Topic: Financing a Free Regional Park
Speaker: Jeff Bransford, PMP, CPRP, Administrative Manager, Dakota County Parks Department
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Join your GFOA colleagues for a chance to commune with nature at Dakota County’s largest park! This is our first post-pandemic live gathering, and there will be plenty of space, good company, and fresh air. We will meet at the Jensen Lake Trailhead Picnic Shelter at 11:30 AM. A box lunch from Panera is included, with a choice of steak, turkey, or vegetarian sandwiches, with chips and a cookie. Bottled water will be provided. Restrooms are available at the Trailhead. Bring your favorite walking shoes and join some of the group for a hike around Jensen Lake after the meeting.
Jeff Bransford will provide an overview of the approach taken by Dakota County to finance the operations and capital improvements for Lebanon Hills Regional Park and the entire Dakota County Park and Greenway System. His presentation will include strategies to utilize tax levy revenue, special assessments, and external funds through regional, state, and federal sources. Jeff will also speak to policies and frameworks the County has developed to manage operational cost recovery, prioritize capital projects, and collaborate with cities to deliver facilities and services.
Speaker
Jeff Bransford serves as the Administrative Manager of the Dakota County Parks & Greenway System. Jeff manages the development and implementation of a $100M five-year Capital Improvement Program aimed at preserving the County’s natural and cultural resources, creating opportunities for recreation and education, and providing accessible and inclusive experiences for all visitors. Prior to joining Dakota County, he worked for 15 years a management consultant developing plans and studies for nearly 200 government and nonprofit agencies. Jeff began his career as a park ranger for the National Park Service, and is actively pursuing a personal goal to visit all 400+ units of the National Park System.
Location: Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Jensen Lake Trailhead
Time: Wednesday, August 18, 11:30 AM – 12:30, or as late as you like
Menu: A box lunch from Panera is included, with a choice of steak, turkey, or vegetarian sandwiches, with chips and a cookie. Bottled water will be provided.
Cost: $15, please register by Friday, August 13 so we can get an accurate count for lunch
