PLUS INSIDE:
+ Election details
+ Summer road work + Library activities + Tabs made easier
Welcome to the summer 2024 Dakota County Plus. Combined with the Dakota County Newsletter, we’re bringing you county news four times a year.
Summer singalong
Make your way to Dakota County Parks this summer, where free familyfriendly events and activities await.
Visit Whitetail Woods Regional Park in Farmington for Music in the Park events July 30 and Aug. 27. The events, running 5–7 p.m., feature plenty of space to spread out blankets or chairs and enjoy musical entertainment at the park’s amphitheater. Food trucks will also be available.
Admission and parking are free.
Visit www.dakotacounty.us/parks, search music for details, including performers and food truck vendors.
Other free summer activities include:
• Forever Wild Family Friday: Visit Lebanon Hills Visitor Center Friday, July 12 to learn about dragonflies or go to Fawn Crossing at Whitetail Woods Regional Park Friday, Aug. 2 to learn about bats. Runs 6–7:30 p.m.
• Family hike: Come to Thompson County Park for a naturalist-led walk in the park Sunday, July 21 and Sunday, Aug. 18. Runs 10–11 a.m.
• Story trail: Take a self-guided walk through Lebanon Hills Regional Park’s McDonough Lake Loop while reading picture book pages displayed along the trail. Runs 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Friday–Monday, Aug. 30–Sept. 2.
Visit www.dakotacounty.us/parks, click programs & events for full programs and events listing.
Get ready to vote
Voters will cast ballots in two statewide elections this year. The primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 13, followed by the general election Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Voters can cast their ballot by absentee, early voting or in person.
Absentee ballots can be requested in-person, online or through the mail. Absentee ballots must arrive by election day in order to be counted. Absentee voting starts June 28 for the primary election.
Early voting for the primary election is available July 26–Aug. 13. You can cast your ballot and drop it directly into a ballot counter at the Dakota County Administration Center in Hastings, the Western Service Center in Apple Valley, the Northern Service Center in West St. Paul or at your city hall.
Group effort
Nobody enjoys the sight of trash accumulating along roadside ditches or riverbanks. It takes a group effort to clean up that trash, and every item picked up helps keep our environment healthy.
Dakota County offers several ways for employee organizations, church groups, civic clubs and even
You can also cast your ballot at your polling place on primary election day. Voting hours are 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Absentee voting for the Nov. 5 general election begins Sept. 20. Early voting will start Oct. 18, with a process and locations similar to early voting for the primary election. Election Day polling place hours will be 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Find your polling place, view your sample ballot, register to vote or check your registration, and apply for an absentee ballot at www.mnvotes.org.
How to participate
To volunteer and get involved in the election process, visit www.mnvotes.org. To apply to be an election judge, contact your city or township office.
families to lend a hand at locations throughout the county. We’ll provide all the materials and resources needed for your group to help make the county a cleaner place for all.
Get started today by visiting www.dakotacounty.us and searching volunteer trash pickup.
Keeping tabs on it
Dakota County and the State of Minnesota are making it easier to purchase your annual vehicle tabs. No more waiting in line. It’s now as easy as getting cash from an ATM.
Bring your tab renewal notice to one of 16 Cub Foods locations to use new DVS Now kiosks. Simply scan your notice and follow the touchscreen prompts to have your tabs printed instantly. If your vehicle requires new plates instead of tabs, the kiosk will direct you to a license center.
Even if you don’t have your renewal notice, you can still use the kiosks. You’ll need to enter your address, license plate number, insurance information, county where the vehicle is kept, account ID or house number, and the last three characters of your Vehicle Identification Number.
The kiosks accept credit or debit cards. In addition to the renewal costs, there is a $4.95 service fee. There is also an additional processing fee if you pay by credit card. This fee is similar if you choose to renew online or at a motor vehicle office.
The Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services launched the program last year. Dakota County partners with the state on two locations — Apple Valley and Bloomington — because they are near county license center locations.
Another location in West St. Paul isn’t affiliated with the county because it’s closer to a Ramsey County license center.
Join us at the fair
Mark your calendars for the Dakota County Fair Aug. 5–11 at the fairgrounds in Farmington. Make sure to stop by the county government building for interactive exhibits, fun activities and giveaways. Adults and children alike will learn more about county services, win prizes and much more.
This year’s exhibit will also include a celebration of the county’s 175th anniversary.
Library’s the stop for summer fun
Dakota County Library is your stop for fun and learning this summer. Free events and classes for the entire community are happening at all 10 library locations. Enjoy a music performance, meet an author, attend an art class and learn something new:
• Explore youth events like the Summer Discovery reading and learning program, STEM classes, Mighty Machines, craft fairs featuring youth entrepreneurs and crafters selling their crafts, dance performances, and more.
• Enjoy outdoor concerts by local musicians at our Summer Music Series.
• Look for the On the Go Van in your community, delivering library resources to everyone.
Most events take place at Dakota County Library and local park locations.
To view all events and to register, visit www.dakotacounty.us/library, and click Events
Library’s Self-Service Hours expands
Visitors to some Dakota County Library locations now have more opportunity to access the library with the introduction of Self-Service Hours. Individuals 18 years or older can sign up to independently use the library 6 a.m.–11 p.m., seven days a week, including holidays. All library locations will have Self-Service Hours yet this year.
Self-Service Hours allows visitors to access computers and Wi-Fi, reserve and use meeting rooms, and check out books, materials and more. Security cameras have been installed throughout the library to offer customer peace of mind. All existing library policies must be followed, and registered customers are responsible for guests they bring in.
To learn more or register for Self-Service Hours, visit www.dakotacounty.us/library, search self-service.
More hours, more fun
Self-Service Hours is available at the following library locations:
• Burnhaven
• Farmington
• Heritage
• Inver Glen
• Pleasant Hill
• Robert Trail
• Wescott
Takin’ it to the streets
Crews are getting to work this summer on new roundabouts and resurfacing on Dakota County roads. The following are just some of the projects occurring around the county.
Eagan and Burnsville
Resurface Cliff Road (County Road 32) from Highway 13 to Interstate 35E. Includes pedestrian ramp, crosswalk and signal upgrades. Late fall completion.
Lakeville
Construct major improvements on Dodd Boulevard from Glasgow Way to Pilot Knob Road (County Road 31). October completion.
Burnsville
Construct roundabout at County Road 11 and Burnsville Parkway. Aug. 30 completion.
Vermillion and Nininger townships
Construct a roundabout at County Road 46 (160th Street East) and Goodwin Avenue (County Road 85). Late fall completion.
Don’t trash e-waste
Dakota County residents can bring unwanted electronic items to The Recycling Zone in Eagan for proper disposal. Residents should not place electronics in home recycling and trash bins because they have components that are harmful to human health and the environment. Recycling these items at The Recycling Zone is a great way to help conserve resources and avoids air and water pollution. All data is destroyed to U.S. Department of Defense standards.
For more information, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search recycling zone.
The Recycling Zone accepts these electronics:
• Answering machines
• Computer equipment (keyboards, mouse, towers, hard drives, modems, etc.)
• DVD and VCR players
• Desktop printers, copiers and scanners
• Electronic games systems (Wii, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo DS, Leap Frog, VTech, etc.)
• Fax machines
• iPods, MP3 and other portable media players
• Laptops
• Monitors ($10 each)
• Stereos and radios
• Tablets and readers
• Telephones (including cellphones and smartphones)
• Televisions ($10 each)
News for you
Get the latest county news emailed to you by subscribing to Dakota County’s e-news service. Go to www.dakotacounty.us, search e-news.
Topics include:
• Library and park events
• County meeting agendas
• Public safety updates
• Recycling information
• Health services
• Public notices and more
Dakota County Board
Mike Slavik
District 1
651-438-4427
Joe Atkins District 2 651-438-4430
Laurie Halverson District 3 651-438-4429
William Droste District 4
Liz Workman District 5
Mary Liz Holberg District 6
Mary Hamann-Roland District 7
651-438-4431
651-438-4243
651-438-4411
651-438-4428
Email: board@co.dakota.mn.us Web: www.dakotacounty.us
