Government

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,...

Voters in Dakota County narrowed the District 1 county commissioner race to two candidates on Tuesday in the primary election. Incumbent Mike Slavik of Hastings advanced, as did Farmington's Mark Henry. Slavik received 1,940 votes, Henry 640 and Farmington City Council member Terry...

The days are limited for Farmington’s outdoor pool, and whether it will be replaced may ultimately be up to the community’s voters. That seems to be the direction the city of Farmington is moving after discussing a proposed aquatic center and other recreational needs at a June...

After 28 years on the Farmington Police Department, sergeant Kevin Mincke has taken his retirement. But not without a fight. On Monday, the Farmington City Council agreed to terms of a settlement agreement that restored Mincke’s title as sergeant and awarded him more than $38,000....

With the State of Minnesota considering a special session to discuss disaster relief and the capitol building currently undergoing renovations that might make meeting there a challenge, several Farmington leaders have offered a simple solution: head south. State Rep. Pat Garofalo,...

Ever wondered what it might take to become one of Farmington’s city or school leaders? A workshop later this month can help answer some of those questions. Farmington Community Education is partnering with the city of Farmington to offer a workshop to anyone thinking of running...

With a proposed 6.6 percent net tax levy increase on the books for 2015, Farmington City Council members have officially started their budgeting process. At a Monday workshop, council members got the first look at the proposed general fund and debt service fund budgets and tax levies...

Farmington finance director Robin Hanson is not ready to make any projections when it comes to the 2015 budget and levy. But give it a month or two, and she’ll have a much better handle on both. The Farmington City Council will meet with Hanson and city staff on Monday to start...

Farmington city council member Doug Bonar has likened the city’s new strategic plan to an onion. Onions, after all, have many layers. So does the proposed strategic plan. Introduced to the city council in draft form as part of Monday’s regular meeting, the strategic plan is the...