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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 11, 2018
Board approves 2019 budget
The Hennepin County Board approved a 2019 budget of $2.4 billion. The budget includes an $830 million net property tax levy, a 5.20 percent increase from 2018.
Read more about the 2019 budget.
Voting as the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the board approved a budget of $13.1 million and levy of $10.4 million.
Read more.
Voting as the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, the board approved a budget of $44.6 million and levy of $36 million.
Read more.
Board awards 39 Youth Sports Grants
The County Board awarded 39 grants totaling nearly $2.16 million to school districts, parks and cities. Since it began in 2009, Hennepin Youth Sports has awarded $24.1 million for facility, small equipment and playground projects, along with water safety lessons. Proceeds from the Twins ballpark sales tax support this program.
The board awarded facility grants to the following organizations:
- City of New Hope
- City of Crystal
- Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
- Intermediate School District 287
- City of Bloomington
- Minneapolis Public Schools
- City of Champlin
- City of Golden Valley
- City of Eden Prairie
- Orono Independent School District
- City of Orono
- City of Greenfield
The board also awarded 25 small equipment grants. The next round of grants will be awarded in Spring 2019.
Read more about Hennepin Youth Sports.
Board authorizes draft 2040 comprehensive plan
The board authorized staff to submit the county’s draft 2040 comprehensive plan to the Metropolitan Council to review. The comprehensive plan is an overarching policy framework required by state statute that will help the county meet its stated mission.
View the related board action.
Learn more about the comprehensive plan.
January 7, 2019
2019 Oath of Office Ceremonies
There will be two oath of office ceremonies for the Hennepin County Elected Officials following the November, 2018 elections.
Ceremony one:
Who: Commissioner Marion Greene, Commissioner-elect Angela Conley, and Commissioner-elect Irene Fernando
When: Monday, January 7, 2019
11:00 AM
Where: Board Room, A2400 Government Center
300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis
Ceremony two:
Who: County Attorney Mike Freeman and County Sheriff-elect David Hutchinson
When: Monday, January 7, 2019
1:00 PM
Where: Board Room, A2400 Government Center
300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis
January 8, 2019
2019 Board Organizational Meeting
The county board will meet to vote on the 2019 leadership of the board and the 2019 committees and organizations that Commissioners will serve on.
When: Tuesday, January 8, 2019
1:30 PM
Where: Board Room, A2400 Government Center
300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis
Eden Prairie Library closing for renovations
 The library will be closed for renovation beginning Monday, January 7, and will reopen in fall 2019. The project will offer new and flexible spaces for learning, gathering, and accessing technology and the library collection. The project will also address significant infrastructure and building system improvements needed for code compliance and longevity, and prepare the site for electric vehicle charging stations and potential future solar power.
Learn more about the Eden Prairie renovation project.
2018 Environment and Energy highlights
 Highlights from 2018 include:
- Revised the county's recycling ordinance
- Protected land for future generations
- Supported the expansion of organics recycling
- Encouraged waste prevention to move toward zero waste
- Collaborated on youth environmental education
- Enhanced the tree canopy
- Ensured compliance with hazardous waste rules
- Improved recycling at schools and businesses
- Encouraged residents to recycle right
- Restored habitat and cleaned up contaminated land
- Prevented the spread of aquatic invasive species
- Provided disposal of hazardous and problem materials
Visit the county's Green Notes newsletter to read more on each highlight.
The holidays bring some unique disposal questions – what to do with wrapping paper, string lights, Christmas trees, batteries, and more?
A quick guide:
- Wrapping paper that is fancy, shiny, glittery, or sparkly goes in the trash. Plainer wrapping paper, especially brown or white paper, can be recycled.
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String lights can be recycled at drop-off facilities. They don’t belong in your recycling cart at home as they get wrapped in the machinery at recycling facilities.
- Many haulers and cities offer special pickup or drop off for Christmas trees after the holidays, so check to see your options locally. Otherwise bring to a yard waste site that is open year-round.
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Battery-operated gadgets and toys along with new TVs, smart phone, gaming devices and other electronics are popular gifts. If you have older gadgets or electronics to get rid of, donate them if they are in good condition or recycle them at a drop-off facility.
Many Hennepin County offices are closed on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 21, and Presidents Day, Monday, February 18. Check holiday hours before you plan a visit.
See Hennepin County holiday hours.
 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
Bill Fellman
Administrative Assistant
612-348-3168
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