Mike Slavic, Dakota County commissioner for District 1, told the Farmington City Council on Jan. 5 that counties face mounting fiscal pressure from proposed state and federal changes and that Dakota County has acted to reduce costs and protect core services. "When that went into place, it was staggered over a number of years ... The switch turns on in 2027," Slavic said, warning that some federal and state shifts will increase county responsibilities and staffing needs.

Slavic said county leaders eliminated 44 positions and imposed a hiring freeze for 2026 after reviewing mandated services and seeking savings; he described a two‑year reprieve negotiated to form a working group focused on streamlining health and human services. "We actually had about 57 positions open, but we reallocated about 13 of them ... the net is about 57 positions, but 44 of them permanently eliminated," he said.

The commissioner highlighted several investments and partnerships intended to address community needs. He cited a 16‑bed recovery and crisis center in West St. Paul launched in 2025 to expand capacity for people in mental‑health crises and a $16 million addition to the county jail creating an integrated health unit for detainees with behavioral health needs. Slavic framed the jail unit as both a public‑safety and cost‑containment measure, saying treatment before release can reduce repeat incarcerations.

Slavic also described long-planned regional infrastructure projects: a joint Dakota‑Scott County recycling facility ("RZ‑2") sited near Lakeville to serve the southern part of the county and a 40‑unit workforce housing development (Denmark Trail) created with the county CDA and local permitting partners. "Farmington was one of the best cities they've ever worked with in terms of going through the permitting process," he said, noting the development filled quickly and will have a formal ribbon‑cutting in the spring.

Council members thanked Slavic for the update and discussed options for coordinated legislative advocacy at the state Capitol to press for relief from shifting mandates. Slavic said the county has experimented with legislative breakfasts and recommended convening Dakota County officials and cities for targeted meetings with the delegation.

Next steps: Slavic urged continued local cooperation on budgeting and legislative outreach in 2026 as some federal/state changes take full effect in 2027–2028.