Dakota County

General Government and Policy

Committee of the Whole

Minutes

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

9:30 AM

Conference Room 3A, Administration

Center, Hastings

(or following County Board)

Call to Order and Roll Call

The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Workman at 9:45 a.m.

Commissioner Mike Slavik

Present

Commissioner Joe Atkins

Commissioner Laurie Halverson

Commissioner William Droste

Commissioner Liz Workman

Commissioner Mary Liz Holberg

Commissioner Mary Hamann-Roland

Commissioner Atkins attended the meeting remotely via interactive technology.

Also in attendance were Heidi Welsch, County Manager; Tom Donely, First Assistant County

Attorney; and Jeni Reynolds, Sr. Administrative Coordinator to the Board.

The audio recording of this meeting is available upon request.

Audience

Chair Workman noted that all public comments can be sent to

CountyAdmin@co.dakota.mn.us

No comments were received for this agenda.

Approval of Agenda (Additions/Corrections/Deletions)

Motion: Mary Hamann-Roland

Ayes: 7

3.1

Second: Mike Slavik

CONSENT AGENDA

On a motion by Commissioner Hamann-Roland, seconded by Commissioner Halverson, the

Consent agenda was approved as follows:

County Administration - Approval of Minutes

Approval of Minutes of Meeting Held on October 21, 2025

4.1

Motion: Mary Hamann-Roland

Ayes: 7

Second: Laurie Halverson

County Board/County Administration

Adoption Of 2026 Merit Compensation Policy And Plan Provisions

5.1

Motion: Mary Hamann-Roland

Second: Laurie Halverson

WHEREAS, market competitive compensation and pay policy administration are

essential to effective and efficient government; and

WHEREAS, the 2025 Merit Compensation Policy and Plan provisions should be

amended for application in 2026.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby adopts the 2026 Merit Compensation Policy and Plan to

include the following provisions:

· Non-union salary ranges increased 4.25 percent above 2025 non-union

salary ranges.

· The merit matrix provides for a combination of 0.0 percent to 8.25 percent

base adjustments.

; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That participating employees’ 2026 salaries shall

be established in the context of and consistent with these provisions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Human Resources Director is hereby

authorized to update, edit and amend the 2025 Merit Compensation Policy and

Plan for application in 2026.

This item was approved and recommended for action by the Board of

Commissioners on 11/18/2025.

Ayes: 7

Adoption Of 2026 Unclassified Employees Merit Compensation Policy And Plan

5.2

Motion: Mary Hamann-Roland

Second: Laurie Halverson

WHEREAS, market competitive compensation and effective pay policy

administration are essential to effective and efficient government; and

WHEREAS, a Dakota County Pay Equity Compensation Structure has been

established; and

WHEREAS, the County maintains a process by which Elected Officials’

compensation is determined; and

WHEREAS, the Unclassified Employees’ Merit Compensation Policy and Plan

should be updated for application in 2026.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby adopts, for application in 2026, the 2026 Unclassified

Employees’ Merit Compensation Policy and Plan:

· the 2026 Pay Equity Compensation Structure recommended to the Board

of Commissioners for classified employees, applies to, and is the same

for, unclassified employees; and

· the 2026 non-union Merit Matrix provides for five levels of performance

with varying merit opportunity based upon performance levels for

classified employees is the same and applies to unclassified employees;

and

· The non-union 2026 merit matrix and salary ranges are included in the

Unclassified Employee Merit Compensation Policy and Plan document for

clarity.

; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the participants’ calendar or payroll year

2026 salaries shall be established in the context of and consistent with this Plan;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Human Resources Director is hereby

authorized to amend the 2025 Unclassified Employees Merit Compensation

Policy and Plan consistent with the above referenced 2026 provisions in Human

Resources Policies and Procedures.

This item was approved and recommended for action by the Board of

Commissioners on 11/18/2025.

Ayes: 7

REGULAR AGENDA

County Board/County Administration

Update And Introductions From Metropolitan Council

6.1

Metropolitan Council members (Mark Jenkins, Victor Obisakin, Wendy Wulff)

were present for introductions and an update. This item was on the agenda for

informational purposes only.

Information only; no action requested.

Central Operations

Discussion Of Updated Demographic-Economic Trends And Forecast And The

7.1

Program And Service Inventory

Management Analysts (Penny Anderson, Shannon Laughlin, Tim Trumpy)

presented this item and responded to questions. This item was on the agenda

for informational purposes only.

Information only; no action requested.

Environmental Legacy Fund Overview

7.2

Finance Director Will Wallo and Physical Development Director Georg Fischer

briefed this item and responded to questions. This item was on the agenda for

informational purposes only.

Information only; no action requested.

County Manager/Deputy/Director's Report

County Manager Heidi Welsch gave an update on the following:

- A budget workshop will be held on Nov. 18, 2025.

- Community Services has selected an Employment and Economic Assistance (E&EA)

Director. The new director will begin in late November.

- Elections Director Michelle Blue provided a brief update on Election Day.

Future Agenda Items

There were no suggested topics for future meetings.

10.

Adjournment

10.1

On a motion by Commissioner Slavik, seconded by Commissioner Halverson,

the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 11:48 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeni Reynolds

Sr. Administrative Coordinator to the Board