Dakota County Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2016

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Dakota County Board of Commissioners Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55 Hastings, MN 55033-2372

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Performance Issue 2016 county newsletter

spring/summer 2016

We all want the best value. Serving as a steward of Dakota County tax dollars is a major responsibility and privilege entrusted to us, and we work to ensure you receive the most value for your tax dollars. We are pleased to report that in 2016 Dakota County will maintain the metro area’s lowest tax rate and Minnesota’s lowest County property tax per capita. As part of this commitment to fiscal excellence, we also retired the last $23.9 million in bonds in February 2016, which means Dakota County has no County-issued debt — a rarity in Minnesota and the United States. Our low tax rate and debt-free status are the result of prudent, long-term planning; you can count on that to continue for the long-term well-being of Dakota County and its residents.

Contents Feature

No Trade-offs Page 26 In Dakota County, we establish goals and work hard to achieve them.

We are constantly looking for ways to provide high-quality, low-cost services to taxpayers.

D E PA R T M E N T S

Page 3

Page 7

Page 11

Page 15

Page 23

IN BRIEF

OUR WORK

COMMUNITY

PARKS

GO GREEN

From teaching kids how to read to introducing new digital toys for kids of all ages, the Library is working hard to deliver what residents need and want.

When children must go into foster care, staying with family or people they already know is always better, so we do our best to make that happen.

When Dakota County launched its new volunteer program, we had no way of knowing our residents would deliver more than 25,000 hours in the first year.

Our natural resources are important and shouldn’t be taken for granted. That’s why we’re putting a priority on restoring them in our parks.

More paper items are recyclable than you may realize. Give new life to milk cartons, juice boxes, cardboard and junk mail by recycling them at the curb.

2 | www.dakotacounty.us | spring/summer 2016

3 RAISE A READER 5 DRIVING DISTRACTED 6 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Getting kids on the right path RAISE A READER PROGRAM GETS KIDS INTO THE LIBRARY

R

eading is a fundamental skill that can put your child on the road to success. And with school curriculum more advanced than ever, it’s important to have your child ready to learn to read by the time they are entering kindergarten.

spring/summer 2016 | www.dakotacounty.us |

3

In Brief | Raise a Reader

D

akota County Library launched the Raise a Reader campaign in 2015 to educate parents and caregivers on the important role libraries can play in childhood development — a role that includes not only books, but also online resources, storytimes, and music and theatre programs.

The campaign included special programs for adults and caregivers that teach the importance of the five practices — reading, talking, singing, playing and writing — to develop the necessary skills kids need to get ready to read and an amnesty program that waived fines on accounts of library users age 18 years and younger.

All of these were designed to eliminate barriers and increase the use of libraries by youth — it worked.

During the amnesty period held in February 2015, there was a 28-percent increase in circulation of youth materials compared to February 2014.

From March–October 2015, there was an 8-percent increase in youth material circulation over the same time span a year earlier while overall circulation was slightly down from the year before.

The amnesty program involved 5,108 Dakota County youth and resulted in the waiving of $28,597 in fines. Those 5,108 kids accounted for 33 percent of all youth circulation in February 2015.

The Library continues its commitment to child literacy by adding Playaway Launchpads to its collection.

These tablets designed especially for kids offer hours of interactive learning and play to help your child master reading as well as a number of other subjects. Launchpads will be available at all Dakota County Library locations

by April 2016.

Living in the digital age Smartphones and tablets are changing the way libraries do business While paper books and materials are still important, the demand for digital items is increasing rapidly. And, the Dakota County Library is doing its best to keep up by offering a variety of services like 3M Cloud Library, OneClick Digital, OverDrive, EBSCO E-Books and Zinio.

Comparing 2013 to 2015, e-book check outs are up more than 138 percent (147,985 to 352,874), and audio e-books are up more than 186 percent (20,334 to 58,182). During the same span, the use of e-magazines has decreased about 28 percent (79,864 to 57,315) as Dakota County Library’s e-magazine service, Zinio, made changes to its services.

This data is helping Dakota County

Library track the changing needs of residents and adjust offerings to meet those shifting demands. From 2013 to 2015, the Library increased its digital collection by more than 36 percent.

In 2016, Dakota County Library launched a new digital resource called Hoopla. The online service allows you to watch streaming videos or listen to streaming audio on your computer, or you can download to your mobile device to enjoy later. The Hoopla collection includes videos, audio and e-books, music CDs and comic books.

The service allows you to borrow up to five titles each calendar month without wait lists — the items are always available.

LIBRARY DIGITAL CHECKOUT TOTALS

2013

2014

147,985

294,391

2015 352,874

E-Books

34,941 20,334

www.dakotacounty.us, search raise a reader

4 | www.dakotacounty.us | spring/summer 2016

78,864

E-Magazines

58,182

+186%

Audio E-Books

Youth resource check outs compared to prior year

+138%

62,752

57,315

-28%

In Brief | Driving Distracted

One text or call could wreck it all Distracted driving remains a dangerous problem on our roads Distracted driving — we’ve seen the commercials, heard the campaigns, and talked to our children and family about putting down the phone, yet the problem persists.

Distracted driving continues to be the leading cause of all injury and property damage crashes in Minnesota and is more often a factor in deadly accidents than alcohol. In 2014, it contributed to 61 deaths and more than 7,000 injuries in Minnesota.

Whether it’s banking, social media, email, calendars or good old-fashioned phone calls, smartphones are everywhere, and we use them for everything. We’ve become so used to checking our phones that we often don’t think twice about doing it while we’re driving. Did you know that composing, reading or sending electronic messages while driving is illegal in Minnesota, even while waiting at a traffic signal or stop sign? It has been since 2008.

Dakota County deputies see it all when on patrol — texting, adjusting the radio, eating or putting on makeup — it’s all considered distracted driving and it’s all dangerous. It’s a constant problem and more prevalent today than ever.

In 2012, 27 crashes were attributed to distracted driving in Dakota County, with 28 in 2013, 25 in 2014, and 27 in 2015. You’re not alone if these num-

bers seem low. They are. It’s because County data doesn’t include those areas patrolled by city police departments. These numbers include only roads patrolled by the County Sheriff’s Office. The numbers aren’t going up, but they aren’t going down. That means people are continuing to drive while distracted despite the warnings and compromising the safety of our roads.

Technology isn’t the only problem either. In 2015, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety sponsored the first-ever Minnesota Distracted Driving Survey — a real-time visual survey that observed drivers. The results were unnerving. Of the drivers observed, 29 percent were driving while distracted with top causes being rear passenger interaction, cell phone handling, cell phone conversation, eating and smoking.

It’s time we be smart with our smartphones and all other distractions while driving. When you get behind the wheel, get rid of driving distractions.

Distracted driving crashes Number of crashes attributed to distracted driving on Countypatrolled roads

2012 2013 2014 2015

spring/summer 2016 | www.dakotacounty.us |

5

In Brief | Dates for Your Diary

Plan on it

April 23

What’s on tap this spring and summer

Celebrate children’s literacy and reading from 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at the Wentworth Library. Each child receives a free book.

April¬June 15 Simple Steps

Make walking a part of your daily routine and enjoy a healthier life through the Simple Steps Walking Program.

Free. www.dakotacounty.us, search Simple Steps.

April¬September HHW Drop-offs

Safely dispose of household waste for free. www.dakotacounty.us, search HHW events.

• Saturday, April 30, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Cal Ruedy Public Works Building 1225 Progress Dr., Hastings • Saturday, May 7, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Lakeville Central Maintenance Facili ty, 7570 179th St. W., Lakeville • Saturday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Farmington Maintenance Facility 19650 Municipal Dr., Farmington

April 6¬May 11

Master Recycler/Composter Master the basics of waste reduction, recycling and composting, Wednesdays, 6–9 p.m. www.dakotacounty.us, search Master Recycler.

El Día de los Niños/Libros

May

Silver Teas

Construction updates

Join us for programs especially for folks age 55 and older. www.dakotacounty. us/library, search Silver Teas.

www.dakotacounty.us, search road construction

June 6¬August 13

Spring¬Fall

Summer Reading Experience Infants to teens entering grade 12 can sign up to read books and win prizes at the Library. www.dakotacounty.us/ library, search summer reading.

Highway 52/County Road 86 Install interchange and reconstruct County Road 86 east to the Goodhue County line in Randolph and Hampton townships.

June 12

County Road 9

Introduce kids to knot tying, casting, baiting a hook and pier fishing. Free.

Come anytime noon–3 p.m. See Parks Program & Events guide in this newsletter for more information.

County Road 31

Take a Kid Fishing

July 21

Antique Appraisal Get antiques appraised by expert Mark Moran from 4–7 p.m. at the Pleasant Hill Library. One per person. Spectators welcome. Participants register at www.dakotacounty.us/library, search programs.

April 18¬24

Earth Week Clean Up Help spring-clean Lebanon Hills Regional Park anytime 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Trash bags and gloves provided. See Parks Program & Events guide in this newsletter for more information.

April 21

Club Book presents J.A. Jance Meet J.A. Jance, New York Times best-selling mystery author, at the Galaxie Library from 7–8 p.m.

6 | www.dakotacounty.us | spring/summer 2016

End of an era

Reconstruct County Road 9 (Dodd Blvd.) to a 4-lane divided roadway from 185th St. to 194th St. and install a traffic signal at the 185th St. intersection.

Reconfigure the intersections of County Road 31 (Pilot Knob Road) at Marice Dr. and Norwest Ct., provide a connection to nearby new development, and add a third southbound lane through the County Road 28 (Yankee Doodle Road) intersection.

Brandt Richardson will retire in May after 24 years as County Manager. Richardson helped the County become one of the best in the state by focusing on fiscal responsibility and being accountable to residents.

His legacy includes investments in infrastructure, substantial service improvements and environmental stewardship. One of Richardson’s final achievements includes helping the County become debt free, a position envied across the nation.

7 OUT OF HOME PLACEMENT 10 ONE-DAY DWI PROGRAM

Helping children in need INTEGRATED APPROACH REDUCES FOSTER CARE RATE

D

akota County cares about children, their safety and their emotional health. In a typical year, about 300 Dakota County children experience foster care, whether for a single day or for the year.

A child’s foster care experience is most frequently due to child abuse or neglect concerns.

spring/summer 2016 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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Our Work | Out of Home Placement

A

small percentage of children in foster care are there for mental health recovery or for treatment of their developmental or intellectual disabilities. In Minnesota, children can only be placed in foster care through voluntary agreements with their parents or involuntarily by the court or law enforcement when children are in danger. Foster care is sometimes the best or even the only choice in very unsafe situations.

Foster care is reserved for only very unsafe situations because foster care itself, as research shows, can create difficulty for children. Research from the University of Minnesota found that children who spend time in unfamiliar foster care have more behavior and emotional problems than children who are in foster care with people they know or even than children who remain with their parents in spite of abuse or neglect.

Child welfare research shows that avoiding foster care when possible is best, but if children must go into foster care, staying with familiar adults is the next best thing.

Avoiding foster care requires immediate planning in order to address a child’s safety. Sometimes law enforcement is able to remove the danger rather than removing the child.

For example, sometimes the arrest of a dangerous person avoids foster care for children. Similarly, if a home setting is unsafe, sometimes finding an alternate location for a family to remain together removes the danger.

Dakota County has an around-theclock Crisis Response Unit that can assist families and law enforcement in planning a safe option for children.

This might mean access to immediate mental health care; it may mean helping families brainstorm names of relatives or friends who can help

address immediate needs. The Crisis Response Unit can react to the emergency, and once the crisis is managed, it can refer to services that help address the underlying causes.

Services are important. When a family has had difficulties and needs county intervention, services may help lessen troubles to avoid future crises. We provide for a range of mental health, chemical health, parenting and child development services as well as having access to services for basic needs. Getting families the support they need reduces the likelihood of future reports or future foster care.

We are committed to the safety and health of children. When made aware of a report of possible child endangerment, we work to mitigate the situation as quickly as possible. One way we track our progress is by monitoring how many potential endangerment cases are reported within six months and achieving a rate of re-reported cases that is below the state average.

We are also careful to only return children in foster care to their homes when we are confident they will be safe. We track success by looking at how many children have to be placed back in foster care within one year following their return home. By this measure, we are again doing better than the state average.

Supporting children and families is a community effort that helps keep children on track, assists families in the difficult work of parenting, and bolsters our county as a community where children have the best chance to be healthy and safe. Our communities share the credit for strong outcomes keeping children with their families.

8 | www.dakotacounty.us | spring/summer 2016

...if children must go into foster care, staying with familiar adults is the next best thing.

No run around with roundabouts www.dakotacounty.us, search roundabouts

R

Foster care re-entry Number of children re-entering foster care within 12 months of leaving

YEAR

Total

Re-enter

% Reentered

2008

178

38

21%

2009

189

33

18%

2010

151

26

17%

2011

146

18

12%

2012

171

22

13%

2013

151

33

22%

2014

126

24

19%

2015

107

13

12%

oundabouts are a transportation innovation that are here to stay for one simple reason — they’re highly effective.

The circular intersections where traffic flows around a center island reduce fatalities and injuries as well as improve traffic flow, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Now, there’s data to prove it in Dakota County.

There are currently nine roundabouts involving Dakota County roadways — three on state and county road intersections and six more on county-county or county-city road intersections. The newest is the multi-lane roundabout at County Road 50 and County Road 60 in Lakeville, which opened last summer.

While most roundabouts in the County are still too new to get reliable data, we do have information from the roundabout at County Road 30 (Diffley Road) and Rahn Road in Eagan, completed in 2008.

From 2012–2014, there were 26 crashes at the intersection for a crash rate of one crash per million vehicles entering the intersection.

RO UN DAB O UTS

Comparable intersections with traffic signals have, on average, 0.41 crashes per million vehicles.

The number of crashes at a roundabout is higher than what would be expected with a signal, but the real benefit is severity of those crashes is significantly less. In those 26 vehicle crashes at County Road 30 and Rahn Road, none resulted in injury. On average, 30–40 percent of crashes at signals result in injuries. Reducing severe crashes means everyone using this intersection is safer.

Traffic flow has also increased.

Average delays at the County Road 30 and Rahn Road intersection, which was a four-way stop intersection, were about 17 seconds during the afternoon rush hour prior to the roundabout. Now, the average delay is about three seconds.

SI GN AL I N T E RS ECTIONS

26

0

30-40

Crashes from 2012–2014

Resulted in injury

Crashes at signals that result in injury

spring/summer 2016 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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Our Work | One-day DWI Program

Lessons learned New program results in lower DWI probation violations

E

ach year, hundreds of people are charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Dakota County.

Many are repeat offenders. But for those who are charged with their first DWI, the One-Day DWI Program can increase the success rate of fulfilling the court-ordered requirements — resulting in fewer probation violations and savings in staff time and taxpayer dollars.

The One-Day DWI Program is targeted to DWI offenders who used alcohol or a controlled substance, got behind the wheel, and were ticketed for DWI for the first time within the past 10 years. The program combines multiple court-ordered requirements — a self-assessment, education on the laws

and effects of alcohol abuse, cognitive behavioral group work, and a victim impact panel — that are normally accomplished in multiple sessions into a one-day program.

The goals of the program are to increase the number of offenders who successfully complete their court-ordered probation requirements and to reduce the number of re-offenders. The program was implemented in 2011 and tracks offenders for two years.

Thus far, the program has had positive outcomes. In 2012, 409 offenders participated in the program, and after the two-year tracking cycle, 81 percent successfully completed the overall program requirements with no probation violations or new DWI offenses — a

success rate that’s up from the previous 58 percent in 2011 and 63 percent in 2010.

The number of court-ordered probation violations under the new One-Day DWI program in 2012 was down 76 percent compared to 2010 and 81 percent compared to 2011. Fewer probation violations means less intervention by a probation officer and less court time are needed — resulting in lower cost to taxpayers — without increasing the rate of reoffending.

2010

2011

2012 One-Day DWI

385

368

409

Technical Probation Violation

83 (21%)

107 (29%)

20 (5%)

New DWI Offenses Charged

36 (9%)

29 (8%)

33 (8%)

New DWI Offense Convictions

24 (6%)

20 (5%)

24 (6%)

Total Offenders

10 | www.dakotacounty.us | spring/summer 2016

11 THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEERING 14 SAVING TIME AND MONEY

volunteer Valuable volunteers A YEAR OF NEW BEGINNINGS AND BIG SUCCESSES

W

e live in a great county, and the greatest thing about it is its residents.

When Dakota County launched its new volunteer program in June 2015, we had no way of knowing how people would respond, but hundreds of people stepped up.

spring/summer 2016 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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Community | The Value of Volunteering

J

ust five months after the launch, Dakota County had more than 1,000 volunteers. Of those, more than 50 percent gave at least two hours of volunteer service.

Volunteering is the ultimate winwin. It benefits our communities and our volunteers. Volunteers tell us they enjoy their time supporting Dakota County. On a 10-point scale, with 10 being best, our program currently is rated 8.5 by our volunteers in delivering a program that’s fun, well-organized and engaging.

Best of all is just how much of an impact our volunteers have had so far.

And all of us who live in Dakota County benefit from their contributions. By the end of 2015, volunteers contributed more than 25,000 hours of time, which saved the County more than $590,000 in taxpayer dollars. Kudos to all our volunteers.

Sometimes numbers alone can’t express the power of our volunteers’ work. For example, last fall volunteers helped pick more than 95,000 seeds of a rare native plant called arrowhead rattlebox (Crotalaria sagittalis) at one of our regional parks. These seeds can cost more than $400 a pound.

This seed collection will help Dakota County Parks reestablish beneficial native prairies in our parks. Because the seed was harvested from plants grown locally, it’s had centuries for natural selection to produce strong seeds that will have a good chance of survival — making these seeds, in a sense, “priceless.” These plants will provide beauty and sustainability in Dakota County for generations to come.

We run the gamut when it comes to volunteering — from helping the elderly stay in their homes longer to working in one of our beautiful parks, assisting at an event to helping out at a county library, picking up trash along a roadway to making a difference in the life of someone who took a wrong turn. There’s a wide range of opportunities to pique an array of interests, so anyone can get involved. No matter what you choose, you’ll be building a better community. So go ahead, pick your passion, have fun and help to make Dakota County one of the best places to live, work and play.

Be more.

Do good.

Volunteer.

Looking to lend a hand?

We’d be happy to have you! www.dakotacounty.us search volunteers

12 | www.dakotacounty.us | spring/summer 2016

2015 Volunteer Value

Number of volunteers

Volunteer hours

Get your feet wet Volunteer with WHEP www.dakotacounty.us, search WHEP

W

etlands play an important role in Minnesota’s ecological health. Even if you live in the metro area, you probably pass by wetlands every day. Get your feet wet, literally, and help keep our wetlands healthy by collecting valuable information about wetlands in your community through the Dakota County Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP).

In June and July each year, volunteers work in an assigned wetland to identify plants and bugs living there, so they can help professionals and communities monitor and maintain the wetland’s health.

Once the samples are collected and data is recorded, volunteers head to the lab to help identify and count specimens using microscopes and magnifying glasses to determine wetland vitality.

The work doesn’t require any special experience. Volunteers attend a short training beforehand,

learning everything they need to know to conduct the inventories.

Equipment is provided along with support in following the sampling techniques developed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Numerous wetlands are evaluated in Dakota County each year, and each volunteer spends 10–30 hours collecting samples and documenting results.

The information collected has real value. Dakota County assembles the data for analysis by an ecologist and provides a report to participating cities for their use in development decisions and wetland protection efforts.

Past volunteers describe WHEP as a great experience that deepens their understanding of wetland ecology and the impacts urban development can have on wetland health.

Join volunteers across Dakota County in exploring this unique and valuable experience.

Tax dollars saved

spring/summer 2016 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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Community | Saving Time and Money

County business made easy Using online services to simplify and save time www.dakotacounty.us

D

akota County’s mission is to provide efficient, effective, responsive government that works toward making our County a premier place in which to live and work. One way to do this is by making it easier and more convenient for residents to do business with the County any time of the day.

Last September, the County adopted a new, streamlined way to submit homestead applications — doing it online. That means, you no longer have to take time out of your day to go to County offices or to pay for postage to submit your homestead application.

Instead, we’re coming to you 24/7.

Thus far, it’s proven to be very popular with an average of 33 percent, submitted online over the first five months.

This new process is not only simpler and more convenient for residents, but it also provides benefits to the County.

Staff are able to process electronic applications 60 percent faster than paper versions. Every e-homestead application saves approximately three minutes, which translates to almost 70 staff hours saved in the first five

months alone.

Technology is also helping us save money on two separate tax-related mailings each year. The County has an electronic notification program giving residents the option of receiving their Property Tax Statement and Notice of Valuation, sent in March, and their Proposed Tax Notice, sent in November, as e-notices.

In 2013, Dakota County sent 2,565 e-notices — in place of paper copies — to Dakota County residents. By the end of 2015, a total of 5,393 e-notices were issued, representing an increase of 110 percent. This growth is a good start, but when compared to the 155,000 total parcels in Dakota County, we’ve got a long way to go.

Take advantage of doing your County business when it’s convenient for you. File your homestead application or sign up to get your property tax information electronically. You can even pay your property taxes online — no need to mail or deliver a last-minute check again.

Homestead applications submitted online

09/2015 10/2015 11/2015 12/2015 01/2016

14 | www.dakotacounty.us | spring/summer 2016

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

www.dakotacounty.us/parks

YourParks SPRING SUMME R

2016

IMPORTANT TO OUR VERY EXISTENCE • TAKE A KID FISHING • STARWATCH WITH MIKE LYNCH • MUSIC IN THE PARK

NATURE PLAY

CAMPS FOR KIDS

PARENT CHILD PROGRAMS

SCOUTS

FOREVER WILD FAMILY FRIDAYS

REST RING UR NATURAL RES URCES You may not think restoring natural resources in Dakota County is important, but you should www.dakotacounty.us/parks

N

atural resources are soil, water, air, plants, animals and everything that is not made by human hands. We often take them for granted because we don’t realize how important they are to our very existence.

In fact, all living things depend on natural resources to sustain life itself.

Natural resources clean and filter our drinking water and provide the oxygen we need to breathe. Managed natural resources stabilize and build fertile soil, so we can grow fruits and vegetables to eat. Research also shows that those who have contact with nature can better deal with stress and lower their heart rate, which can lead to a longer, healthier life.

Natural resources help make the world around us safer and healthier.

Wetlands hold and slowly release water to reduce the severity of floods.

Natural resources decompose and rid the landscape of animal and plant waste to keep our environment clean.

They help keep sediment out of our lakes and streams, and reduce toxic carbon dioxide gases in our atmosphere.

Natural resources also improve our quality of life. They add beauty to the landscape with flowers and trees.

They supply habitat for trout, eagles, deer, honey bees and millions of other creatures that keep our environment in balance. They offer opportunities for recreation like hunting, birding, canoe-

ing and swimming. They contribute to community character and add a desirable quality that attracts businesses that stimulate economic growth.

Research shows that people like to live in homes that are next to or near parks and open spaces — giving them higher values.

Not only do we depend on our natural resources for a healthier and higher quality life, but our natural resources depend on us to take care of them.

That means getting rid of non-native invasive plant species that overtake the landscape and make it difficult for native plants to grow and returning our natural areas to pre-European settlement condition — the period before humans dramatically altered the landscape.

Using native plants to restore our natural areas has several benefits. They promote healthy ecosystems and stimulate biological diversity that can attract and sustain a multitude of native insects and animals, and they provide a more extensive root structure that can significantly decrease erosion into our lakes and rivers. If we do nothing, many of our native plant species will be lost, and animals and insects that rely on these native plants will also be lost.

Preserving the natural resources in Dakota County is important. That’s why the Board of Commissioners made restoring our natural resources a priority in our parks. Over the past several years, 540 acres of native prairie have

been restored and are now being maintained. By 2019, more than $2.3 million (nearly $1.9 million in grant funding) will be spent on restoring an additional 792 acres. In addition, 600 acres of land are undergoing stages of invasive species removal. Four full-time staff and one intern have been dedicated to the effort, and 365 volunteers worked more than 1,400 hours in 2015 alone to remove invasive species, collect native plant seeds, plant trees and perform a number of other restoration-related efforts.

Our commitment is ongoing. This year, a new system-wide Natural Resource Management Plan will be developed to guide restoration efforts across the County for the next 20 years, and an individual natural resource plan will be tailored for each park over the next five years.

We’re not taking our natural resources for granted. Our survival, and theirs, depends on us.

You can help. Volunteers are needed to help remove invasive species, collect seeds and other natural resources tasks. www.dakotacounty.us, search volunteer

Restored acres being maintained

Annual cost to maintain 540 restored acres

Acres undergoing stages of buckthorn removal

Additional acres to be restored by 2019

Cost to restore 792 acres

Grants secured to restore 792 acres

County contribution to restore 792 acres

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

www.dakotacounty.us/parks

click Programs & Events

River to River Greenway Thompson County Park LILYDALE

BigRivers RiversRegional RegionalTrail Trail Big

MENDOTA

WEST ST PAUL

35E

156 SOUTH ST PAUL

MENDOTA SUNFISH HEIGHTS LAKE

494

Lebanon Hills Regional Park 13

35E

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS

43

32

55

71

38 ROSEMOUNT

APPLE VALLEY

BURNSVILLE

Spring Lake Park Reserve

56

31

35W

52

3

EAGAN

77

Mississippi River Regional Trail

494

33

52

42

42

42

COATES

46

HASTINGS

85

31

54

47

Dakota Woods Dog Park

9

MARSHAN 316 RAVENNA TWP TWP

62

EMPIRE TWP

23 FARMINGTON

35

55

NININGER TWP

VERMILLION

66 LAKEVILLE

61

VERMILLION TWP

91

Miesville Ravine Park Reserve

50 HAMPTON

Whitetail Woods Regional Park

EUREKA TWP

3

NEW TRIER

HAMPTON TWP

DOUGLAS TWP

50

61

MIESVILLE

20

80

52

56

85

CASTLE ROCK TWP

86

GREENVALE TWP

19

WATERFORD TWP

NORTHFIELD

Archery Biking Boating Camper cabin Camping Canoeing/Kayaking Cross-country skiing

RANDOLPH TWP RANDOLPH

88

47 SCIOTA TWP

Lake Byllesby Regional Park

19

Dog on-leash Dogsledding Fishing Gardening Geocaching Hiking Horseback riding

Horseshoes Ice skating Kicksledding Model airplane flying Mountain biking Nature play Picnicking

Play area Recreational bonfire Rollerblading Ski skating Sledding Snowshoeing Swimming

Call 952-891-7000 Monday through Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

FAMILY PROGRAMS FOREVER WILD FAMILY FRIDAY Join us for family fun on the first Friday of every month.

Ages: All ages Fee: Free Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111001 Celebrate the Sky Enjoy hands-on activities and learn about comets, meteors and more.

• Fri, May 6; 7–8:30 pm Water Carnival Have fun with games and activities all about water.

• Fri, June 3; 7–8:30 pm Festival of Flight Explore the world of things that fly. Try your hand at kite flying, birdwatching, bug catching and more.

• Fri, July 1; 7–8:30 pm Story and Song Hear Jack Pearson perform stories, music and more from his family-friendly repertoire.

• Fri, Aug. 5; 7–8:30 pm Scavenger Hunt Get outside and enjoy the last weekend of summer with a scavenger hunt adventure on the trails.

• Fri, Sept. 2; 7–8:30 pm STARWATCH WITH MIKE LYNCH See stars through two of the biggest mobile telescopes in Minnesota and hear Mike Lynch share his stories about constellations and their legends.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $10/person Amphitheater Whitetail Woods Regional Park Activity Number: 111704 • Sat, May 7; 8:30–10:30 pm STORYWALK Take a self-guided walk in the park while reading picture book pages displayed along the trail.

Ages: All ages Fee: Free Visitor Center Trailhead Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110902 • Fri-Mon, May 27–30; 8 am–8 pm OR • Fri-Mon, Sept. 2–5; 8 am–8 pm

PARENT CHILD FISHING What better way to spend time together. Learn about Minnesota fish and how to cast, and practice catch and release pier fishing.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $10/person Activity Number: 111101 North Shelter Thompson County Park • Sat, May 28; 2–4 pm Holland Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sat, June 4; 2–4 pm PARENT CHILD KAYAK Spend an evening with your child learning the basics of kayaking and having fun with games and activities on the water.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $10/person Schulze Beach Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111901 • Tue, June 21; 6–8 pm OR • Tue, July 12; 6–8 pm MUSIC IN THE PARK There’s nothing more relaxing than listening to great music outdoors. Join us for an entertaining series of musical performances.

Ages: All ages Fee: Free Amphitheater Whitetail Woods Regional Park Activity Number: 112601 • Sun, June 26; 6–8 pm OR • Sun, July 31; 6–8 pm OR • Sun, Aug 28; 6–8 pm PARENT CHILD CANOE Enjoy one-on-one time with your child in a canoe learning paddling techniques and practicing your skills with fun games and activities on the water.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $10/person Schulze Beach Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111902 • Tue, June 28; 6–8 pm OR • Tue, July 26; 6–8 pm FAMILY DAY CAMP Enjoy time together through these fun family camps.

Activity Number: 111409 Portage and Paddle Learn the basics of paddling and try your hand at portaging through the park. Perfect preparation for a Boundary Waters trip.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $20/person Visitors Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sat, July 2; 10 am–2 pm

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Go the Distance Explore the park on a hiking adventure. Learn the best trail loops with a fun scavenger hunt.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $20/person Visitors Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sat, July 30; 10 am–2 pm

MicroHiking Discover what you can find on the tiniest of hikes.

• Fri, Aug. 26; 10 am–noon

PARENT CHILD ARCHERY Learn basic shooting techniques and range safety through games and activities for kids and their parents.

Ages: 8 and older Fee: $10/person Archery Shelter Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 110101 • Sat, Aug. 20; 10 am–noon

GET FIT HIKING CLUB Hiking is a fun way to stay in shape. Learn about park trails and get tips to make hiking a blast.

Ages: 8–12 Fee: $20/session Activity Number: 111404

MONARCH MIGRATION Learn about the life and amazing migration of the monarch. Catch them in the prairie and help tag them before they head out on their migratory trip.

Ages: All ages Fee: $5/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111703 • Sat, Sept. 3; 10 am–noon

YOUTH PROGRAMS NATURE PLAY Discover nature play and outdoor fun with a park naturalist.

Ages: All ages Fee: Free Fawn Crossing Nature Play Area Whitetail Woods Regional Park Activity Number: 112701 Nature’s Circus Have fun on the “circus” elements of the nature play area.

• Fri, April 15; 10 am–noon Rock Art Use rocks, chalk and other materials to create art from stones.

• Fri, May 13; 10 am–noon Sand Sculpture Use sand, water and other elements to create nature-inspired sand sculptures.

• Fri, June 10; 10 am–noon Water Play Experiment and play with water and cool off on a hot summer day.

• Fri, July 22; 10 am–noon

Leaf Art Use leaves and other natural items to create art.

• Fri, Sept. 9; 10 am–noon

Lebanon Hills Club Visitor Center Trailhead Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sat, April 2–23; 10–11 am Whitetail Woods Club Main Trailhead Whitetail Woods Regional Park • Sat, May 7–28; 10–11 am SCOUT BADGES Earn scout badges or adventures in these two-hour programs.

Fee: $8/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Wolf Cub Scouts — Paws on the Path Learn how to prepare and take a guided hike on the trails.

Ages: 7–8 Activity Number: 112306 • Sat, April 16; 2–4 pm Bear Cub Scouts — Fur, Feathers and Ferns Take a hike to learn about endangered species and examine plants.

Ages: 8–9 Activity Number: 112307 • Sat, April 23; 2–4 pm Webelos — Into the Wild Learn about balanced ecosystems and observe animals in the wild.

Ages: 9–11 Activity Number: 112308 • Sat, April 30; 10 am–noon Daisy Girl Scouts — Rosie Petal Earn your petal by learning about waste reduction — at home and in the park.

Ages: 5–6 Activity Number: 112301 • Sat, April 30; 2–4 pm

PROGRAMS & EVENTS Brownie Girl Scouts — Bugs Learn about bugs and bug habitats. Catch and examine them up close.

Ages: 6–9 Activity Number: 112302 • Sat, May 7; 2–4 pm Junior Girl Scouts — Flowers Explore the world of flowers — from plant life to their place in society.

Ages: 9–11 Activity Number: 112303 • Sat, May 14; 2–4 pm KNEE-HIGH NATURALISTS Ages: 3–6 Fee: $8/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 112001 Marvelous Mud Delve into the world of mud — discover what it is, how it’s made and what you can do with it.

• Thu, April 14; 10–11:30 am • Sat, April 23; 10–11:30 am

www.dakotacounty.us/parks HOMESCHOOL LAB Use the park as your lab for hand-on study and scientific experimentation.

Ages: 6–12 Fee: $8/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111501 Botany of Flowers Delve into the world of wildflowers. Learn their characteristics and how they grow and practice identification in the field.

• Wed, May 4; 1–3 pm HOMESCHOOL RECREATION Learn and practice new recreation skills.

Ages: 6–12 Fee: $8/youth Activity Number: 111502 Orienteering Learn basic skills and get out and practice on our orienteering course.

• Wed, June 1; 1–3 pm

Rain and Water Explore water — from your tap to the lake. Take a walk, observe pond life and create a work of water art to take home.

• Thu, May 12; 10–11:30 am • Sat, May 21; 10–11:30 am

Archery Learn proper technique and range safety and spend time with field target practice.

Archery Shelter Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve • Wed, Sept. 7; 1–3 pm

A Parade of Ants Build a giant ant hill, view the world as an ant and go on an ant hunt.

• Thu, June 9; 10–11:30 am • Sat, June 18; 10–11:30 am

TEEN ADVENTURE CHALLENGE Meet up with other teens and have fun with recreational challenges that will test your skills.

Attend three of four challenges and receive a prize. No experience necessary.

Ages: 13–16 Fee: $8/youth Activity Number: 112202

Sun and Shadows Play with sun and shadows — see how the sun moves, how sun and shade are different, and make your own suncatcher to take home.

• Thu, July 7; 10–11:30 am • Sat, July 16; 10–11:30 am Grasshoppers Galore Learn about grasshoppers and their habitat and head out for hands-on grasshopper catching.

• Thu, Aug. 18; 10–11:30 am • Sat, Aug. 27; 10–11:30 am Goldenrod and Galls Learn about goldenrod and the many animals that rely on it — including monarch butterflies and gall wasps.

• Thu, Sept. 15; 10–11:30 am • Sat, Sept. 24; 10–11:30 am

Kayaking Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sat, June 14; 6–8 pm Fishing Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sat, June 25; 2–4 pm Geocaching Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Tue, Aug. 16; 6–8 pm Archery Archery Shelter Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve • Sat, Aug. 20; 2–4 pm

CAMPS FOR KIDS SMALL FRY FISH CAMP Learn how to cast and tie knots and to practice fishing skills on the water.

Ages: 5–8 Fee: $30/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110407 • Fri, June 17; 9 am–3 pm FISH CAMP Explore Minnesota fish through hands-on games and activities and learn to cast and catch and release.

Ages: 8–12 Fee: $75/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110401 • Wed–Fri, June 22–24; 9 am–3 pm WILDERNESS SURVIVAL CAMP Learn to survive in the woods by constructing survival shelters, building fires, learning how to tie knots and finding your way.

Ages: 8–12 Fee: $75/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110404 • Wed–Fri, July 13–15; 9 am–3 pm ULTIMATE HIKER CAMP Explore trails in Lebanon Hills during this hiking camp. Learn how to prepare for a hike, how to stay safe and basic wayfinding.

Enjoy scavenger hunts and other challenges along the way.

Ages: 10–14 Fee: $75/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110408 • Wed–Fri, July 27–29; 9 am–3 pm ARCHERY CAMP Learn proper technique and range safety and practice target shooting at this unique field archery trail. Instructor is certified through the National Archery in the Schools Program.

Ages: 8–12 Fee: $75/youth Archery Shelter Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 110402 • Wed–Fri, Aug. 17–19; 9 am–3 pm

click Programs & Events

LITTLE RIPPERS MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP Experts from Valley Bike and Ski will help young riders learn the basics of bike handling and get them on the trails to practice their new skills. No experience necessary. Bring your helmet and mountain bike. A limited number of rental bikes available.

Ages: 6–10 Fee: $30/youth Mountain Bike Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110406 • Fri, July 10; 9 am–noon MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP Grab your mountain bike and helmet and join Valley Bike and Ski experts in learning bike handling skills, bike and trail maintenance, and more. No experience required. A limited number of rental bikes available.

Ages: 10–15 Fee: $90/youth Mountain Bike Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110403 • Mon–Thu, July 11–14; 9 am–noon OR • Mon–Thu, Aug. 8–11; 9 am–noon MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP FOR GIRLS Grab your mountain bike and helmet and join Valley Bike and Ski experts in learning bike handling skills, bike and trail maintenance, and more. No experience required. A limited number of rental bikes available.

Ages: 10–15 Fee: $90/youth Mountain Bike Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110403 • Mon–Thu, July 11–14; 9 am–noon

EVENTS TAKE A KID FISHING Introduce your child to fishing and catch some quality time together. Practice knot tying, casting and baiting a hook at hands-on activity stations, and try your luck with pier fishing.

Bring your own pole or use one of ours.

Ages: All ages Fee: Free North Shelter Thompson County Park Activity Number: 110801 • Sun, June 12; 1–4 pm

Call 952-891-7000 Monday through Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

ADULT PROGRAMS FLY FISHING WORKSHOP Join the Fly Fishing Women of Minnesota for an in-depth introduction to fly fishing, casting techniques and fly tying.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $30/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111102 • Tue, April 12 & 19; 6–8 pm YOGA FOR BEGINNERS Join an all-level class that encourages you to focus on your breathing in each pose and listen to your body.

Ages: 10 and older Fee: $48/session Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111201 • Wed, April 13–May 18; 6:30–7:30 pm OR • Wed, July 6 –Aug. 10; 6:30–7:30 pm HIKE THE PARKS Take a guided hike each month throughout the season to discover the unique beauty and character of each Dakota County park.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $8/session Activity Number: 111403 Wildflower Hike Take a guided hike through Miesville Ravine and learn about the spring ephemerals in full bloom.

Trailhead Miesville Ravine Park Reserve • Sun, April 17; 1–3 pm Birdwatching Hike Explore the trails of this quaint park and learn basic birding tips and identification. Binoculars provided.

Trailhead Thompson County Park • Fri, May 20; 6:30–8:30 pm Full Moon Hike Join us for a hike on the bluffs above the Mississippi River under a nearly full moon.

Schaar’s Bluff Trailhead Spring Lake Park Reserve • Sat, June 18; 7–9 pm Sunset Hike Join us for a guided hike and experience the beautiful sunset over Lake Byllesby.

Trailhead Lake Byllesby Regional Park • Fri, July 22; 7–9 pm

Dawn Hike Take a guided hike and experience the beauty of the park at the crack of dawn.

Visitor Center Trailhead Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sat, Aug. 13; 6–8 am Fall Colors Hike Experience the beauty of Whitetail Woods at one of the loveliest times of year. Explore the trails and learn about nature’s happenings in fall.

Main Trailhead Whitetail Woods Regional Park • Sat, Sept. 24; 2–4 pm INTRO TO FLY FISHING FOR WOMEN Join us for a hands-on introduction to fly fishing for women taught by the Fly Fishing Women of Minnesota.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $15/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111102 • Sat, May 14; 10 am–noon BIRDING ON THE MISSISSIPPI See a unique vantage point of the Mississippi from the new Rock Island Swing Bridge and learn great birding tips. Binoculars provided.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: Free; registration required Swing Bridge Park Shelter Mississippi River Regional Trail Activity Number: 111702 • Sun, May 15; 8–10 am YOGA FOR INTERMEDIATES Take the next step and try this class focusing on correct alignment and strength.

Ages: 10 and older Fee: $48/session Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111201 • Wed, May 25–June 29; 6:30–7:45 pm OR • Wed, Aug. 17–Sept. 21; 6:30–7:45 pm BACKYARD AGRICULTURE: Beyond Beekeeping Basics If you already keep bees, this class is for you. Learn about bee behavior, hive management and equipment. Hear the latest about bee health, swarms and simple queen rearing. Prerequisite: Beekeeping Basics and past beekeeping experience.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $40/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111301 • Thu, June 9 & 16; 6–9 pm

MOUNTAIN BIKE WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN Learn mountain biking skills taught by women from Valley Bike and Ski. Topics include bike handling skills, equipment, safety, trails and more. For all skill levels. Limited number of demo bikes available for use.

Ages: 14 and older Fee: $30/person Mountain Bike Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111301 • Fri & Sat, June 10 & 11; 6–9 pm & 9 am–noon SUNSET CANOE Get out on the lake and enjoy the sunset and star show.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $18/person Schulze Beach Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111906 • Fri, Aug. 12; 7:30–9:30 pm ANIMAL TRACKING WITH JONATHAN POPPELE Hear Jonathan Poppele, author of Animal Tracks: Midwest Edition, share his tips for track identification and practice your new tracking skills in the park.

Ages: 13 and older Fee: $8/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111705 • Sat, Sept. 17; 10 am–noon

VOLUNTEER EVENTS Help us with everything from removing invasive species to assisting at park events. See a full list and sign up at www. dakotacounty.us/parks, search volunteer.

MONTHLY STEWARDSHIP EVENTS Work to restore habitats one weekday evening each month June–October. See website for upcoming dates.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park EARTH WEEK CLEAN UP Spring clean Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Gloves and bags provided. All ages.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sun–Sat, April 18–24; 9 am–5 pm

PROGRAMS & EVENTS GARLIC MUSTARD CHALLENGE Learn about invasive garlic mustard and volunteer six hours to help remove it from the park.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Tue, May 3; 6–8 pm • Thu, May 5; 6–8 pm • Sat, May 14; 9–11 pm NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS EVENT Help restore habitat along the Mississippi River.

Schaar’s Bluff Spring Lake Park Reserve • Sat, Sept. 17; 9 am–noon

INFORMATION REGISTRATION To register online, search for the program using the activity number or a key word in the program title. Registration is not required for free programs unless noted. Satisfaction is guaranteed.

PAYMENT Payment is due at registration. All major credit cards are accepted.

IF WE NEED TO CANCEL Cancellations posted at www.dakotacounty.us/parks.

IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL Refund policy posted at www.dakotacounty.us/parks, click Programs & Events.

SCHOLARSHIPS Call 952-891-7000.

ACCESSIBILITY At least three weeks before the program, tell us what accommodation would make the program accessible to you or your family.

EQUIPMENT Provided unless specified.

NEED EQUIPMENT?

Rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboards at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center. www.dakotacounty.us/parks search equipment rental

Camping is for

everyone!

Sleep under the stars in Dakota County Parks www.dakotacounty.us/parks, search camping

23 CURBSIDE RECYCLING 25 RECYCLING DO’S AND DON’TS

Recycling around the house WHICH BIN IS BEST WHEN CARRYING IT TO THE CURB?

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f you’re confused about what goes into the recycling and what goes into the trash, you are not alone. In 2013, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency studied what residents and businesses across the state were throwing away and found a lot of paper, a lot of plastic and a lot of metal — nearly half of which could have been recycled.

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Go Green | Curbside Recycling

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n 2014, Minnesota law established a higher recycling goal for each of the seven metro counties. The law set Dakota County’s goal of recycling at 75 percent of all waste by the year 2030. Currently, residents and businesses in Dakota County recycle 52 percent — down two percent from where we were three years ago — even though, through changing technologies, more items are now recyclable.

Not knowing what can and can’t be recycled curbside and dealing with recycling carts that are overflowing are some of the biggest challenges residents face when it comes to recycling.

Dakota County’s Recycling at Home guide — an online one-page, printable list of what can and can’t be placed in your curbside recycling — can help you easily sort recyclables from trash.

If the item you’re tossing is not on the printable list, there’s an excellent chance you’ll find it listed in the online Green Guide that includes disposal options for thousands of household items.

A frequent recyclable item found in the trash is paper.

In fact, paper makes up a quarter of

what’s in the trash with newspapers, cardboard boxes, home office and junk mail — such as unsolicited catalogs and credit card offers — topping the list of what’s being tossed in the trash.

These paper items are valuable to paper mills right here in the Twin Cities, which turn them back into paper, cardboard, cereal boxes and more.

Paper cartons that hold liquid — such as milk and soup cartons and juice boxes — also belong in the recycling cart. Recycling facility technology can now separate the paper from the plastic liner inside the cartons, so the paper can be recycled.

If an overflowing recycling cart is preventing you from recycling more, call your hauler. Many haulers offer weekly recycling pick up or a larger cart at no extra charge.

Take small steps to make a huge impact on curbside recycling.

www.dakotacounty.us, search recycling at home

Dakota County Recycling Rate Percent of waste recycled or composted

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

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Go Green | Recycling Do’s and Don’ts

Envelopes with plastic windows

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Construction paper art projects

Milk, juice, soup, and wine cartons

These CAN go in your curbside recycling bins

Yogurt cups, tubs and containers

Shampoo, lotion, and soap bottles

Magazines with glossy pages

Paperback books

Paper with staples

Plastic shopping bags

Batteries

Styrofoam or foam products

Clear berry and produce containers

f o a m

Top items we should recycle curbside but don’t

Notebooks with the metal spiral

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Top items we put in curbside recycling but shouldn’t

Garden hoses

Medical sharps

Drink pouches

Ceramics

Paper “to-go” cups

These CANNOT go in your curbside recycling bins

Mirrors

Gift wrapping and tissue paper

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F E A T U R E

No trade-offs:

Dakota County’s quality service, low-cost approach

WE’RE WORKING HARD TO DELIVER HIGH-QUALIT Y SER VICES FOR LESS

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QUALITY SERVICE, LOW-COST APPROACH

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ax levies pay for projects and services that make Dakota County a great place to live. They fund libraries, parks, transportation, public safety, human services, jails and many other core functions of county government. While many counties in the state have struggled to maintain services, Dakota County will manage with a very small upward bump in the levy.

Dakota County’s increase this year is less than one percent — 0.41 percent to be precise. That’s in contrast to other Minnesota counties. County levies across the state increased an average of 3.4 percent for taxes payable this year, according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Dakota County has one of the best managed budgets in the state. Maintaining a low levy is no easy task in times of high demand for government services, yet Dakota County has done so by mixing sober budget analysis with shrewd investments, wise strategies and a long-ball approach on expensive items such as energy.

Dakota County maintains the smallest household tax levy in Minnesota. Residents pay just $48 a month on a median-priced home of $219,400, far less than people in neighboring counties. And while Dakota County may have low taxes, it’s hardly a cheapskate when it comes to providing an exceptional level of public safety, libraries, parks, transportation and social and other public services.

That’s not the only good news. The County has no debt that taxpayers need to support, having paid off $23.9 million in bonds in February 2016. This means the County can redirect money once used to pay principal and interest to other needs. For the past six years, Moody’s has given Dakota County a Aaa rating, an achievement reached by only 2 percent of all the nation’s counties.

With such a low levy and a budget largely free of debt, residents may wonder where their tax dollars go. The biggest expenses are “other taxpayer services” — elections, license centers, property records — (27 percent); followed by public safety and corrections (26 percent); social services (20 percent); library services (9 percent); welfare/ child support collection (5 percent); transportation (4 percent); parks and environment (3 percent); public health (3 percent); and buildings (3 percent).

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Despite the modest taxation rate, the County hasn’t diminished services in those areas. So how has it maintained a record for the past six years of increasing the tax levy less than one percent each year? By long-range planning that incorporates forward thinking and measurable goals.

By employing a number of cost-cutting strategies. By a rigorous program of accountability that identifies whether savings’ efforts met or surpassed goals.

Employees and managers are constantly on the lookout for ways to slice costs, improve productivity and decrease energy use. Let’s look at just a few areas where the County has been a local and national leader in reducing costs in these areas. Coincidently, one resulting benefit of the County’s cost reductions has not just been greater efficiency but fewer greenhouse gases.

The County has no debt that taxpayers need to support, having paid off $23.9 million in bonds in February 2016.

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ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS

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akota County was a pioneer in constructing green buildings. If you have visited Lebanon Hills Regional Park, you may have noticed the vegetative roof, rain gardens, recycling bins and big windows that daylight common areas of the Visitor Center. It was the first building in Minnesota to be certified Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council in Washington, D.C. Schaar’s Bluff Gathering Center in Spring Lake Park Reserve is another fine example of sustainability, with features ranging from an innovative roof system where rainwater gets captured and redeployed for use as toilet water and supporting animal habitat. The building uses powered window shades to block the summer sun and permit solar heat in winter. Still, county parks in the Twin Cities region are known for leading on energy efficiency. Is the rest of Dakota County on the same sustainability page?

As it turns out, the answer is yes. Attention to energy use in buildings has long been a preoccupation of County leaders, starting in 2000 when the County Board adopted a High Performance Buildings Standard measure. A decade later, the Board added even more stringent energy conservation goals which have resulted in the addition of a 160 kilowatt solar installation at the County’s Empire site,

a current proposal for participation in two solar gardens within the County, and ownership and operation of a hydro electric dam at Lake Byllesby in Randolph Township.

All County buildings today have energy efficient lighting, walls, windows and roofs. Many buildings have seen heating and cooling equipment upgrades that bring them energy savings. One 50,000-square-foot storage facility uses the earth for heating and cooling through use of a geothermal system.

The results have been impressive. While square footage increased 9 percent from 2006 to 2014 and energy costs bumped up 7.8 percent, Dakota County actually decreased energy use. The County’s facility-related carbon production dropped 13 percent while energy use per square foot plummeted 14 percent. Achieving energy savings is also attributable to attentive management that works to improve operational procedures and maintenance practices.

That’s a lot of numbers. But Dakota County staff like metrics — the proof is in the proverbial pudding of statistics.

Achieving energy savings is attributable to high performance buildings as well as the human intervention of better operational procedures, maintenance practices and other improvements.

With these increases from 2006 to 2014...

Decrease in carbon production Increase in square footage

Increase in energy costs

Decrease in energy use per square foot

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Where your tax dollars go Other Taxpayer Services Public Safety and Corrections

Welfare and Child Support Collection

Social Services

Transportation

Parks/Environment

Public Health Buildings

Library Services

Ways Dakota County saves your tax dollars Improved gas mileage by Sheets of paper saved

More energy efficient buildings Inefficient vehicles eliminated

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VEHICLE FLEET

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early every governmental entity has a fleet of vehicles, from pickups driven by park personnel to snow plow trucks operated by transportation staff.

County managers took a hard look at their fleet of cars, trucks and equipment and created a plan to increase use of the existing fleet, reduce replacements and purchase with an eye toward efficiency. A switch to lighter trucks several years ago saved gas and offered employees more appropriately sized vehicles to accomplish their key business tasks.

Over the past decade, Dakota County eliminated 120 vehicles and “right-sized” another 61 to improve efficiency.

Over the past nine years the fleet has improved gas mileage by 25 percent. County workers drove 7 percent fewer miles due to onboard GPS-based telematics systems that provide real time information on vehicle performance, use and location.

Managers can monitor vehicle mechanical systems and employee driving habits, allowing supervisors to encourage improved vehicle operation, engine troubleshooting, and route analysis. Another desirable outcome has been 100 percent compliance with the County’s requirement that all employees wear seatbelts.

GOING PAPERLESS

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hile in a digital world, good old paper isn’t exactly finished, as a product its fortunes appear in decline. Yet one of the biggest creators of paperwork remains the government, a consumer of many tons of it. While paper may not be the biggest expense, County managers went to work trying to reduce it.

Moreover, when a document is printed in error or by accident in its entirety, a user can cancel without a single sheet being wasted. Since Managed Print began in September 2015 through February 2016, the County saw 9,920 jobs canceled before being printed. That’s 48,932 sheets of paper saved, the equivalent of nearly 6 trees.

The rollout of Managed Print Services — standardizing print and copy devices and managing all supplies and services with a single vendor — is helping the County see significant savings by reducing print volume and paper use. The County decreased the number of print supply and maintenance vendors from eight to one. It imposed a system where employees have to present a badge at the printer to retrieve documents. When staff members print documents from their desk and do not swipe their badge and release the prints, they will not be printed and deleted if no action is taken.

The County expects to save $100,000 annually in costs over the next five years and see the print budget drop by half. The County also is now using 100 percent recycled paper as its standard printer paper. Additional money is being saved with the rollout of Energy Star-certified printers and the consolidation of equipment. Staff can also now better anticipate when printers will need to be replaced, allowing improved budgeting for device replacement over the years to come.

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CUTTING FUTURE COSTS

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akota County is justifiably proud of its sustainability record so far, yet leaders are keenly aware of continuing challenges. Energy prices are going up, not down, especially for electricity. With that in mind, the County has embarked upon aggressive efforts to conserve energy and water in a plan to invest in solar energy.

Currently, 1.5 percent of the County government’s electric needs are taken care of by a solar installation at the Empire Township Wastewater Plant. Its success led County leaders to agree to participate in a community solar garden the Metropolitan Council plans to build for government agencies.

Minnesota has become a national leader in community solar gardens, with dozens of developers building them across the state. Under state legislation passed in 2013, community solar gardens require at least five subscribers and no one entity can purchase more than 40 percent of the power. Dakota County is home to 167 proposed solar gardens, one of the highest numbers among Minnesota counties.

The Met Council plans to sponsor government-only community solar gardens to allow cities, counties and other agencies to offset their energy consumption. The community garden membership does three things that all have a positive impact on the County’s finances and environmental standing:

•

In an uncertain world where electricity prices are only going up, a community solar garden contract locks in a price for electricity for 25 years. The cost savings can be substantial compared to buying traditionally generated electricity from utilities.

• Secondly, solar is clean energy, with no carbon pollution created by power generation.

• Thirdly, investments have been made in distributed solar generation, a movement that creates a more resilient

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energy grid by allowing for a greater number of power providers, including those offering carbon-free options.

The County plans to buy enough power from two solar gardens to provide 4 percent of its electricity needs. Along with the existing solar garden, the County would have solar powering 5.5 percent of its energy consumption.

There’s a chance that the rest of the County’s power could come from another green source — hydroelectricity. In 2010, after years of joint ownership with Goodhue County, Dakota County took over operation and management of the 104-year old Lake Byllesby Dam. The County and state have spent $5.8 million on renovating the dam, yet the ancient turbines remain. Consultants have suggested the County replace the turbines with new ones efficient enough to double the dam’s energy output, enough to power all Dakota County’s offices and parks and make a big dent in the $1.6 million annual electric bill.

Such progressive thinking continues to put Dakota County in the forefront of governmental institutions in Minnesota.

Holding down the County property tax levy is not a result of luck, but rather a result of intentional planning over the past decade that has led to lower costs for County services. And that’s something all County residents can appreciate.

Dakota County looks to the future

Number of proposed solar gardens in Dakota County

Replace the 104 year-old turbines on Lake Byllesby Dam with more efficient ones to reduce the County’s annual electric bill

Holding down the County property tax levy is not a result of luck, but rather a result of intentional Amount of energy that could be provided by current and planned solar gardens

planning over the past decade ...

spring/summer 2016 | www.dakotacounty.us |

33

Kids

who read grow up to succeed.

Join us for the Summer Library Experience

June 6 – August 13

www.dakotacounty.us/library, search summer reading program

Community | Your Commissioners Mike Slavik District 1

T: 651-438-4427 Includes the cities of Coates, Farmington, Hampton, Hastings, Miesville, New Trier, Randolph, Vermillion, Northfield Precinct 2; townships of Castle Rock, Douglas, Empire, Eureka, Greenvale, Hampton, Marshan, Nininger, Randolph, Ravenna, Sciota, Vermillion and Waterford.

Kathleen A. Gaylord District 2

Liz Workman District 5

T: 651-438-4431 Includes the city of Burnsville.

Mary Liz Holberg District 6

T: 651-438-4243 Includes the city of Lakeville.

Chris Gerlach

District 7

Back row: Mary Liz Holberg, Chris Gerlach, Liz Workman, Thomas A. Egan Front row: Kathleen A. Gaylord, Nancy Schouweiler (Chair), Mike Slavik

T: 651-438-4411 Includes the cities of Rosemount Precincts 3 and 5, and Apple Valley.

LILYDALE MENDOTA

T: 651-438-4428 Includes the cities of South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Sunfish Lake, and Inver Grove Heights Precincts 1 and 8–10.

Thomas A. Egan District 3

T: 651-438-4429 Includes the cities of Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, and Eagan Precincts 1–7 and 9–12.

MENDOTA HEIGHTS

WEST ST. PAUL SUNFISH LAKE

2

3 EAGAN

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS

BURNSVILLE

5

APPLE VALLEY

4

7 ROSEMOUNT

T: 651-438-4430 Includes the cities of Inver Grove Heights Precincts 2–7; Eagan Precincts 8 and 13– 17; and Rosemount Precincts 1–2, 4, and 6–7.

NININGER HASTINGS

COATES

VERMILLION

6

EMPIRE

1

LAKEVILLE FARMINGTON

Nancy Schouweiler District 4

SOUTH ST. PAUL

RAVENNA MARSHAN

VERMILLION TWP

NEW TRIER

MIESVILLE

HAMPTON EUREKA

CASTLE ROCK

HAMPTON TWP

DOUGLAS

RANDOLPH TWP RANDOLPH SCIOTA

GREENVALE

WATERFORD NORTHFIELD

spring/summer 2016 | www.dakotacounty.us |

35

Sprucing up for spring?

We’ll take your leftover • Household cleaners • Latex paint • Lawn and garden chemicals • Antifreeze and motor oil

Drop your items off for free at:

Need new paint, cleaners and yard chemicals?

Check the Reuse Shelf for free products.

www.dakotacounty.us search Recycling Zone