DEPARTMENT: Physical Development Administration
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Release Draft 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program For Formal Review
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the County Manager to release the draft 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to cities for formal review and to post the draft CIP on the Dakota County website.
SUMMARY
As part of the annual budget process, the County prepares a five-year CIP. The CIP identifies capital projects to support existing and future services. It provides a development program that is used to maximize outside revenue sources and effectively plan for future growth and maintenance of the County’s infrastructure. The first year (2026) of the five-year CIP will become part of the County’s overall 2026 budget when approved.
The County’s draft CIP contains five sections: Data Networks, Environmental Resources, Facilities, Parks and Greenways, and Transportation. A copy of the five sections will be available on the County’s website upon County Board approval. Pending approval of the authorization to release the Regional Rail Authority CIP, it will be included in a packet sent to cities and townships for review and comment.
In the spring of each year, staff meet with representatives for the County’s cities and townships to review the current CIP and requests for modifications and/or additions.
The County Manager has reviewed the draft summary of the 2026-2030 CIP (Attachment: DRAFT Dakota County 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program). Although it was reviewed with the County Manager and presented to the County Board at a Budget Workshop on August 19, 2025, the draft CIP does not imply the final recommendation of the County Manager.
Recommended projects and the years in which proposed projects appear are subject to continued review and change prior to the recommendations of the County Manager to the Board of Commissioners as part of the recommended budget. The purpose of submitting the draft CIP for formal review is to obtain additional advice and input prior to making final recommendations to the Board.
By Resolution No. 24-476 (September 24, 2024), budget workshops to discuss the 2026 Budget began on July 8, 2025, and a public hearing has been scheduled for December 2, 2025, to receive comments on the proposed CIP. Minn. Stat. § 373.40, subd. 3 requires that the County hold a public hearing prior to the adoption of the CIP.
The County Board is currently scheduled to consider the adoption of the 2026-2030 CIP on December 16, 2025.
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends the Board authorize the County Manager to submit the draft 2026-2030 CIP summary to the Cities and Townships for formal review and comment prior to the public hearing held in December 2025. Staff also recommends the Board authorize the County Manager to post the draft CIP on the Dakota County website for public viewing.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners recognizes the need to identify and plan for future capital projects; and
WHEREAS, the County desires input from local communities in developing its Capital Improvement Program (CIP); and
WHEREAS, staff has compiled the draft 2026-2030 CIP; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-476 (September 24, 2024), the County Board scheduled budget workshops to discuss the 2024 Budget, which began on July 8, 2025; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-476 (September 24, 2024), the County Board also scheduled a public hearing to be held on December 2, 2025, to receive comments on the 2026-2030 CIP.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager to submit the draft 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program summary to the cities and townships for formal review and comment prior to the public hearing; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager to post the draft 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program to the Dakota County website to allow review from interested parties as a means of receiving further input prior to the adoption of the Capital Improvement Program in December 2025.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
24-476; 9/24/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Draft Dakota County 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program
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: Erin Stwora
Author: Alex Jermeland