Dakota County Election Results: Voters Approve Education Funds and Fill Board Seats
Dakota County residents made their voices heard at the polls on Tuesday, approving education funds and filling vacant school board seats. The elections saw a significant turnout, with voters demonstrating their commitment to supporting local education. In this article, we will delve into the details of the elections, exploring what was on the ballot, what passed, and how homeowners will be impacted.
Farmington Election Results
In Farmington, voters approved an operating levy that will provide approximately $1,236.60 per student annually, generating about $8 million per year for 10 years. The levy, which passed with more than 57% of the vote, aims to sustain current class sizes, maintain literacy and math instruction, strengthen elementary enrichment opportunities, and expand middle and high school career pathway options. According to the district, the funds will be allocated to support various educational initiatives, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education.
Homeowners in the area can expect to see their property taxes increase by about $534 annually, or $45 per month, due to the passing referendum. However, it’s worth noting that previously approved levies will expire in 2027 and 2031, resulting in a reduction of overall property taxes at those times. The district has provided a clear breakdown of the levy’s impact on taxpayers, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Hastings Election Results
In the Hastings school district, ISD 200, voters elected Elaine K. Mikel-Mulder in a special election to fill a vacant school board seat. Mikel-Mulder won with more than 60% of the vote, demonstrating her strong support within the community. The seat was formerly held by Jenny Wiederholt-Pine, who passed away in February. Wiederholt-Pine was a dedicated district soccer coach, restaurant co-owner, avid equestrian, wife, and mother, leaving a lasting legacy in the community.
Elaine Mikel-Mulder (Courtesy of the candidate)
Mikel-Mulder, a mother, attorney, and Hastings alumna, was elected to fill the remainder of Wiederholt-Pine’s term. She has expressed her commitment to honoring Wiederholt-Pine’s legacy and continuing her work in the community. Mikel-Mulder’s term will run from January 5, 2026, until January 1, 2029, providing stability and continuity to the school board.
Lakeville Election Results
Lakeville voters overwhelmingly approved a request to renew an expiring capital projects levy, which was first passed in 2015. The levy, which passed with nearly 70% of the vote, will continue to generate roughly $4 million annually for 10 years. The funds will be allocated to support education technology, including projectors, TVs, cybersecurity systems, and equipment and software for K-12 STEM education and career-focused courses.
A renewal of the levy means that taxes will be maintained at the current level, resulting in no new tax increase for homeowners. The district has emphasized the importance of this levy in supporting student learning and academic success. In addition to the levy, voters in the district, ISD 194, elected Tony Reichenberger to the school board, unseating incumbent Brett Nicholson. Reichenberger, a father and former attorney, won with 51% of the vote and has pledged to invest in teachers, collaborate with the community, and improve the reputation of the district’s school board.
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Election Results
Nearly 68% of voters in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district voted to renew and increase an expiring technology capital projects levy. The levy, which was first approved in 2015, will be increased to 5.015%, generating an additional $6.4 million annually. This will result in approximately $15.5 million annually in technology funding for the next 10 years. The technology levy will directly support classroom instruction by funding student learning devices, digital tools, cybersecurity, communications systems, computer science education, and career and technical education.
Homeowners in the area with an estimated market-value home of $400,000 can expect to see their annual property taxes increase by about $85, or $7 per month, due to the passing referendum. The district has provided a clear explanation of the levy’s impact on taxpayers, ensuring transparency and accountability. In addition to the levy, voters in the district, ISD 196, elected Leah Gardner, Robin Cerio, and Sakawdin Mohamed in the general school board election. Each of the newly elected members is an Eagan resident and will serve a term from January 2026 to January 2030.
For more information on the Dakota County election results, including detailed breakdowns of the votes and levy allocations, visit Here
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