/DEPARTMENT: Employment and Economic Assistance
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Interagency Cooperative Agreement Between Minnesota Department Of Children Youth And Families, Child Support Division, And Dakota County
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of an Interagency Cooperative Agreement between the Minnesota Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF), Child Support Division and Dakota County for the Title IV-D Program.
SUMMARY
This Cooperative Agreement sets forth respective responsibilities in providing services necessary to the operation of the child support program under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, 42 United States Code (U.S.C.), sections 651 through 699b, and meets the requirements of 45 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), sections 303.107 and 302.34 (Attachment: Cooperative Agreement CY 26-27). Such services include establishing paternity and establishing, modifying, and securing financial support for minor children who are living apart from one or both parents as more fully set forth in Title IV-D of the Social Security Act program.
Title IV-D of the Social Security Act requires a Cooperative Agreement between Dakota County and other county entities that are a party to this Cooperative Agreement, namely the County Attorney and County Sheriff, in order to compensate said county entities with respect to reimbursement for costs incurred in providing services necessary to operate the child support program (Attachment: Cooperative Arrangement CY 26 - 27). The County may be reimbursed for administrative expenses incurred as a result of the activities performed under this agreement pursuant to state and federal law. The total cost of the Dakota County Child Support program in 2024 was $7,447,748.
The amount budgeted for eligible Title IV-D cases and related services provided by the County Attorney in the budget year preceding this contract was $2,399,802 and the total estimated cost for 2026 is $2,523,055 and is $2,651,731 for 2027. Staff is estimating a 5.1 percent increase to county attorney expenses for both 2026 and 2027 due to the contract negotiations that include a cost of living and merit pay increases. The amount budgeted for eligible Title IV-D cases' services provided by the County Sheriff in the budget year preceding this contract was $9,525. The total estimated cost for 2026 is $9,811, and for 2027 is $10,105. Staff is calculating the standard 3 percent increase for the sheriff expenses as these costs have remained low in previous years.
OUTCOMES
Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2024:
How much? Dakota County served 10,271 child support cases and distributed $37,964,917 in support payments.
How well? 50 percent of child support recipients never received cash public assistance, 43 percent formerly received cash assistance and 7 percent were receiving cash assistance. Dakota County performs better than the state average in program cost effectiveness (Dakota: $3.06/$1.00; State Average: $2.65/$1.00).
Is anyone better off? Of the $40,307,673 in current support due, $28,559,173 (70.85%) was distributed to families in the month due. The percentage of children in the child support caseload born out of wedlock with paternity established was 92.18 percent. The average annual child support distribution for families with a court order for support was $4,294, 23 percent more than the state average of $3,475.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to execute an Interagency Cooperative Agreement with DCYF, Child Support Division, for the period of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Expenses and revenues associated with this cooperative agreement are included in the 2026 County Manager’s Recommended Budget as part of the Employment and Economic Assistance department budget in the General Fund. These expenses are eligible for 66 percent reimbursement.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☒ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Cooperative Agreement sets forth respective responsibilities in providing services necessary to the operation of the child support program under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, 42 United States Code (U.S.C.), sections 651 through 699b, and meets the requirements of 45 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), sections 303.107 and 302.34; and
WHEREAS, such services include establishing paternity and establishing, modifying, and securing financial support for minor children who are living apart from one or both parents as more fully set forth in Title IV-D of the Social Security Act program; and
WHEREAS, Title IV-D of the Social Security Act requires a Cooperative Agreement between Dakota County and other county entities that are a party to this Cooperative Agreement, namely the County Attorney and County Sheriff, in order to compensate said county entities with respect to reimbursement for costs incurred in providing services necessary to operate the child support program; and
WHEREAS, the County may be reimbursed for administrative expenses incurred as a result of the activities performed under this agreement pursuant to state and federal law; and
WHEREAS, the total cost of the Dakota County Child Support program in 2024 was $7,447,748; and
WHEREAS, the amount budgeted for eligible Title IV-D cases and related services provided by the County Attorney in the budget year preceding this contract was $2,399,802; and
WHEREAS, the total estimated cost for 2026 is $2,523,055 and is $2,651,731 for 2027; and
WHEREAS, we are estimating a 5.1 percent increase to county attorney expenses for both 2026 to 2027 due to the contract negotiations that include a cost of living and merit pay increases; and
WHEREAS, the amount budgeted for eligible Title IV-D cases' services provided by the County Sheriff in the budget year preceding this contract was $9,525; and
WHEREAS, the total estimated cost for 2026 is $9,811, and for 2027 is $10,105; and
WHEREAS, we are calculating the standard 3 percent increase for the sheriff expenses as these costs have remained low in previous years.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes execution of a Cooperative Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Children Youth and Families for Title IV-D Services for the period of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Cooperative Agreement CY 26-27
Attachment: Cooperative Arrangement CY 26-27
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: Mark Jacobs
Author: Amy Shillings