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Media contact:
David Hough, Hennepin County administrator, 612-348-4260
Carolyn Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969
Hennepin County Administrator David Hough on Tuesday
proposed to the Board of Commissioners a 2018 budget of $2.4 billion. The
operating portion of this budget totals $1.9 billion dollars, an increase of
$180.9 million dollars from the adjusted 2017 budget.
The capital portion totals $433.3 million dollars, an
increase of $99 million or 29.6 percent over the adjusted 2017 amount.
The net property tax levy proposed is $796.9 million, an
increase of 4.95 percent compared to last year. Property tax covers 33 percent
of the overall county budget. The remainder of the budget is funded through
state and federal sources, fees and services, and other revenues.
Facing challenges
A growing population is a challenge the county faces. The
regional population is expected to grow by more than 700,000 people by 2040.
“Nonetheless, along with population growth the demands for services grow,” said
Hough.
This requires staff to fulfill client responsibilities. “The
cost of personnel, both salary and benefits, has increased,” said Hough. Personnel
comprises nearly 34.5 percent of the operating budget.
New revenue
The budget includes sources of new revenues including a new
sales and use transportation tax approved earlier this year that is $125
million annually to cover capital and operating costs of the county’s
transportation vision and goals.
Capital budget
Some of the key drivers of the proposed 2018 capital budget
include:
- $150.0 million toward the advancement and
construction of critical transitways including the Southwest Light Rail,
Bottineau Light Rail and Bus Rapid Transit Orange Line.
- $75.0 million toward the county’s demonstrated
office space shortfall including the potential purchase of the adjacent Thrivent
office building for $55 million and a potential purchase of 332 parking spaces
for approximately $11.5 million.
- $18.0 million toward the Medical Center’s $108.8
million Surgery Center and In-patient Bed Consolidation projects, which will
remodel space vacated by the opening of the new Clinic and Specialty Center in
spring 2018.
- $18.4 million toward the $67.6 million North
Minneapolis Community Wellness Center.
- $19.5 million toward the $69.0 million
reconstruction of Flying Cloud Drive (CSAH 61) from the county line to Charlson
Road.
- $13.1 million toward the $63.8 million
reconstruction of 66th Street (CSAH 53) from Xerxes Avenue South to
Cedar Avenue
Budget hearing schedule
The board scheduled public hearings for
adoption of the 2018 budget and levy, and set a schedule for the Budget and
Capital Investment Committee to consider the proposed 2018 budget.
The meetings will proceed as follows:
Board vote on 2018 maximum tax levy and budget
Tuesday, September 26, 1:30 p.m.
Operations/Library
Monday, September 28, 1 - 4 p.m.
Health
Thursday, October 5, 1 - 4 p.m.
Human Services
Tuesday, October 24, 9 a.m. - noon
Public Works
Tuesday, October 31, 1 - 4 p.m.
Capital Budgeting Task Force and fees
Thursday, November 2, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Public Safety
Thursday, November 21, 9 a.m. to noon
Truth-in-Taxation public meeting
Tuesday, November 28, 6 p.m. Participants can park for free
after 5 p.m. in the Government Center ramp. Enter on 3rd Avenue.
Commissioner amendments
Thursday, November 30, 9 - 11:30 a.m.
Commissioner amendments
Wednesday, December 6, 1 - 4 p.m.
County Board vote on 2018 budget and levy
Tuesday, December 12, 1:30 p.m.
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Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.
Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at www.hennepin.us/stories.
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