DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Housing & Community Supports
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Contracts With GEST Minn Ventures LLC And DARTS For Transportation Services
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, a Request for Proposal was distributed on April 27, 2026, for expansion of transportation services paid for with Dakota County Transportation Sales and Use Tax allocated to Dakota County Social Services; and
WHEREAS, GEST Minn Ventures LLC and DARTS were selected as providers to expand transportation services; and
WHEREAS, sufficient funding is included in the 2026 Social Services budget and is expected to be authorized in the 2027 County Manager’s Recommended Budget to fund the cost of the contracts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager, or delegate, to execute a contract with GEST Minn Ventures LLC to expand transportation services in an amount not to exceed $276,000 from the period of execution through December 31, 2027, and with DARTS to expand transportation services in an amount not to exceed $276,000 from the period of execution through December 31, 2027, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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BACKGROUND
By Minn. Stat. § 297A.993 counties are authorized to collect a transportation sales and use tax, which Dakota County has been collecting since 2017. The proceeds of the tax can be used for payment of transit operating costs. Dakota County Social Services receives $500,000 in transportation sales and use tax annually. This funding is intended to fill transportation gaps for Dakota County residents with disabilities and older adults. Social Services currently uses transportation sales and use tax funds to pay for volunteer driver services, the jail transportation program, and a local match to a transportation services grant from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).
Social Services issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to distribute the remaining funds ($320,000 in 2026 and $232,000 in 2027). Dakota County requested proposals to increase transportation options and fill transportation gaps in Dakota County, especially for individuals with disabilities, older adults, wheelchair accessible transportation, transportation in rural areas and transportation to medical appointments for those not eligible for Medicaid.
GEST Minn Ventures LLC and DARTS were selected to receive $276,000 each to expand transportation services for Dakota County residents through December 31, 2027.
GEST Minn Ventures LLC is a new provider to Dakota County and will provide rides to Dakota County residents with three new on-demand vehicles, including one wheelchair accessible vehicle, to provide rides to residents in Dakota County (Attachment: Contract Summary Sheet - GEST). This service will begin in a limited geographic area and will be expanded as this service provider becomes established in Dakota County. At full capacity, GEST Minn Ventures LLC will provide 1000 rides per month (or 33 new rides per day).
DARTS will expand its existing transportation options by increasing frequency of existing transit loops, increasing number of hours available for individual rides and group rides (Attachment: Contract Summary Sheet - DARTS). DARTS will provide 122 new rides per month (or 4 new rides per day).
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Dakota County enter into a contract with GEST Minn Ventures LLC for transportation services in an amount not to exceed $276,000 for the period of execution through December 31, 2027, and DARTS for transportation services in an amount not to exceed $276,000 for the period of execution through December 31, 2027.
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
The 2026 Social Services Amended Budget includes $500,000 for transportation services from the Transportation Sales and Use Tax. The 2027 County Manager’s Recommended Budget will include an additional $500,000 for transportation services to be paid from Transportation Sales and Use Tax. Included in this budget is an allocation of $552,000 for these contracts, reflected in the Transportation Services line below.
|
Category |
2026 Sales and Use Tax |
2027 Sales and Use Tax |
Total Sales and Use Tax |
|
Volunteer Driver Services |
$45,000 |
$45,000 |
$90,000 |
|
Jail Transportation Program |
$57,000 |
$145,000 |
$202,000 |
|
Transportation Services |
$320,000 |
$232,000 |
$552,000 |
|
5310 Grant Match |
$78,000 |
$78,000 |
$156,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$500,000 |
$500,000 |
$1,000,000 |
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Solicitation Summary Sheet
Attachment: Contract Summary Sheet - GEST
Attachment: Contract Summary Sheet - DARTS
CONTACT
Department Director: Emily Schug
Author: Madeline Kastler