DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Agreement With University Of Minnesota For Local Extension Programming And Employing Extension Staff
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, on January 1, 2004, the University of Minnesota (U of M) Extension deployed a new model for Extension programming; and
WHEREAS, Extension Regional Offices were established throughout the state (one of those located in Farmington at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center) and local Extension offices were established in counties where customized local programs, services, and positions are funded with county dollars; and
WHEREAS, this arrangement provided counties more choices in local Extension programming and increased accountability from Extension for its work; and
WHEREAS, since 2004, the Dakota County Extension Committee has recommended programming, and based on current community need, continues to recommend that local programming be offered for the following areas: Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development and Horticulture/Master Gardener; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 22-124 (March 15, 2022), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized the Physical Development Director to execute an agreement with the U of M for the support of the Dakota County Master Gardener (DCMG) program, including $90,000 for a 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) position responsible for managing Dakota County plant production and DCMG program activities and $5,500 in in-kind support for DCMG program activities; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 23-528 (November 28, 2023), the DCMG, a volunteer program of the U of M Extension, authorized re-establishing a formal partnership with the County focused on expanding their plant production efforts and associated public services regarding horticulture and environmental stewardship; and
WHEREAS, to establish consistency for the rates charged for these local Extension program positions, the U of M works with the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC), and the AMC sub-committee for Extension, to establish statewide costs; and
WHEREAS, staff is recommending a three-year agreement with a cost of $463,750 for 2025, $477,625 for 2026, and $491,975 for 2027, for a total not to exceed amount of $1,433,350; and
WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. §§ 38.34-38.37 authorizes a board of county commissioners to incur expenses and spend money for county Extension work, states that money in the county Extension fund appropriated by the county board be paid out by orders of the U of M Dean of Extension, and provides that Extension education and program staff must be U of M employees employed according to U of M personnel procedures; and
WHEREAS, this agreement includes salary and fringe benefits for the local programming positions, all travel (mileage, meals and lodging), in-service training and professional development, program supervision, and payroll and accounting services provided by the U of M; and
WHEREAS, all program staff will continue to be U of M employees; and
WHEREAS, the County will provide support for these positions such as office space, telephone, computer, email, support staff, and other general office supplies; and
WHEREAS, all services will be provided exclusively in Dakota County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute an agreement with the University of Minnesota for local Extension programming and employing Extension staff in an amount not to exceed $1,433,350, effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Community Services Director is hereby authorized to amend said agreement/contract, consistent with the amount budgeted, to alter the agreement/contract amount and the agreement/contract term up to one year after initial expiration date, consistent with County contracting policies, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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