Government

It is a different year than other years when Dakota County has set its annual budgets and tax levies. At its regular meeting this week, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners heard the 2015 recommended budget is $356.8 million, which funds the equivalent of 1,777.1 full-time positions....

The number of mortgage foreclosure sales continues to decline throughout Minnesota. The same story is told in Dakota County numbers. According to numbers released earlier this week by the Minnesota Homeownership Center, there were 4,375 foreclosures in Minnesota in the first two...

Walking along a cemetery at night can be creepy. But knowing there are people lurking under a nearby park pavilion, but not being able to see them? Well, that can feel just plain unsafe. That’s why Farmington resident Sarah Nygard went to the Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission...

When Farmington voters go to the polls next week, one familiar name will not be on the city council ballot. Christy Jo Fogarty, a 12-year member of the Farmington City Council, has chosen to step down from her seat. “I think 12 years is enough,” Fogarty said. “I get to leave...

Lugging around a fire hose full of water while wearing heavy, fire retardant clothing is a pretty physical activity, so it’s important for firefighters to get their exercise. And now Farmington’s firefighters can be reimbursed for staying physically fit. On Monday, Farmington...

The city of Farmington is facing a potential lawsuit, brought on by former city planner, Lee Smick. Smick was fired from her position as city planner in February, after 17 years with the city of Farmington. According to Farmington city attorney Joel Jamnik, the city of Farmington...

Dakota County taxpayers may see a 2.6 percent increase in the county share of property taxes in 2015. At its regular meeting this week, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners approved a proposed 2015 property tax levy of $129,661,717, an increase of 1 percent from the 2014 levy...

A new Code of Conduct policy has been approved for Farmington’s Rambling River Center, but that’s not to say the city’s senior members are causing any problems at the center. The code of conduct was approved by the Farmington City Council at its meeting Monday. It is a two-page...

If the word “muck” dredges up visions of sloppy, wet mud, it probably should. And it turns out that removing muck from two of Farmington’s ponds could cost about $95,000. On Monday, Farmington City Council members authorized city engineer Kevin Schorzman to obtain bids for...

City of Farmington executive assistant Cindy Muller is looking for a little bit of help from the community these days. She’d like to round up 80 or so residents who would like to serve as judges for the Nov. 4 general election. And she’d like to have them lined up by next Friday. Muller...

Starting this week, private well owners in Empire, Farmington and Rosemount will receive free water testing kits to help Dakota County and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture determine if the ground water contains contaminants. In particular, the kits will test nitrate and Manganese...

No one is particularly sure why, but it seems that when the city of Farmington started its recycling program in the mid-1990s, multifamily lots — mostly apartments, but some townhomes as well — were not charged for the service. But 20 years later, that could change. At a Monday...

Farmington residents will likely see some increase in the city portion of their property taxes in the coming year if the city council backs the 2015 preliminary budget and tax levy set during the Sept. 2 meeting. Council members worked on the 2015 budget and tax levy for more than...

Farmington city administrator David McKnight is meeting or exceeding the expectations of Farmington City Council members, according to a summary of his recent annual performance review. McKnight celebrated his third anniversary with the city of Farmington on Aug. 29. In preparation,...