The programs and services provided by county government are broad and benefit all residents, from the youngest infant to the eldest adult. While much of what we do is mandated by the state, all of what we do is directly for people.
Saving
As deputies in the Sheriff’s Office save lives, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners saves money. Whether enforcing traffic laws, arresting criminals, recovering stolen property or responding to crime scenes, Dakota County law enforcement officials improve the quality of life for county residents. At the same time, the county’s seven commissioners improve residents’ lives by holding the line on spending and keeping one of the lowest county tax rates in Minnesota.
Maintaining
While the Transportation Department maintains quality roads and bridges, the Dakota County Library maintains premier places for residents to relax and enjoy all that the library has to offer. A quality transportation system of more than 440 miles of roads and 81 bridges gets people where they need to go. Meanwhile, our nine library locations offer everyone easy access to online resources, bestselling books and ever-changing technology.
Protecting
The county is protective, whether of the environment through the Land Conservation Program, or of its children through Social Services. Since 1999, nearly 7,500 acres of natural and agricultural areas within county lines have been protected. In that same time, children across the county received protection to be kept away from things no child should experience—physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.
Preparing
Preparation is key to keeping Dakota County operations effective and efficient. That’s why we do everything from preparing for disaster with Emergency Preparedness to preparing our residents for progress with our CareerForce Centers. Whether the county encounters a nuclear disaster or an influenza outbreak, we’ve got plans in place to respond. And whether our residents want to change careers or just update their resume, we provide all the resources they need to succeed.