Dakota County Government

09/04/2026

Our service and license centers will be closed Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of Labor Day. They will reopen during regular business hours on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

09/04/2026

Here's an opportunity for local job-seekers: CareerForce West St. Paul will host at least a half-dozen employers and community resources at a hiring event Thursday, Sept. 10 from 2–4 p.m. at the Northern Service Center. Join us!

09/03/2026

Get outdoors and explore Dakota County Parks!
From hiking to canoeing, archery and more, there’s an adventure waiting for you.
Learn more about events and dates here: https://dakotacountymn.gov/parks/programs-events

09/03/2026

Dakota County on Thursday, Sept. 3 closed the beach at Lake Byllesby Regional Park for the season due to high E. coli levels.

Lake Byllesby Beach will not re-open in 2026, however the campground and other park amenities remain open. There are no reports of illnesses from swimmers at the beach. County staff collect weekly summer water samples that are tested for E. coli bacteria.

Get up-to-date information on results from lake water quality testing here: https://dakotacountymn.gov/residents/land-water/pools-beaches

If you believe you became ill after swimming, contact the Minnesota Department of Health at 1-877-FOOD-ILL (1-877-366-3455).

Reports can also be submitted through an online complaint survey here: https://redcap.health.state.mn.us/redcap/surveys/?s=ANAYHANDAKHDTWR4

09/02/2026

A broken sprinkler head or leaking irrigation system can waste a surprising amount of water—and drought is a good time to make sure every drop counts.
Take a few minutes to give your irrigation system a sprinkler tune-up:
• Check sprinkler heads, valves and controllers for leaks or breaks.
• Make sure sprinkler heads pop up fully and aren't tilted.
• Redirect sprinklers that are watering sidewalks, driveways or other hard surfaces.
• Water during the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.
Find more ways to conserve water at home: https://dakotacountymn.gov/residents/land-water/groundwater/water-conservation

09/02/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Month. Talking openly about su***de can help reduce stigma, increase awareness and make it easier for people to reach out when they need support.

This month, we’re sharing resources to help you learn more about su***de prevention, mental health and wellbeing. CredibleMind offers free, evidence-informed resources to help you find support and information when you need it.

Visit CredibleMind’s website: https://dakotacountymn.gov/residents/support/adult-mental-health/training/crediblemind

09/01/2026

Every child deserves a loving home, and you could give them one. Dakota County’s Foster Care program needs compassionate individuals who are interested in becoming foster parents. Children of all ages in Dakota County are looking for a home where they can learn and grow.
Learn more about Dakota County’s foster care program on our website at: https://dakotacountymn.gov/residents/support/foster-care/child

08/31/2026

Xcel Energy experienced a substation malfunction Sunday evening near the Byllesby Dam, which resulted in a power outage to the area. There were no disruptions to safe operations at the dam.
Xcel Energy is working on its substation repairs, and power is expected to be restored Monday afternoon.
Water management controls at the dam were not affected by the outage, and the dam will continue to operate safely.
For power restoration updates, visit Xcel Energy’s Power Outage Map:

Track electric outages and Public Safety Power Outages (PSPS) events near you, get near real-time updates and find resources to keep you safe.

08/31/2026

Attention residents!
The first half of Manufactured Home taxes are due today, Aug. 31. Dakota County offers several ways for residents to pay. You can pay online, by phone, by mail or in-person.
Mailed payments must be postmarked by the end of today, Aug. 31 to avoid late penalties.
Learn more about payment options on our website at: https://dakotacountymn.gov/residents/home-property/paying-property-taxes

08/28/2026

We’re experiencing drought conditions in Dakota County, and your lawn can help conserve water.
Lawns only need about 1 inch of water—including rainfall—per week. Watering more doesn’t necessarily make your lawn healthier, in fact, overwatering can encourage disease and keep grass roots short, making your lawn less hardy during dry periods.
Before turning on the sprinkler:
• Check how much rain your lawn has received. If it needs water, water deeply and infrequently.
• Water in the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.
• Use a tuna can or similar container to measure how much water your sprinkler is putting down.
Small changes to how we water can add up. Local communities use up to five times more water in summer than winter, largely because of lawn irrigation.
Learn more water conservation tips: https://dakotacountymn.gov/residents/land-water/groundwater/water-conservation