744-a53e696b3de61b1f987fa8cee9fb4ae8/thumbnail_2638970.jpg","/articles/6460749/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Board-tables-release-of-20262030-CIP-draft-after-debate-over-sales-and-use-tax-and-project-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460749-74e63f9470e9292352235d83a9344b67/orig.mp4?Expires=1773422887&Signature=SU2GrbaJfmW0SLr5frlNNit1U-z3h~MzI~RfJCNMNtD7qYEtpcZb2efeW6dnK5bXBGRCXX57wi9Kmqjsi8irJURsWABBnKcFE9npoQkXKIvdO4NUsj~IieFS4WehwpyPh0dwL2oo4BA1ThM7oRVu9MwSuq8YS4Bi0D6n04zOae8TfT2PyNI~voeXkujn~hnQE6~~FSOp~nedcm6Fv6G~RGyJZW5odn83tZCxq4EiP5WRGoE92G7F4ckjKthuN~ElITw~YPxIFz~ojGkNm2-Mu2Mba5WDnpW32BevCwv47QsiW923LW-ix7XnEEJkbxfTKlenu4R1I2lSSn4l27fcqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dakota County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 23 voted to table action on releasing the draft 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for public review, sending the item back to staff for edits and allowing additional board discussion before public release.

Erin Sorba, deputy director of physical development, described the CIP as a \"fluid process\" with numbers and project timing moving as the county refines fund-balance and revenue assumptions. She told the board the 2026 total plan was approximately $146.8 million, with a five-year total just under $900 million; staff said several projects were shifted out of the five-year window because sales-and-use-tax fund balance was recently revised downward by about $10 million.

After an extended discussion, commissioners raised concerns about process, the impact of moving parks and greenway construction out of the five-year window, and whether changes should be shown as \"unfunded\" rather than removed entirely. Commissioner Halverson urged a broader discussion of how to maintain the county's dedicated funds and cautioned that pushing projects past the five-year horizon could make them harder to restore later. County Manager and staff said the projects remain on the 10-year SUT list and could be restored, but that the five-year cash-flow picture required moving some construction segments.

Commissioner Atkins moved to table release of the draft CIP; Commissioner Halverson seconded. The motion to table carried by roll call; the board set a new timeline to return to the item at the Oct. 7 regularly scheduled meeting so staff could revise the draft and address board concerns prior to public circulation.

Staff said tabling would allow time to (1) update narrative language clarifying which projects were changed and why, (2) consider listing projects as \"unfunded\" rather than removed, and (3) provide cities and townships additional time to prepare comments and resolutions for the public hearing schedule. Sorba said staff would provide updated materials to the board before release and that the public comment period would follow the revised schedule.","Following discussion about a newly identified $10 million sales-and-use-tax shortfall and changes to project timing, the board voted to table release of the 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Program draft for additional review and revisions; vote to table carried Sept. 23.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dakota County board adopts 9.9% maximum proposed levy for 2026, citing fund-balance shortfalls

Dakota County approves septic setback variance for Cannon Falls property

Dakota County board approves 2024 CAPER for HUD entitlement grants

New DARTs president introduces himself to Dakota County commissioners

Board tables release of 2026–2030 CIP draft after debate over sales-and-use tax and project timing