DEPARTMENT: Office of the County Manager
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Recognition Of Commissioner Kathleen A. Gaylord
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Recognition of Dakota County Commissioner Kathleen A. Gaylord for 20 years of service.
SUMMARY
Commissioner Gaylord’s term expires January 1, 2023, having served Dakota County with distinction for 20 years. First elected to the Dakota County Board in 2002, Commissioner Gaylord represents residents in District 2 which includes the cities of South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Sunfish Lake and Inver Grove Heights Precincts 1 and 8-10.
Commissioner Gaylord was elected to five terms on the County Board and was elected County Board Chair five times by her colleagues on the County Board (2006, 2009, 2013, 2018, 2022).
Commissioner Gaylord led efforts to strengthen the County’s financial position and successfully control County property taxes, achieve a AAA bond rating, and pay off County debt. She pushed for changes in regional transit funding, resulting in nearly $100 million for Dakota County transportation projects with no new taxes, and advocated for a new County library in South St. Paul.
In addition to her role as County Commissioner, Gaylord serves on many committees: Dakota County Community Development Agency, Chair of the Dakota County Law Library Board, Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority, Chair of the Facility Operations Advisory Committee for Thompson Park Center, Greater MSP Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors and Chair of the Minnesota Inter-County Association and the Metropolitan Council’s Transportation Advisory Board.
Commissioner Gaylord serves on the National Association of Counties (NACo) Transportation Steering Committee and served as the Vice-Chair of the NACo Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee. She has also served on the NACo Sustainability Leadership Team and the NACo Large Urban Caucus Steering Committee.
Commissioner Gaylord has Chaired numerous Regional Boards: Metropolitan Emergency Services Board, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control Board and the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging. In addition to serving on the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Board of Directors.
Commissioner Gaylord’s contributions over her 20 years of service will benefit the residents of Dakota County long beyond her tenure.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends adoption of a resolution in recognition of Commissioner Kathleen A. Gaylord’s service and contributions.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Commissioner Kathleen A. Gaylord has served as a Dakota County Commissioner for 20 years, including five years as Chair of the County Board and five years as Vice-Chair; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Gaylord represents residents of District 2, which includes the cities of South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Sunfish Lake and Inver Grove Heights Precincts 1 and 8-10; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Gaylord led efforts to strengthen the County’s financial position and successfully control County property taxes, achieve a AAA bond rating, and pay off County debt; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Gaylord pushed for changes in regional transit funding, resulting in nearly $100 million for Dakota County transportation projects with no new taxes and advocated for a new County library in South St. Paul; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Gaylord represented the County on several committees including Dakota County Community Development Agency, Chair of the Dakota County Law Library Board, Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority, Chair of the Facility Operations Advisory Committee for Thompson Park Center, Greater MSP Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors and Chair of the Minnesota Inter-County Association and the Metropolitan Council’s Transportation Advisory Board; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Gaylord serves on the National Association of Counties (NACo) Transportation Steering Committee, served as the Vice-Chair of the NACo Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Gaylord served on the NACo Sustainability Leadership Team and the NACo Large Urban Caucus Steering Committee; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Gaylord has Chaired numerous Regional Boards: Metropolitan Emergency Services Board, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control Board, the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Gaylord serves on the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Gaylord’s contributions to Dakota County will extend long beyond her tenure as County Commissioner; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Gaylord’s term of office ends January 1, 2023.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby commends and thanks Kathleen A. Gaylord for her outstanding dedication, exemplary service and long-standing commitment to Dakota County government and the citizens of Dakota County.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
BOARD GOALS
☐ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT LEVEL
☐ Inform and Listen ☐ Discuss ☐ Involve ☐ N/A
CONTACT
Department Head: Matt Smith
Author: Matt Smith