DEPARTMENT: Central Operations Administration
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Approval Of Amended Bylaws For Dakota County Disability Advisory Council
end
PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Approve amendments to the bylaws for the Dakota County Disability Advisory Council (DAC).
SUMMARY
In January 2024, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners (Board) authorized the creation of the DAC (Resolution No. 24-038). The DAC offers individuals, parents, families, businesses, and community service providers the opportunity to make a difference in how disability access and services are provided in their community. In January 2025, the Board approved the bylaws for the DAC, which prescribed the rules by which the committee will conduct its business (Resolution No. 25-094).
On February 11, 2026, the Disability Advisory Council approved recommending amended bylaws to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners to incorporate changes identified after one year of operation to better align with the council’s purpose and functionality.
The recommended changes include:
• Revising its membership structure to allow a flexible range of 15 to 25 members and removing the requirement for a specific number of seats tied to each designated category. With a goal of broad representation across the membership categories in the bylaws, but with a strong emphasis on membership from people with disabilities and self-advocates.
• Shifting to a six-meeting-per-year minimum schedule to allow staff to use limited capacity more effectively while ensuring the Council’s work continues to advance between meetings through planning, coordination, and follow-up. Fewer meetings also respect Council members’ time by focusing agendas on meaningful discussion and actionable outcomes.
• Establishing a 50 percent plus one quorum reflects best practices for advisory bodies and ensures the Council can reliably conduct business despite vacancies and typical attendance variability.
Staff will continue to work with County Commissioners throughout the year to actively recruit and appoint members to fill open roster seats, strengthening representation and long-term participation.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the amended bylaws for the DAC as outlined in the attached draft.
end
EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-038 (January 23, 2024), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners (Board) authorized the creation of the Dakota County Disability Advisory Council (DAC); and
WHEREAS, the DAC offers individuals, parents, families, businesses, and community service providers the opportunity to make a difference in how disability access and services are provided in their community; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 25-094 (January 31, 2025), the Board approved the bylaws for the DAC, which prescribed the rules by which the committee will conduct its business; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends revision of the membership structure to allow a flexible range of 15 to 25 members and remove the requirement for a specific number of seats tied to each designated category; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends shifting to a six-meeting-per-year minimum schedule; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends establishing a 50 percent plus one quorum, which reflects best practices for advisory bodies and ensures the Council can reliably conduct business despite vacancies and typical attendance variability.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby amends Resolution No. 24-038, to allow the Disability Advisory Council to meet every other month; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the proposed amendments to the bylaws for the Dakota County Disability Advisory Council.
end
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
24-038; 1/23/24
25-094; 1/31/25
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Bylaws for the Dakota County Disability Advisory Council
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: Jessie Parker Carlson
Author: Jessica Johnson