HF2894 Summary

• Dakota County may establish subordinate service districts to provide and finance public safety services, including 911 access and county sheriff patrols, with revenues from within those districts only.

• Service districts may be created by county board resolution or by petition signed by 5% of qualified voters in the proposed district, with public hearings required before creation.

• A referendum may be triggered by petition of 5% of qualified voters in the proposed district prior to the effective date; majority voter approval is required for the district to be established.

• Upon creation, the county board shall include financing provisions in its next annual budget, which may include property taxes levied only within the district boundaries, service charges to users, or a combination thereof.

• Service districts may be expanded by the same procedures, withdrawn by petition of 10% of qualified voters, and automatically expire when all property within the district is annexed by municipalities providing public safety services.