DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreements With Eureka Township And City Of Vermillion For Septic System Maintenance Programs
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Dakota County Ordinance No. 113, Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS), establishes standards for individual sewage treatment systems within shoreland and floodplain areas of Dakota County's 12 unincorporated townships. Based on the jurisdiction section of Ordinance 113, the ordinance applies to all land area within the county, except within municipalities that administer a SSTS program by ordinance within their jurisdiction that are at least as strict as this ordinance.; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council requires all metropolitan municipalities to implement a Septic Pump Maintenance Program to ensure that all septic systems are pumped every three years; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County Ordinance No. 113 authorizes the County to maintain septic system records submitted by cities, townships, and pumpers; and
WHEREAS, Eureka Township and the City of Vermillion request that the County provide administrative services for their septic pump maintenance programs; and
WHEREAS, under Minn. Stat. § 471.59, the County and each municipality may enter into a joint powers agreement for the County to perform services that the municipality is authorized to provide; and
WHEREAS, all municipalities requesting a joint powers agreement for the County’s administrative support have enacted a Municipal SSTS Ordinance, that meets State and County SSTS standards, thereby providing county-wide uniform and consistent standards, guidelines, and regulations for the compliance and enforcement of proper siting, design, construction, installation, operation, maintenance, repair inspection and permanent abandonment of septic systems in Dakota County; and
WHEREAS, the Dakota County Fee Schedule includes an annual Pump Maintenance Fee paid by the cities and townships that request this administrative service from Dakota County through a Joint Powers Agreement; and
WHEREAS, timely septic system maintenance helps protect groundwater and public health.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager, or designee, to execute joint powers agreements with Eureka Township and the City of Vermillion for administrative services related to their septic pump maintenance programs, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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BACKGROUND
By Resolution No. 99-743 (December 21, 1999), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized joint powers agreements with townships and cities for the County to provide administrative services supporting municipal septic pump maintenance programs. The administrative services include maintaining a database that updates individual septic system pumping dates submitted by licensed pumpers and sending reminder postcards to homeowners when their systems have not been pumped within three years. Cities and townships pay annual fees to the County for these services. Resolution No. 25-608 (December 16, 2025) approved the extension of the joint powers of agreements with 13 cities and townships. Eureka Township and the city of Vermillion missed the deadline to be included in the 2025 Board action but want to participate in the program. They have completed the necessary internal processes and are now requesting to be added to the program.
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends authorizing the County Manager, or designee, to execute joint powers agreements with Eureka Township and the City of Vermillion for administrative services supporting their septic pump maintenance programs.
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
The 2026 Dakota County Fee Schedule includes an annual Pump Maintenance Fee paid by the Cities and Townships that request this administrative service from Dakota County through a joint powers agreement. This Pump Maintenance Fee covers staff costs to administer the records and send reminder postcards for each septic system in a city or township for each year. The current 2026 JPA Pump Maintenance Fee is $3 / septic system / year. The proposed 2027 JPA Pump Maintenance Fee is also $3 / septic system / year.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
99-743; 12/21/99
25-608; 12/16/25
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Draft Joint Powers Agreement With City Of Vermillion
Attachment: Draft Joint Powers Agreement With Eureka Township
CONTACTS
Department Director: Nikki Stewart
Author: Ben Hoyt