Children can get hands-on this summer with the vehicles that help keep Dakota County safe.
The Mighty Machines series returns Thursday, June 16 from 9:30–11:30 a.m. at Farmington Library, 508 Third St. Children ages 2 and up can climb inside a sampling of county vehicles, including a snowplow, street sweeper and airboat.
The free events will be held at various county libraries through July 21.
The event showcases some of Dakota County's 420-vehicle fleet, which in May was honored as the top operation of its kind at the national Government Fleet Expo and Conference. Fifteen Dakota County employees maintain all the vehicles — driven by everyone from sheriff's deputies to snow truck operators — which travel about 2.7 million miles annually.
Dakota County in 2007 brought all 16 departments' vehicles under the Fleet Management umbrella, which has improved cost savings and accountability for the vehicles driven by more than 500 different employees.
“With this countywide approach, we were able to improve our programs to the point that Dakota County is seen as leading best practices in the industry across North America," Fleet Manager Kevin Schlangen said.
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