DEPARTMENT: Assessing Services
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute A Contract Renewal with CycloMedia Technology, Inc. For Acquisition Of Street Level Images
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a contract renewal with CycloMedia Technology, Inc. for the acquisition of updated street-level imagery and use of licensed images and software.
SUMMARY
Minn. Stat. § 273.08, Assessor Duties, mandates that "The assessor shall actually view, and determine the market value" of each property at least every five years. As advised by the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO), in certain cases when assessors have reliable and current real estate data, the effort of 'actually viewing' real estate can be accomplished digitally with current technologies. According to the IAAO, a current photo is less than six years old. MN Department of Revenue guidelines require updated imagery for the five-year quintile reassessment. Through a Request for Proposal issued on December 16, 2015, Dakota County solicited vendors to provide a proposal for the acquisition of countywide street-level images. By Resolution No. 16-144 (March 1, 2016), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized a contract to be executed with CycloMedia Technology Inc. for acquisition of street-level images, and by Resolution No. 21-056 (January 19, 2021) authorized a contract renewal for updated imagery. The dates of those images are during the spring of 2021, which necessitates updated imagery in 2026 to comply with IAAO and Department of Revenue standards. Updated street view images are necessary to sustain the quality of values using desktop viewing of real estate.
Updated high-quality street-level imagery will:
• Support a business model of using technology to efficiently meet statutory revaluation requirements,
• Provide all appraisal staff the tools to make accurate valuation estimates without greater investment in field inspections,
• Ensure taxpayers expectations are met by establishing fair and accurate assessments, and
• Reinforce customer confidence by providing users who access the County's Property Information system (PIO) with up-to-date front images of properties.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends execution of a contract renewal with CycloMedia Technology, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $578,775 for the acquisition of street-level imagery and a licensing and image hosting agreement for the use of supplemental images and software.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
This contract will be paid for using fund balance in the General Fund and is included in Assessing Services Department as part of the 2026 Adopted General Fund Budget.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, assessors are mandated in statute to actually view and determine the market value of each property at least every five years; and
WHEREAS, 'actually viewing' real estate can be accomplished digitally with today's technologies; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County Assessing Services has leveraged desktop inspection procedures to meet statutory quintile revaluation requirements, under industry standards, since 2006; and
WHEREAS, Assessing Services wishes to continue its business model of using technology to efficiently meet statutory revaluation requirements, provide all appraisal staff the tools to make accurate valuation estimates without greater investment in field inspections and ensure taxpayers expectations are met by establishing fair and accurate assessments; and
WHEREAS, through a Request for Proposals issued on December 16, 2015, Dakota County solicited vendors to provide a proposal for the acquisition of countywide street-level images; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 16-144 (March 1, 2016), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorize a contract be executed with CycloMedia Technology Inc. for acquisition of street-level images in an amount not to exceed $249,774; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 21-056 (January 19, 2021), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorize a contract renewal with CycloMedia Technology Inc. for acquisition of street-level images in an amount not to exceed $378,400 with additional image hosting costs of $49,575 for a total 5-year project cost of $427,975; and
WHEREAS, CycloMedia Technologies, Inc. submitted the renewal proposal that provides the best value to Dakota County for acquisition of street-level images as well as offering valuable access to a larger collection of licensed images and software to Assessing Services staff; and
WHEREAS, the estimated cost to secure this product from CycloMedia Technologies, Inc. is $578,775 inclusive of licensing and image hosting costs; and
WHEREAS, funding for the street level images is included in the 2026 Assessing Services approved budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Assessor to execute a contract renewal with CycloMedia Technology, Inc. for the acquisition of street-level images and the use of licensed images and software in an amount not to exceed $578,775, for a period of 5 years, subject to approval by the County Attorney's Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
21-056; 1/19/21
16-144; 3/01/16
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: 2026 Contract
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: Scott Lyons
Author: Scott Lyons