Commissioner Laurie Halverson will lead the Dakota County Board of Commissioners in 2026.
Halverson was elected chair by her fellow commissioners Tuesday, Jan. 6. Halverson succeeded Commissioner Mike Slavik, who was county board chair in 2025.
Halverson represents District 3, which includes the cities of Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake and Eagan Precincts 1–12. She has served on the county board since 2021.
Halverson outlined key county priorities and issues for the next 12 months.
“2026 is going to be a big year — it's going to be a 'buckle-up" year," Halverson said. “It is a year that we're going to ask everybody to do their very best, and I know they will."
The county will celebrate high-profile building and service projects in 2026. They include:
- Reopening of the renovated Wentworth Library in West St. Paul.
- Construction on a new household hazardous waste and recycling facility in Lakeville.
- Renovation of Burnhaven Library in Burnsville.
- Expansion of greenways in Mendota Heights and elsewhere.
Halverson said there is hard work ahead at the Minnesota Legislature and at the federal level to advocate for state funding and improvements to county services.
The county will also administer elections this year, finish transportation projects to enhance safety and address traffic, and work on ways to make social service resources more accessible for families.
Dakota County also faces a year of “hard conversations and tough choices" on its budget, Halverson said.
The county will be transparent about the budget and communicate with residents about county budget plans and how they impact property taxes and county services.
“It's going to be a big year, but we've got a lot of expertise to bring to the table," Halverson said.
Commissioner Bill Droste will be board vice chair for 2026. Commissioner Liz Workman will chair the board's General Government and Policy Committee. Commissioner Mary Liz Holberg will lead the Physical Development Committee of the Whole. Slavik will lead the Community Services Committee of the Whole. Commissioner Mary Hamann-Roland will serve as Regional Railroad Authority chair.
For more information, visit the Board of Commissioners page.