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Greetings,
I hope you are enjoying my electronic newsletters, and find them interesting and informative about county activities. In addition to my monthly newsletter, the county sends various newsletters and notifications available by email or text message. To explore the many opportunities to subscribe or to change your preferences, visit the subscription webpage.
Please feel free to send me your comments through my feedback form on issues that concern you or you would like covered. I value your opinions.
Warm regards,
Jan Callison
December 12, 2017
Board approves 2018 budget
The
board voted to approve the county’s 2018 budget of $2.4
billion, $285.7 million more than the 2017 adjusted budget. The
budget includes a net property tax levy of $788.6 million, an
increase of $29.2 million over the 2017 final net property tax
levy. The final property tax levy increase of 3.84 percent is less than
the preliminary property tax levy increase of 4.95 percent.
This budget supports some of the county’s most vulnerable
residents and remains grounded in the county’s mission to enhance the health,
safety and quality of life of residents.
Budget priorities
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Adult detention initiative: providing alternatives to jail for low-risk
offenders who do not need to be detained, but who may benefit from
behavioral health services, or who could be supervised using a variety of
detention and processing strategies.
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Child well-being: working to identify at-risk families earlier and
providing practical supports to address the root causes of abuse and
neglect.
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Competitive workforce: developing career paths for people who face
barriers to employment and providing county employees living wages and
competitive benefits to compete with other sectors for talent.
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Hennepin Health: leveraging health and human services to identify
and address social determinants of health across our community and improve
health and wellness outcomes for county residents.
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Regional medical examiner
facility: supporting construction
of a larger, improved medical examiner facility to equip staff to handle
growing case volumes and help train, recruit and retain the most qualified
forensic science professionals.
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Transit and transportation: investing in a sustainable transportation system
that ensures residents have access to transit choices while traveling to
the places they live, work, learn and more.
The board approved the
Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority budget of $11.2
million and levy of $8.5 million. Read more.
The board also approved the
Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority budget of $109 million and
levy of $36 million. Read more.
Youth Sports program reaches $20 million milestone
The board awarded $1.9 million of Hennepin County Youth Sports
grants Tuesday, meaning the program has now provided more than $20 million to
organizations across the county.
Since it began in 2009, Youth Sports has awarded 21.7 million
for 136 facility projects, 260 small equipment projects, 10 playground
projects, and water safety lessons. Proceeds from the Twins ballpark sales tax
support this program.
The board awarded grants to the following organizations
to improve or expand facilities:
- City of Champlin
- City of Edina
- City of Golden Valley
- City of Loretto
- City of Maple Grove
- City of Saint Louis Park
- Hopkins Schools
- Minneapolis Park and Recreation
Board
- Minneapolis Public
Schools
- Orono School
District
- Richfield Public Schools
- Saint Anthony-New Brighton
Schools
The board also awarded small equipment grants to several
organizations.
Learn more about these funding awards.
Learn more about the county's Youth Sports program.
Board approves 2018 legislative platform
The board approved its 2018 legislative platform, priorities the
board and county administration will support during pre-session committee
meetings and once the legislature convenes in February.
Priorities include:
- Regional medical examiner's
facility
- Child protection
- Mental health
- Systems modernization
- Safety-net health services
- Housing
Pohlad Family Foundation funding will prevent homelessness
The board accepted a $500,000 grant from the Pohlad Family
Foundation to support families and youth at risk of or currently experiencing
homelessness. Grant funding will help people at risk of eviction and those
requiring homelessness prevention services.
Read more about this round of grant funding.
Read more about the Pohlad Family Foundation.
January 12, 2018
Grants available for projects that prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species
Local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, institutions and companies in Hennepin County can apply now for funding to implement projects that prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Funding in the past year was used to expand inspections at public accesses, empower volunteers to conduct monitoring and early detection efforts, install boat cleaning stations, research management methods and pathways of spread, and increase education and outreach. See the 2017 accomplishment reports for more information about these projects.
Applications for this round are due by January 12, 2018. Learn more and apply.
For more information, contact Tony Brough at tony.brough@hennepin.us or 612-348-4378.
2018 board meeting calendar
The board established board and committee meeting dates and
times for 2018.
The board's organizational meeting will be held January 2, 2018 at 1:30 pm.
View the calendar.
Spring 2018 Citizens Academy Registration
Registration is now open for the 2018 spring session of the Hennepin County Citizens Academy. The Hennepin County Citizens Academy is an opportunity to learn
about the functions of Hennepin County, tour unique areas, and meet county
leaders.
The 8-week session begins on March 21, 2018, and runs on
Wednesday evenings, from 6:30 – 9 p.m. The sessions are held throughout
the county including the cities of Brooklyn Center, Medina, Minneapolis, and
Plymouth. Attendees must be at least 18 years old. A few of the
sites are accessible via mass transit; however, most would require a personal
vehicle. Carpooling is encouraged.
You may register by clicking on
the “register for the spring 2018 session” below. This link will take you
directly to the Eventbrite website to complete your registration.
Register for
the spring 2018 session.
For more information regarding the academy, you may go to the
website www.Hennepin.us/citizensacademy
or call 612-348-5130.
More than 1,000 trees planted throughout Hennepin County this fall
 Hennepin County foresters had a busy fall working with partners and volunteers to transplant more than 1,000 trees from the county’s gravel-bed nursery to sites in 17 cities throughout the county.
The trees were planted for a variety of reasons, including to enhance and diversify the tree canopy, mitigate for impacts of the emerald ash borer, restore ecosystems, and produce fruit to donate to those in need. Highlights from the planting season include:
- More than 500 trees were planted along county roads to enhance the tree canopy and replace ash trees. These projects often involved community volunteers and partnerships with cities.
- Plantings at county facilities and libraries will help enhance the tree canopy, proactively replace ash trees, and restore ecosystems.
- Fruit tree orchards were planted at two schools and a park with the help of students and community volunteers. The fruit from these orchards will be donated to people in need.
- About 345 trees were planted on three conservation easements as part of ongoing efforts to restore ecosystems.
The county’s Sentencing to Service program has been an important partner, with crews providing helpful assistance at nearly every planting. In addition to improving the environment, using trees from the gravel-bed nursery and working with partners and volunteers saved the county at least $170,000 this planting season.
For more information, contact Dustin Ellis at dustin.ellis@hennepin.us or 612-348-2259.
Business recycling grants
68 businesses received recycling grants from Hennepin County in 2017. See a list of who received grants, find out more, and apply for a 2018 grant for your business here.
Operating Director Opening
We are currently looking for an operations director for our human services and public health area. The operations director will oversee staff training, contract management, and more. Apply by January 8, 2018. For more information and to apply click here.
 As you travel this winter, please slow down and take your time. The county fleet has been working hard this winter to maintain Hennepin County's 2,200 lane miles of county roads. You will see them out spreading anti-icing materials on county roads and clearing snow during storms. Please remember to slow down, be alert, and give our crews room to work.
To find out how we prepare for storms and clean up after visit here.
Beware of thin ice on lakes
With the subzero temperatures, the ice on our area lakes may look safe and inviting, but there are still several parts of area lakes that have thin ice and should be considered dangerous to be on for recreation. Be especially aware of channels. If you see thin ice signs, please do not go on the ice.
 The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of seven districts. I am proud to represent Deephaven, north Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, northern Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.
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Jan Callison
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886
Allyson Sellwood
Policy Aide
612-348-6885
Christine Hoyles
Administrative Assistant
612-348-3168
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