Dakota County Seeking Citizen Advisors

Editor's Note: The following is a press release from Dakota County.

The Dakota County Board of Commissioners receives advice from a variety of volunteer committees. The board invites residents to join a Citizen Advisory Committee and make a difference in local government.

The Dakota-Scott Workforce Investment Board oversees the activities of the Workforce Centers in Dakota and Scott County.  In partnership with the Dakota County Board, the Workforce Investment Board determines methods and delivery systems to assure the best possible mix of programs and services for eligible Dakota and Scott County citizens.  The Board meets monthly on the third Friday in West St. Paul.

The Community Corrections Advisory Board discusses and makes formal recommendations to the County Board on the comprehensive plan for corrections programs and services. It meets four times per year in West St. Paul.

The Extension Committee, in partnership with the University of Minnesota, assists in approving programs, establishing the budget, and evaluating staff to enhance Extension programs. The committee meets bi-monthly in Farmington.

The Human Services Advisory Committee studies and discusses topics relating to the human service areas that Minnesota counties are responsible for including social services, public health, and income maintenance.  The Committee meets monthly in West St. Paul.

The Library Board participates in planning library facilities and services, sets operating policies for the Library System and prepares the annual budget.  The board meets monthly at various library locations.

The Personnel Board of Appeals provides the County Board with impartial analysis concerning appeals filed by employees or job applicants. Board members must have 10 or more years of managerial experience or comparable qualifications. Board members may not have a contractual, commercial or professional relationship with Dakota County. The board meets for full-day or half-day hearings as needed in Hastings.

The Planning Commission reviews plans and proposals and makes policy recommendations to the County Board in the following areas; transportation, transit, parks, trails and greenways, land conservation, water resources, and environmental management. The Planning Commission may review capital projects or be asked by the County Board to address emerging issues that impact the physical or natural infrastructure of Dakota County.  In addition, the Planning Commission considers conditional use permits in the shoreland and floodplain areas of Dakota County. The committee meets monthly or as necessary in Apple Valley.

The Public Art Citizen Advisory Committee recommends art projects for county buildings to the County Board. The committee meets monthly in Apple Valley.

The Special Board of Appeal and Equalization hears appeals from property owners regarding property valuation or classification of properties. One member must be a real estate appraiser, or be familiar with county property valuation. The board meets in Apple Valley annually in June.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment evaluates and makes decisions on variance requests and appeals pertaining to the shoreland and floodplain management regulations in township areas; its decisions are the final administrative decision by the County. The Board meets as needed in Apple Valley.

Please see the Dakota County Web site, http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Government/CAC/Pages/default.aspx, for detailed information about these various committees, commissioner district information and specific openings and qualifications. Incumbents may be eligible for reappointment. Citizen advisory committee applications are retained for one year.

Dakota County residents interested in serving on a committee can call County Administration at 651-438-4418 for an application. The application deadline is Dec. 7, or until all openings are filled.