October 2019 E-Newsletter

Jan Callison - News from District 6

 

  October 2019

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

In this edition

Board meetings

September 24, 2019

2020 Max tax levies

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

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.

Advancing Southwest LRT

SWLRT

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. This permitted the Metropolitan Council to 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).

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.

Board briefings

There were no board briefings in September.  The board met on Thursday, September 26 for the 2020 Health and Human Services budget hearing.  Budget hearing videos can be found at https://www.hennepin.us/your-government/leadership/board-videos

Below are the upcoming 2020 budget hearing dates:

  • 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

County calendar

November 5, 2019 - election

Vote

Vote absentee

Now through November 4, you can vote early for 2019 city and school district elections.

Find 2019 absentee voting options: hennepin.us/residents/elections/absentee-voting

Pre-register to vote by October 15

Save time at the polls on Election Day, November 5. Register to vote, change your registration or check if you’re registered at mnvotes.org.

Determine if there is an election in your area

View your sample ballot.

View all offices on the 2019 ballot in Hennepin County.

District 6 elections include:

  • Hopkins – Mayor, 2 Council Members, Special Election for Council Member
  • Minnetonka – Council Member Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4, Special Election for Council Member at Large Seat B    
  • ISD 270 Hopkins – 4 School Board Members
  • ISD 272 Eden Prairie – 4 School Board Members
  • ISD 273 Edina – 3 School Board Members
  • ISD 276 Minnetonka – 4 School Board Members
  • ISD 277 Westonka – 4 School Board Members, 1 Ballot Question
  • ISD 278 Orono – 3 School Board Members, 1 Ballot Question
  • ISD 280 Richfield – 3 School Board Members
  • ISD 283 St Louis Park – 4 School Board Members
  • ISD 284 Wayzata – 4 School Board Members

News

New air travel requirements begin October 1, 2020

Real ID

A standard Minnesota driver’s license or ID will only be valid for domestic air travel for one more year. After October 1, 2020, you will need a REAL ID, passport, or other approved card to board a plane. Decide now if you want a REAL ID and plan to get it ahead of the deadline. You can get your REAL ID at the Hennepin County Service Center nearest you. Learn more at www.hennepin.us/servicecenters.

 

Social media post: By Oct. 1, 2020, a REAL ID (or other accepted form of ID) will be required for adults to get on a flight. Avoid a hassle later by getting your REAL ID now.

Your path to a hassle-free REAL ID:

Pre-apply online: bit.ly/2mELrqP

Schedule your service center visit: bit.ly/2lAnfWs

Come in when it’s less busy: midday, mid-week, mid-month.

Free Water safety lessons

Swimming lessons

Sisters Olivia and Sylvana learned to swim through Hennepin County's Make a Splash program. The program offers free and discounted swim lessons for kids year-round. Check out hennepin.us/swimlessons for a list of providers and read Olivia and Sylvana's story here: https://www.healthyhennepin.org/stories/make-a-splash

Central Avenue/County Road 101 bridge update

CSAH 101 bridge

Photo taken on September 17 of the decks being built prior to concrete pouring.

The opening date for this partner project lead by MnDOT has changed to early November.  Crews are working extra time to complete the project.  The plan is to work to get the ramps opened as planned October 25. 

Crews will paint the bridge in mid-October, which will require a closure of Highway 12 near the bridge. 

Updates are provided on the project webpage:

https://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy12andcountyroad101bridge/.

About District 6

District 6 map

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.

County information

Jan Callison
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886 

Allyson Sellwood
Policy Aide
612-348-6885

Bill Fellman
Administrative assistant/scheduling
612-348-3168

hennepin.us

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