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