DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization For Administration, Staffing, And Support Services
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a joint powers agreement (JPA) between Dakota County and the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) for administration, staffing, and support services.
SUMMARY
The County Attorney’s Office recommends a service agreement for the various (non-legal) staffing and other services the County provides to the VRWJPO (Attachment: JPA for staffing services). Staff and other services provided to the VRWJPO from Dakota County under this agreement include the following, with their respective divisions:
Physical Development Division
o Core VRWJPO (Dakota County) staff services provided by Environmental Resources
o Physical Development Administration (includes Administrative Coordinating Services, Real Estate, Planning)
o Fleet Management
o Facilities Management
o Transportation (includes Survey)
Central Operations Division
o Finance (includes Contracts, Payroll, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Purchasing)
o Risk Management
o Information Technology (includes Geographic Information Systems)
Administration
o Human Resources
Some staff services are reimbursed monthly by the VRWJPO to Dakota County on a time and materials basis, and others are considered underlying overhead in Dakota County’s Cost Allocation Plan, which includes the value of indirect cost provided by central services to other agencies. Services reimbursed on a time and materials basis include Environmental Resources, Physical Development Administration, Survey, Transportation, and Information Technology (Geographic Information Systems only). The remaining services are included in Dakota County’s underlying overhead and include Fleet Management, Facilities Management, Finance, Risk Management, IT (non-Geographic Information Systems), and Human Resources.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff requests the County Board authorize the County Manager to execute the JPA between Dakota County and the VRWJPO for administration, staffing, and support services.
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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 Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board (VRWJPB) is governed by the joint powers agreement by and between Dakota County and Scott County dated January 21, 2025 with the counties providing staff support to the VRWJPB; and
WHEREAS, the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) has an Administrator and other staff services provided by Dakota County; and
WHEREAS, some staff services are provided as an underlying overhead cost as identified in Dakota County’s Cost Allocation Plan, whereas other staff services are provided on a time and materials basis; and
WHEREAS, the VRWJPO will reimburse Dakota County for those staff services that are provided on a time and materials basis; and
WHEREAS, the VRWJPO will provide reimbursement to Dakota County for staff services on a monthly basis; and
WHEREAS, the VRWJPB approved the service agreement for Dakota County administration, staffing, and support services at its December 4, 2025, meeting.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager to execute the joint powers agreement with the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board for administration, staffing, and support services, subject to approval by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: JPA for staffing services
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: Nikki Stewart
Author: Nikki Stewart