DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Apply For And Execute State Fiscal Year 2026 - 2027 Parks And Trails Legacy Fund Grants
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the Parks Director to submit applications to the Metropolitan Council for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026 - 2027 Parks and Trails Legacy Fund (PTLF) grants and to execute the grant agreements, once awarded.
SUMMARY
In 2008, the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment was passed, funded by a three-eighths percent increase in the State sales tax over a 25-year term. Minnesota parks and trails of statewide and regional significance receive 14.25 percent of the Legacy funds. Parks and Trails Legacy Funds are legislatively allocated to the Metropolitan Council (Met Council), the Department of Natural Resources, and the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Board. The Met Council's share of the PTLF is allocated to the 10 regional park implementing agencies through grants based
on Minn. Stat. ? 85.53, subd. 3.
The 2011 State of Minnesota Parks and Trails Legacy Plan specifies four strategic directions for the use of the PTLF: 1) connect people and the outdoors (e.g., programs, marketing), 2) acquire land, create opportunities (e.g., land acquisition and capital projects), 3) take care of what we have (e.g., maintenance), and 4) coordinate among partners (e.g., collaboration).
Based on the historic 40 percent legislative appropriation to the Metropolitan Regional Park System, Dakota County is estimated to receive $4,095,681 for the SFY 2026-2027 biennium. The proposed applications for consideration have been developed with consideration to both the needs of the Dakota County Parks system and the strategic directions for the use of the PTLF.
Dakota County's proposed applications for SFY26 and SFY27 are for the following:
-Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Improvements $1,200,000 (in year 1)
-Whitetail Woods Regional Park Improvements $1,308,689 ($308,689 in year 1 a...
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