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Dakota County fires Community Development Agency director

Dakota County development chief's ouster comes after employee complaints.

By Jessie Van Berkel

March 28, 2015 at 9:53PM

Ulfers (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Dakota County Board voted this month to fire the executive director of its Community Development Agency following employee complaints.

For nearly 30 years, Mark Ulfers, 58, has been at the helm of the agency that has a $54 million operating budget and runs affordable housing and economic development programs across the county.

The agency's board, which is made up of county commissioners, met March 3 to discuss workplace complaints against Ulfers. They unanimously voted to fire him for cause, effective 60 days after he was notified. Staff from the county attorney's office also were present at the meeting.

Community Development Agency officials would not disclose any information Wednesday about the complaints.

Ulfers, too, declined to comment.

There are no criminal charges against Ulfers, said Monica Jensen, spokeswoman for the Dakota County Attorney's office.

Kari Gill, the agency's former deputy executive director, has stepped in as acting executive director.

The agency oversees more than 30 programs, funded mostly through a countywide property tax levy and state and federal grants. Those programs include home improvement loans and grants to help people pay energy bills. It also manages more than 2,500 units of affordable and senior housing.

Ulfers started at the agency in 1977 and was promoted to executive director in 1986. His salary is $161,250.

Jessie Van Berkel • 952-746-3280

about the writer

Jessie Van Berkel

Reporter

Jessie Van Berkel is the Star Tribune’s social services reporter. She writes about Minnesota’s most vulnerable populations and the systems and policies that affect them. Topics she covers include disability services, mental health, addiction, poverty, elder care and child protection.