County board actions

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county board actions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Carolyn Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969


Maximum 2020 tax levies

The board voted Tuesday to approve an $868,958,906 million maximum property tax levy, a 4.75% increase from 2019.

Last week, Hennepin County Administrator David Hough presented a $2.5 billion proposed 2020 budget. Read more about Hough's budget proposal.

Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy

The board, acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, approved a $16.5 million maximum 2020 property tax levy. Staff have proposed a 2020 budget of $20 million for the authority.

The proposed budget supports strategic and proactive investments in housing for residents across the spectrum of income levels and is anticipated to create approximately 1,300 affordable housing opportunities, including over 200 units for some of the county’s most challenged residents.

The budget also supports community and economic development activities that advance mobility, employment, and income work thru transit-oriented development as well as programs that support entrepreneurs and small business growth.

Regional Railroad Authority levy

Acting as the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, the board approved the authority's proposed maximum property tax levy of $30 million. Staff have proposed a 2020 budget of $40 million for the authority.

The proposed budget supports the county’s regional transit vision with investments in priority projects such as Southwest and Bottineau light rail transit projects.

The budget also supports oversight and management more than 46 miles of corridors and associated infrastructure.

Next steps

  • November 2019 – Property owners will receive a notice showing the impact of the county’s maximum levy on their properties, as well as the impact of taxes proposed by other local units of government, such as cities and school districts.
  • Tuesday, December 3, 6 p.m. – The proposed levies will be discussed at the Truth in Taxation public meeting.
  • The property tax levy that commissioners ultimately approve in December may be lower than the approved maximum, but it cannot exceed the maximum levy adopted at Tuesday’s meeting.

Advocating for African American crime victims

The County Attorney's Office will continue to provide culturally-specific support for African American crime victims. On Tuesday, the board accepted renewed state funding to advocate for victims and connect them to emergency assistance.


New alternatives for mental health and addiction crises

Hennepin County and its partners are working to direct people toward services and away from the criminal justice system. On Tuesday, the county board accepted renewed federal grant funding for services at 1800 Chicago and a police and social worker team.


Affordable housing in Marcy-Holmes neighborhood

The board gave its approval to issue housing revenue bonds to support the rehabilitation of 54 units of affordable rental housing in the 100 block of Fifth Street Southeast in Minneapolis. All 54 units will be affordable at or below 60 percent of the area median income, or about $48,000 for a family of two. This request aligns with Hennepin County efforts to reduce housing disparities by increasing the supply of affordable housing. Housing revenue bonds are not a debt of the county, but repayable from revenues pledged by the borrower.


Supporting businesses in the Bottineau Corridor

Small businesses in the Bottineau Corridor will be able to access technical assistance to help strengthen their business and prepare for the planned METRO Blue Line Extension, thanks to the county’s partnership and funding from the McKnight Foundation. On Tuesday, the county board awarded contracts to the Neighborhood Development Center and Northside Economic Opportunity Network to provide support to businesses near planned light rail stations.


Advancing Southwest LRT

At special meetings on Tuesday, September 17, the county board approved continued spending within the existing project budget for early construction and other activities on the Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT) project. The Metropolitan Council then could award the systems contract to Aldridge-Parsons Joint Venture on Wednesday, September 18.

These actions followed the Metropolitan Council’s receipt in late August of a second Letter of No Prejudice (LONP) from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) making local project spending eligible for federal reimbursement upon award of a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA).


2020 budget meetings

  • Tuesday, September 17, 1:30 p.m. – county administrator presents proposed 2020 budget to county board
  • Thursday, September 26, 1 - 4 p.m. – Health
  • Thursday, October 10, 1 - 4 p.m. – Public Works
  • Thursday, October 17, 1 - 4 p.m. – Human Services and Public Health
  • Monday, October 21, 9 a.m. - noon – Public Safety
  • Thursday, October 24, 9 a.m. - noon – Capital Budgeting Task Force/capital presentation and fees
  • Monday, November 4, 9 a.m. - noon – Operations and Libraries
  • Thursday, November 14, 1 - 4 p.m. – Administrator amendments/commissioner discussion
  • Tuesday, November 26, 9 a.m. - noon – Commissioner amendments
  • Tuesday, December 3, 6 p.m. - Truth in Taxation public meeting
  • Thursday, December 12, 1:30 p.m. - County board approves budget and levy at regularly scheduled board meeting

Current and archival board meetings, agendas and minutes are available at hennepin.us/boardmeetings.

Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news.

Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at hennepin.us/stories.