DEPARTMENT: Community Corrections
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreements For Sentence To Service Program
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, joint powers agreements (JPA)s with several public entities are required for the purchase of work crew services through the Sentence to Service (STS) program; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends authorization to execute JPAs for the purchase of STS work crew days at a rate of $481 per day for five or more workers per crew, and $240.50 per day for work crews with less than five workers, for the following public entities:
• Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in an amount not to exceed $44,733
• City of Apple Valley in an amount not to exceed $27,417
• City of Burnsville in an amount not to exceed $14,430
• City of Eagan in an amount not to exceed $1,443
for the period of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027; and
WHEREAS, the daily crew rate and not to exceed amounts remain unchanged from the prior year, and the number of crew days purchased remains unchanged for all participating agencies except the City of Burnsville, which has requested an increase from 20 crew days to 30 crew days for 2027, contingent upon approval of its 2027 operating budget by the Burnsville City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager, or delegate, to execute joint powers agreements as presented for the purchase of guaranteed Sentence to Service work crew days at a rate of $481 per day for five or more workers per crew, and $240.50 per day for work crews with less than five workers, for the following public entities:
• Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in an amount not to exceed $44,733/year
• City of Apple Valley in an amount not to exceed $27,417/year
• City of Burnsville in an amount not to exceed $14,430/year
• City of Eagan in an amount not to exceed $1,443/year
for the period of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027, or until completion by the parties of their respective obligations under the joint powers agreements, whichever occurs first, unless earlier terminated by law or according to the provisions of the joint powers agreements, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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BACKGROUND
Dakota County Community Corrections currently has Sentence to Service (STS) joint powers agreements (JPAs) with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), and the cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, and Eagan (Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement - MnDOT and Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement - Cities).
The STS program provides lower-risk adults receiving probation services with an alternative to incarceration. STS allows clients to complete community service as part of their court-ordered sentence and may also be used as a response to noncompliance with conditions of probation.
Through STS, clients perform meaningful work in county parks, cities, along roadways, and for various community-based nonprofit organizations. The program provides a direct benefit to the community while allowing clients to fulfill court-ordered obligations without incarceration. By providing an alternative to jail, STS also reduces incarceration costs while allowing clients to remain in the community and maintain employment, family responsibilities, and other positive community connections.
The Dakota County STS program had 265 clients served in 2025 and 192 clients served in 2026, year to date.
In 2026, year to date, Community Corrections’ clients have completed 7,560 hours of STS, which saved Dakota County 945 jail bed days and $258,410.
In 2024, the completion rate was 82%. In 2025, 93% of clients successfully completed their STS term. In 2026, year to date, 92% of Community Corrections’ clients have successfully completed their STS term.
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends authorization to execute JPAs with MnDOT, and the cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville and Eagan for STS programming for the period of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027.
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
The STS program is supported by county levy and revenue from participating STS partner agencies. Revenue associated with the STS program is included in the Community Corrections General Fund Budget and will be included in the 2027 County Manager’s Recommended Budget. Under the JPAs, Dakota County may receive up to $88,023 annually in 2027. This amount represents the combined not to exceed amounts authorized under the agreements. Actual revenue will vary based on the number of STS crew days utilized by participating agencies and the number of workers assigned to each crew, as the daily crew rate varies based on crew size. The 2027 planning base reflects anticipated revenue based on prior-year utilization and crew composition.
Revenue will be receipted to the Adult Work Crew program, Accounts 42127 (CWS Revenue) and 48297 (From Cities). No additional staffing is anticipated as a result of these agreements.
|
Fund |
Department |
Program |
Funding Source |
Approved Budget |
|
101 General Fund |
2130101 Community Corrections, Adult Probation |
21300133 Adult Work Crew |
County levy and revenue from participating STS partner agencies |
$61,000 |
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement - MnDOT
Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement - Cities
CONTACT
Department Director: Suwana Kirkland
Author: Danielle McNamara