DEPARTMENT: Community Services Administration
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Grant Agreement With Legal Assistance Of Dakota County, Ltd.
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a grant agreement with Legal Assistance of Dakota County, Ltd., (LADC) to fund legal assistance services.
SUMMARY
LADC is a non-profit agency that provides legal assistance services using both staff and volunteer attorneys. The target service population is income-eligible adult residents of Dakota County who are unable to afford representation in non-fee generating civil legal issues. The services support Dakota County residents with appropriate use of the legal system to maintain or improve stability in their lives. Provided legal services focus on family law matters including, but not limited to, divorce, domestic abuse, child custody or visitation rights, and child support.
Dakota County has consistently funded these services since 2007. In 2015, a 50 percent reduction to the contract amount occurred. Since then, minor inflationary adjustments have been periodically applied to this contract, averaging 1.0 percent annually over that 10-year period (Attachment: Expenditures). While the County is not mandated to provide or fund these services, funding of these services helps prevent the need for more costly services and improves access to existing services. Appropriating County funds to a non-profit to provide legal assistance to persons who are unable to afford private legal counsel is authorized by Minn. Stat. § 375.167.
OUTCOMES
The following data reflects outcomes achieved in 2024, the most recent full calendar year that outcome data is available:
• 98 percent of clients who received extended representation from LADC reported an improved quality of life at the end of the service.
• 100 percent of clients who received extended representation from LADC reported they felt safer at the end of the service.
• LADC recovered or protected approximately $305,627 in money or benefits on behalf of clients.
• The total number of people in households served for all closed cases by LADC in 2024 was 3838.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to execute a grant agreement with LADC in an amount not to exceed $70,995 for the period of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Sufficient funding is included in the 2026 Adopted Budget for this grant. This agreement is funded with levy and included in the Office of the County Manager’s department budget in the General Fund. The grant agreement will contain a provision that allows the County to immediately terminate the grant in the event sufficient funds from county, state, or federal sources are not appropriated at a level sufficient to allow payment of the amount due.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Legal Assistance of Dakota County, Ltd., (LADC) is a non-profit agency that provides legal assistance services using both staff and volunteer attorneys; and
WHEREAS, the target population for these services is income-eligible adult residents of Dakota County who are unable to afford representation in non-fee generating civil legal issues; and
WHEREAS, the services support Dakota County residents with appropriate use of the legal system to maintain or improve stability in their lives; and
WHEREAS, legal services provided focus on family law problems, including, but not limited to, divorce, domestic abuse, establishing or defending child custody or visitation rights, and assistance with child support; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County has consistently funded these services since 2007; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, a 50 percent reduction to the contract amount occurred; and
WHEREAS, since then, minor inflationary adjustments have been periodically applied to this contract, averaging 1.0 percent annually over that 10-year period; and
WHEREAS, while the County is not mandated to provide or fund these services, funding of these services helps prevent the need for more costly services and improves access to existing services; and
WHEREAS, appropriating County funds to a non-profit to provide legal assistance to persons who are unable to afford private legal counsel is authorized by Minn. Stat. § 375.167.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute a grant agreement with Legal Assistance of Dakota County, Ltd., in an amount not to exceed $70,995 for the period of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the grant agreement shall contain a provision that allows the County to immediately terminate the grant agreement in the event sufficient funds from county, state, or federal sources are not appropriated at a level sufficient to allow payment of the amount due.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Expenditures.
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: Gilbert Acevedo
Author: Gilbert Acevedo