Board hears MSA proposal for a $118,755 comprehensive‑plan update with ArcGIS implementation dashboard
May 12, 2026 | Dallas County, Iowa
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The Dallas County Board of Supervisors received a public‑hearing packet and professional services agreement from MSA Professional Services for a countywide comprehensive plan update.
MSA’s agreement is a lump‑sum, not‑to‑exceed $118,755 fee and outlines a five‑phase approach: project initiation and stakeholder engagement; existing conditions and opportunity analysis; vision, goals and plan development; an implementation phase with an ArcGIS Online implementation dashboard; and draft plan review and adoption. MSA representatives listed in the packet include Sarah Runkel, AICP (project manager), and Chris Janson, AICP (senior team leader). Dallas County planning staff (David Hockett, Director of Planning & Development) is the county contact noted in the contract.
The proposed schedule in the packet anticipates project start in April 2026 with completion targeted for September 2027. Deliverables identified include ESRI‑compatible GIS files, a web StoryMap for public engagement, an ArcGIS‑based implementation dashboard transferred to county ownership, and final formatted plan documents. The scope also emphasizes coordination with municipalities and townships and a focus on actionable implementation items with assigned responsible parties.
Why it matters: A county comprehensive plan sets long‑range guidance for land use, transportation and county services. The addition of an ArcGIS implementation dashboard is intended to help the county track actions, responsible parties and funding sources over time.
What’s next: The item was listed as a public hearing and agreement (MSA Project No. R22058001). If the board approves the agreement, MSA will proceed with the tasks outlined in Attachment A and the county will receive GIS layers and the dashboard for continued use and maintenance.
Sources: MSA professional services agreement, Attachment A scope of services, and contract terms included in the board packet (May 12, 2026).
MSA’s agreement is a lump‑sum, not‑to‑exceed $118,755 fee and outlines a five‑phase approach: project initiation and stakeholder engagement; existing conditions and opportunity analysis; vision, goals and plan development; an implementation phase with an ArcGIS Online implementation dashboard; and draft plan review and adoption. MSA representatives listed in the packet include Sarah Runkel, AICP (project manager), and Chris Janson, AICP (senior team leader). Dallas County planning staff (David Hockett, Director of Planning & Development) is the county contact noted in the contract.
The proposed schedule in the packet anticipates project start in April 2026 with completion targeted for September 2027. Deliverables identified include ESRI‑compatible GIS files, a web StoryMap for public engagement, an ArcGIS‑based implementation dashboard transferred to county ownership, and final formatted plan documents. The scope also emphasizes coordination with municipalities and townships and a focus on actionable implementation items with assigned responsible parties.
Why it matters: A county comprehensive plan sets long‑range guidance for land use, transportation and county services. The addition of an ArcGIS implementation dashboard is intended to help the county track actions, responsible parties and funding sources over time.
What’s next: The item was listed as a public hearing and agreement (MSA Project No. R22058001). If the board approves the agreement, MSA will proceed with the tasks outlined in Attachment A and the county will receive GIS layers and the dashboard for continued use and maintenance.
Sources: MSA professional services agreement, Attachment A scope of services, and contract terms included in the board packet (May 12, 2026).
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