DEPARTMENT: Human Resources
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
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Recognition Of HEROES And IDEA Leadership Award Recipients
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Recognize finalists for the HEROES Collaboration Award and announce the winners for the IDEA Leadership Award - Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access Leadership Awards.
SUMMARY
Dakota County Board of Commissioners annually designates a day to recognize finalists for the HEROES Collaboration Award and winners of the IDEA Leadership Award are recognized.
1. The HEROES (Honoring Effective Responsive Outstanding Efficient Service) Awards recognize the collaborative efforts of employee groups at Dakota County in 2025. The awards acknowledge groups who pursue our Mission of “Efficient, Effective, Responsive government” utilizing innovative and creative ways to approach the work we do to serve and connect with our customers and the public. Awards will be presented to employees to recognize them in their role in one of three final nominations for the HEROES Collaboration Award.
2. The IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access) Leadership Awards. The purpose of the awards is to recognize the outstanding efforts of staff at the County who are working to make Dakota County a more inclusive, diverse, accessible and equitable organization. There are two award categories - individual and group.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends approval.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Costs associated with Employee Recognition are included in the 2026 Adopted Budget as part of the Human Resources Department and are funded by levy.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners annually designates a day to recognize finalists for the HEROES Collaboration Award and winners of the IDEA Leadership Awards are recognized; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County recognizes outstanding collaborations through the HEROES (Honoring Effective Responsive Outstanding Efficient Service) Awards to recognize employee groups who demonstrate the County's mission of "Efficient, Effective, Responsive government" to implement innovative and creative methods for serving customers and the public; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County recognizes the outstanding efforts of staff at the County who are working to make Dakota County a more inclusive, diverse, accessible and equitable organization through the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access) Leadership Awards.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby recognizes the following employees and presents them with HEROES Awards for outstanding collaboration achievements in their service to Dakota County in 2025:
Employment and Economic Assistance Model Redesign:
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Ahtasham Alvi |
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Alyssa Erickson |
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Amanda Conroy |
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Amanda Nielsen |
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Amy Schillings |
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Amy Syfko |
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Andy Fink |
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Angie Burrows |
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Beth Bisciglia |
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Brenda Bidwell |
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Christina Lundgren |
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Chrystal Hovaldt |
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Cory Dorfing |
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Dana DeMaster |
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Greg Wisher |
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Hoang Ton |
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Jessica Strydom |
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Julie Glisky |
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Lynn Carr |
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Mark Jacobs |
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Marti Fischbach |
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Mikayla Anderson |
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Nate Lundin |
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Paul Hanton |
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Rachel Mickus |
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Rachel Simmer |
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Robyn Roberts |
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Sam Gelhorn |
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Samantha Levine |
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Scott Jara |
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Tiffinie Miller |
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Tonya McGregor |
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Tristan Skoglund |
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Wesley Nguyen |
All-Terrain Track Chair Program:
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Adam Montain |
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Alyssa Riggs |
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Bart Pritchett |
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Beth Koch |
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Beth Landahl |
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Brian Smidt |
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Carrie Larson |
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Grant Fleetwood |
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Greg Leonard |
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Greg Wisher |
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Jeanine Salute |
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Jessica Johnson |
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Jon Reiners |
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Kaare Kvenild |
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Katie Pata |
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Kaylene Brink |
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Kevin Schlangen |
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Mike Longaecker |
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Nick Pederson |
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Randy Cunningham |
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Shannon Coyne |
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Sky Jarvi |
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Troy Mallat |
Library Locations as Community Health Hubs:
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Alex Groten |
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Alexander Adrian |
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Amanda Feist |
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Andrew Cook |
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Anne Freiderichs |
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April Bayerkohler |
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Ashley Briggs |
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Beth Unten |
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Betsy Cutts |
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Betsy Lundmark |
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Carrie Klun |
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Claire Gabler |
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Colleen Hardy |
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Cristy Treat |
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Debbie Snyder |
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Debra Bifulk |
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Diane Podolske |
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DJ Schuette |
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Erin Carder |
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Erin Holl |
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Gerald Erickson |
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Hannah Heinicke |
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Holly Carlson |
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Honora Rodriguez |
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James Johnson Jr. |
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Jennifer Reichert Simpson |
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Jessica Zmira |
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Kallie Schell |
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Karen Mackey |
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Kassy Podvin |
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Katie Galloway |
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Kelly Reader |
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Laura Miller |
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Leslie Foster-Huot |
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Lisa Guck |
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Marguerite Zauner |
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Matt Giljahn |
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Matt Neer |
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Maureen Quam |
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Melissa Pond-Benesh |
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Natalie Fiscus |
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Natalie Vasilj |
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Nataliya Bakunina |
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Nicole Schmiesing |
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Sarah Connolly |
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Stacy Price |
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Suela Bace |
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Terri Rau |
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Terry Rumpza |
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Tori Streeter |
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Victoria Streeter |
; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby recognizes the following employees and presents them with IDEA Leadership Awards for working to make Dakota County a more inclusive, diverse, accessible and equitable organization in 2025:
IDEA Group Leadership Award - Dakota County Libraries Adult Libraries Services Team
Members: Holly Carlson, Matt Neer, Jerry Erickson, Erin Holl, Melissa Pond-Benesh, Alexandre Adrian, Deborah Bifulk, Sarah Connolly, Betsy Cutts, Stacy Price, Barb Svoboda
IDEA Individual Leadership Award
Dua Thao - Youth Program and Outreach Coordinator, Libraries
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
25-111; 2/18/25
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
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: Andy Benish
Author: Andy Benish