DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Housing & Community Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With Dakota County Community Development Agency For Family Voucher Administration Services
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of joint powers agreement (JPA) with Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) for family voucher administration services.
SUMMARY
In 2019, the CDA established a pilot Levy Rent Assistance Program for families, a program designed to address system flow for residents at Dakota Woodlands by providing temporary tenant-based rental assistance to eligible households until they transition to the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The CDA program sunset in June 2022. Due to the success of the pilot program, long waitlists for shelter, and stagnation in flow out of shelter, Dakota County Social Services proposed utilizing the new Local Affordable Housing Aid funding to relaunch a Family Housing Voucher Program. By Resolution No. 23-574 (December 19, 2023), the County Board authorized restarting the Family Voucher Program, formerly known as the CDA Levy Rent Assistance Program with funding from Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA).
Dakota County Social Services has previously contracted with the CDA to act as the rental assistance administrator for the program. The CDA has succeeded as a vendor in this capacity. Under Minn. Stat. §471.59, subd.1, two or more governmental units may enter into an agreement to cooperatively exercise any power common to the contracting Parties, and one of the participating governmental units may exercise one of its powers on behalf of the other governmental units. Therefore, staff is requesting to enter into a JPA (Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement) with Dakota County CDA for family voucher administrative services in an amount not to exceed $1,225,000 for the period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027.
Dakota County CDA served 29 households in 2025 and plans to increase households served to 34 per year in the next contract period. This is a 22 percent increase in the amount of $225,000 additional dollars in the two-year contract period.
OUTCOMES
Attachment: Outcomes
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to execute a JPA with Dakota County CDA family voucher program administration services in a not to exceed amount of $1,225,000.00 for the period of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Funding for this JPA will be included in the 2026 County Manager’s Recommended Budget funded by LAHA. It will contain a provision that allows the County to terminate the agreement immediately in the event that sufficient funds from the county, state, or federal funds are no longer available at a level sufficient to continue services.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☒ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, in 2019, the Community Development Agency (CDA) established a pilot Levy Rent Assistance Program for families, a program designed to address system flow for residents at Dakota Woodlands by providing temporary tenant-based rental assistance to eligible households until they transition to the Housing Choice Voucher Program; and
WHEREAS, the CDA program sunset in June 2022 and due to the success of the pilot program, long waitlists for shelter and stagnation in flow out of shelter, Dakota County Social Services proposed utilizing the new Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) funding to relaunch a Family Housing Voucher Program; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 23-574 (December 19, 2023), the County Board authorized restarting the Family Voucher Program, formerly known as the CDA Levy Rent Assistance Program with funding from LAHA; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County Social Services has previously contracted with the CDA to act as the rental assistance administrator for the program; and
WHEREAS, the CDA has succeeded as a vendor in this capacity; and
WHEREAS, under Minn. Stat. §471.59, subd.1, two or more governmental units may enter into an agreement to cooperatively exercise any power common to the contracting Parties, and one of the participating governmental units may exercise one of its powers on behalf of the other governmental units; and
WHEREAS, staff is requesting to enter into a joint powers agreement (JPA) with Dakota County CDA for family voucher administrative services in an amount not to exceed $1,225,000 for the period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County CDA served 29 households in 2025 and plans to increase households served to 34 per year in the next contract period; and
WHEREAS, this is a 22 percent increase in the amount of $225,000 additional dollars in the two-year contract period.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute a joint powers agreement with Dakota County Community Development Agency for family voucher administration services in a not to exceed amount of $1,225,000 for the period of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement
Attachment: Outcomes
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Emily Schug
Author: Madeline Kastler