LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Stalled project hurts city's budget 
Like a recurring nightmare, the long delayed Vermillion River Crossings development is haunting the Farmington City Council once again.
Originally proposed to be a commercial development that would bring a hotel, a “big box” anchor and multiple stores to the site just south of County Road 50, the project has more or less ceased to be.
The infrastructure is in place, but the businesses that were supposed to pay for it are not.
By Michelle Leonard , July 29, 2010
Filing starts Aug. 3 for council race
If you’ve ever entertained the thought of running for the Farmington City Council, it’s time to start thinking a little more seriously.
By Michelle Leonard , July 25, 2010
Survey finds Farmington makes a good first impression
Everyone wants to make a good first impression. Apparently, Farmington has, but now city officials need to figure out how to market it.
Earlier this summer, the city of Farmington’s planning staff played host to city planners from Apple Valley, Golden Valley, Burnsville, South St. Paul, and the Metropolitan Council. On a warm June afternoon, just as the Dew Days celebration was about to kick off, the guests took a two-hour tour of Farmington.
By Michelle Leonard , July 22, 2010
City spent $6,400 on Dew Days
Though community volunteers plan Farmington’s annual Dew Days celebration, the festival also relies on some help from the city of Farmington.
Besides the events city staff plan, there are extra police on duty, the sanitation crews have to keep the community clean and seasonal staff help with events like the Dew Run. It’s not a burden - it’s just the way it is in Farmington.
By Michelle Leonard , July 22, 2010
County stands to lose more state aid this year
Dakota County has lost another $2.8 million in state revenue.
When the Minnesota Legislature completed its most recent session in May, it had fixed the state’s current shortfall of close to $1 billion and expected $4.3 billion shortfall for the 2010-2011 biennium.
By Jane Lightbourn , July 19, 2010
Roundabout is doing its job
There was a time, not so long ago, when the “new” roundabout on Highway 3 was an educational experience for drivers in Farmington. These days, though, it’s become more of a simple fact of life.
By Michelle Leonard , July 19, 2010
Trail system will grow
If you’re feeling like you’d like to take a really long walk one of these days, you’re in luck. By this fall, you should be able to walk all the way down Pilot Knob Road, and right over to Lakeville.
By Michelle Leonard , July 15, 2010
Pool aims for an older crowd
Farmington's municipal pool has long been a source of summer fun for Farmington kids, but this season the city wants to open up the opportunities to a new age bracket.
By Nathan Hansen , July 08, 2010
County targets polluted property
A pair of $200,000 grants should help Dakota County get a handful of polluted properties ready for redevelopment in the next three years.
By Nathan Hansen , July 08, 2010
City does networking on the cheep
The city of Farmington is expanding its social network, 140 characters at a time.
By Nathan Hansen , July 02, 2010
After a delay, budget gets OK
In the end, District 192 School Board members offered thanks but no changes to parents who had raised concerns about projected class sizes.
The school board voted 5-1 Monday to approve a preliminary budget unchanged from the one they were set to vote on in May. The board delayed that decision when a group of parents objected to projections that showed as many as 31 students in some elementary classrooms.
By Nathan Hansen , July 01, 2010
County will pay more for auto insurance
As of July 1, Dakota County will have a new commercial automobile insurance company: Travelers Insurance.
By Jane Lightbourn , June 29, 2010
City will pay $21,000 to Exchange Bank developers
It took the owners of the Exchange Bank building nearly a decade to fulfill their end of a purchase agreement with the city of Farmington, but it’s the city that has to pay up in the end.
By Michelle Leonard , June 24, 2010
Budget is a work in progress
While some of Farmington’s city staff are busy getting ready for this weekend’s Dew Days celebrations, others have tasks that aren’t as much fun to think about. Like, for instance, paring down requests and working up a budget that Farmington City Council members will approve.
By Michelle Leonard , June 19, 2010
Lind recommended as interim head of dispatch center
The Dakota Communications Center executive committee has recommended Diane Lind be named the interim executive director for the center. The board of directors will vote June 17 on whether to approve the recommendation.
By Emily Zimmer , June 18, 2010
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