DEPARTMENT: Finance
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Overview Of Recommended 2026 Dakota County Fee Schedules
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Provide an overview of 2026 recommended fee schedules.
SUMMARY
Minn. Stat. §373.41 provides Dakota County the authority to establish fees for service. Fee revenues help support the cost of operations and offset annual levy amounts required to maintain services.
The proposed fees are set at the estimated cost of providing services including overhead. The proposed fees generally include a three percent increase over 2025 levels to help offset higher labor costs and inflation, unless specific circumstances created exceptions. General exceptions include:
• Fees established by law or rule.
• Fees for services when it is difficult to determine the actual cost of service such as campground and rental of facilities and equipment. Fees for these types of services are based upon marketplace rates.
Community Services fees are set at the actual cost of service, but the amount charged to clients is usually less due to the provisions of sliding fee schedules included in the Community Services fee policy. The fees in this County Board action are those fees that the County Board establishes annually through the public hearing process.
Staff will present fee recommendations to the General Government and Policy Committee of the Whole. No action is requested at this time. The County Board is scheduled to adopt 2026 fees following the public hearing on November 4, 2025. The fees will be effective on January 1, 2026, and some Parks fees will be effective late 2025.
The fee schedules are presented separately for each Division/Department. Individual Division/Department presentations are not planned; however, staff will be present to respond to specific questions and concerns.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The projected fee revenue will be included in the County Manager’s 2026 recommended budget.
☒ 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
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: 2026 Recommended Fee Schedule
Attachment: Presentation Slides
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Will Wallo
Author: Kirupa Suntharalingam