DEPARTMENT: Parks, Facilities, and Fleet Management
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Discussion On County Gift Acceptance Policy And Practices
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Discuss and obtain direction on the desired policy approach to accepting and recognizing gifts, tributes, and memorials for County programs and projects.
SUMMARY
The County has had a gift acceptance policy in place since 1997, Policy 1570 Gift Acceptance. It allows the County Manager or their designee the authority to accept gifts up to $500 on the County Board’s behalf. Gifts over $500 in value require County Board approval.
Historically, the County has accepted gifts for a variety of public purposes, including (Attachment: Dakota County Gifts/Donations Summary):
• Support for library materials (e.g, books, educational materials, events, programming, workshops)
• Public Art (i.e., artwork at County facilities)
• Parks and Greenway projects (e.g., property donations, cash, materials)
• Sheriff (e.g., vehicles and equipment, cash, inmate reading material)
• Community Services programs (e.g., cash, gift cards, food, program support)
• Transportation’s Adopt a Highway Program
The County is authorized to accept gifts by Minn. Stat. § 375.27. There are also limitations on fundraising and other activities that may implicate First Amendment rights. A summary of legal principles regarding gift acceptance, recognition, and fundraising prepared by the County Attorney’s Office is attached to inform the discussion (see Attachment: Summary of Legal Principles).
The County also receives gifts and donations from a variety of non-profit organizations, such as:
• Friends of the Library: Farmington, Galaxie, Heritage, Inver Glen, Pleasant Hill, Robert Trail, Wentworth, and Wescott.
• Dakota County Library Foundation. This organization raises funding for specific library programs and needs.
During the 2022 budget process and in subsequent committee meetings, the County Board has directed staff to look into donations to support large capital projects. For example, by Resolution No. 22-201 (May 24, 2022), the County Board approved the release of the draft Veterans Memorial Greenway Interpretive Plan with ten memorial concept nodes on May 24, 2022, for public review. This draft plan includes concepts for enhanced memorial nodes that would be funded through donations from external organizations.
County staff and elected officials receive ongoing requests for:
• Tribute Donations (e.g., bench, bike repair stations, trees, signage)
• Unrestricted Donations (park investment determined by department priorities)
• Designated Donations (e.g., special events, park programs, memorial nodes, trail projects, plantings, vehicles, and equipment)
• Sponsorships (typically larger donations where the donor expects longer-term recognition for the donation)
Staff has researched what other organizations have developed to respond to public interest in supporting County programs and projects (see Attachment: Metro Area Foundation/Donation Summary).
Staff will present information on current County gift acceptance policies and practices, the legal limitations imposed on County’s related to gift acceptance and fundraising, recent County Board discussion related to large donations, and provide an overview of potential gift/donation policy options for County Board consideration.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
987-261; 4/22/97
09-355; 7/21/09
22-201; 5/24/22
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Dakota County Gifts/Donations Summary
Attachment: Summary of Legal Principles
Attachment: Metro Area Foundation/Donation Summary
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☒ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT LEVEL
☐ Inform and Listen ☐ Discuss ☐ Involve ☒ N/A
CONTACT
Department Head: W. Taud Hoopingarner
Author: W. Taud Hoopingarner