DEPARTMENT: Office Of Risk Management
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With Cities Of Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul And West St. Paul For Continued Emergency Management Planning
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the Risk and Emergency Management Director to execute joint powers agreements (JPA) with the cities of Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul for emergency management planning from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
SUMMARY
Dakota County has contracted with the cities of Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul to provide support for emergency management planning since 2013.
Providing emergency management services to communities needing planning and exercise support benefits the County and the communities by promoting preparedness and standardizing Emergency Operations Plans. It is beneficial for the communities to contract with Dakota County for this support by the emergency management contractor already in place through additional contracted hours paid for by the cities included in the JPA.
It is desirable to have the cities contract with the County for emergency planning activities as it allows for the use of the County Emergency Operations plan as a workable template for the cities for better emergency planning consistency. It allows for better oversite and influence in emergency response countywide for the betterment of county constituents. With new annual requirements from Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management regarding plan requirements, this allows for timely, consistent plan updates and testing with County input and inclusion. By having the cities contract for emergency planning services, we remain the leader of emergency preparedness countywide.
The JPA includes the following deliverables:
1. Emergency Operations Plan Update
2. Emergency Operations Center Tabletop or Functional Exercise and Development
The joint powers agreements provide for contracted emergency management planning within a defined work plan and contracted hours by a sub-contractor already established and to be accounted for separately. Attachments one through five include the individual city JPAs.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommend that the Board authorize the Risk and Emergency Management Director to execute separate JPA’s with the cities of Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul For Emergency Management Planning from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The County will be reimbursed $6,578 by each participating city in 2026. These revenues 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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WHEREAS, since 2013 and with the approval of the Dakota County Board of Commissioners, the
County has provided emergency management planning services to the Cities of Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul; and
WHEREAS, the Cities of Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul have requested that the County continue to provide emergency management support through individual joint powers agreements (JPAs) for a one-year period; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County agrees to enter into individual JPAs and provide these cities
with emergency management planning support with an already-approved sub-contractor for the
period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County will be reimbursed by each participating city $6,578.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby
authorizes the Risk and Emergency Management Director to execute individual joint powers agreements (JPAs) with the cities of Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul, where the Dakota County will provide emergency management support through a sub-contractor, for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, subject to approval by the County Attorney's Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
23-112; 3/14/23
23-113; 3/14/23
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Farmington
Attachment: Inver Grove Heights
Attachment: Mendota Heights
Attachment: South St. Paul
Attachment: West St. Paul
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: Jenny Groskopf
Author: Kelly Miller