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Dakota County seeks flexibility to use remaining design funds for Thompson County Park construction
Summary
Dakota County officials asked the committee to allow the remaining ~$1 million from a 2023 schematic-design appropriation to be used for final design or construction of specific Thompson County Park projects rather than design-only, saying completed schematic work and matching options make construction feasible.
Dakota County officials told the Senate Capital Investment Committee on April 16 they want the Legislature to allow about $1 million left from a 2023 parks-design appropriation to be used for final design and construction of one or more Thompson County Park improvements.
Niki Geisler, Dakota County parks director, described the park as a 58-acre, high-use facility and said schematic design for a suite of master-plan projects is complete. "We are not asking for new money — we are asking for the flexibility to put the dollars you already invested to the highest and best use," Geisler said, listing potential projects including an ADA aggregate path with nature-play stations, Emerson Pond picnic area and trail upgrades, Dakota Lodge renovations and entry/greenway improvements.
Committee staff reminded Geisler that state funds are typically last-dollar and that the remaining dollars often cannot be released until other matching funding is in place; Geisler said each project has independent cost estimates and the county would work with its board to select which project to advance if allowed. The committee did not take final action and set the counsel document aside for further consideration.
