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Greetings! We hope our newsletter serves as a resource for staying connected to Hennepin County activities and staying updated on county news and services.
As always, please reach out with questions, comments, or to learn more about how to get involved.
My best,
Every year in September, the County Administrator proposes a budget for the next calendar year. This proposal takes into account a review of that past year's initiatives, department needs, board and staff recommendations, and yearly and long-term projections.
The budget review process is broken down into three parts all of which the county is responsible for: the Hennepin County capital and operating budget, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and the Regional Railroad Authority.
Below is an overview of County Administrator's 2020 proposed budget, and a calendar of the conversations the board will hold to review it.
Budget briefings are open to the public. My office welcomes direct feedback via call or email, or in-person testimony at the meetings.
Hennepin County Administrator David Hough proposed a 2020 budget of $2.5 billion to the Hennepin County Board.
The operating portion of this budget totals $2 billion, an increase of $71.6 million from the adjusted 2019 budget. The capital portion totals $495.1 million, an increase of $16.1 million over the adjusted 2019 amount.
The proposed net property tax levy is $869 million, an increase of 4.75% compared to last year. Property tax covers 35% of the overall county budget. Federal and state sources, fees and services, and other revenues fund the remainder of the budget.
Hough’s proposed budget includes funding to add 36 full-time equivalent employees to the county’s existing workforce of 9,100 employees.
The budget focuses on reducing disparities by race that impact many residents in the areas of education, employment, health, housing, income, justice and transportation. It will also sustain the county’s progress in transforming the child welfare system to a child well-being model.
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Staff have proposed a 2020 budget of $20 million for the Housing and Redevelopment 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. I will be looking at the the budget with greater detail in coming weeks; I'm pleased to see the propsed budget includes increased investment in affordable and supportive housing.
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
Staff have proposed a 2020 budget of $40 million for the Regional Railroad 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 Regional Railroad Authority budget also supports oversight and management of more than 46 miles of corridors and associated infrastructure.
Next steps
- November 2019 – Property owners will receive a notice showing the impact of the proposed 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 board will be hosting a briefing that is open to the public. My office welcomes direct feedback via call or email, or in-person testimony at the meeting.
- The property tax levy that commissioners ultimately approve in December may be lower than the approved maximum, but it cannot exceed the 4.75% maximum levy adopted at the September meeting
Read more details about the budget proposal here.
Budget briefings are open to the public. My office welcomes direct feedback via call or email, or in-person testimony at the 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
You're invited. In addition to our regularly scheduled board meetings, the County Board often meets for updates on Thursday mornings. These are informal opportunities to discuss emerging issues. No decisions are made, and topics are subject to change. Board briefings occur in the board room on the 24th floor of the Hennepin County Government Center and are open to the public. Call my office to confirm briefing time and location. The 2020 budget cycle is upon us as well. Join the board and county staff for our scheduled public budget briefings.
Thursday, October 3
- 9:00am-12:00pm: Public Safety Budget Briefing
Thursday, October 10
- 9:00am-10:00am: Shelter Revisioning Briefing
- 10:00am-11:00am: Digital Services Update
Thursday, October 24
- 9:00am-12:00pm: Capital Presentation and Fees Budget Briefing
Thursday, October 31
- 9:00am-10:00am: Legislative Platform
See full budget briefing schedule below.
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Bezabeh Assefa
Senior Human Services Representative (HSRs)
Downtown, Minneapolis
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Describe your work.
I work at Hennepin County Eligibility Works Services, Central/Northwest Region. I determine eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), multiple Cash Assistance and Health Care programs for applicants. I am a mentor for new HSRs who are assigned to our region and existing HSRs.
What do you find most enjoyable about your work?
I enjoy assisting clients meet their needs. Most of the clients we serve at Central/Northwest are homeless and have limited income. Knowing that I can make a difference in their life because of the work I do is gratifying. As HSRs we work as a team and having co-workers who are great team mates, supervisors who supportive and provide guidance and a manager who provides great leadership makes coming to work that much easier.
What is the most challenging part of the work?
Being an HSR requires me to have a consistent positive attitude in order to perform to the best of my abilities and be able to wear different hats at any given time since clients bring multiple challenges they face to be addressed. Addressing all the issues clients bring can at times be challenging as we are not experts on all things so we help make those connections to other service areas or outside resources. When policy changes for example are made at the Federal level that affect clients such as a reduction in benefits, it is challenging to explain to clients as they are focused on their day to day challenges than following and understanding why such policy changes are made.
What is one thing everyone should know about the work you do?
Sometimes the public’s perception is that anyone who applies for benefits can get those benefits but there are stringent policies in place to qualify applicants. There is also the perception that people prefer to depend on government assistance programs but the reality is the opposite is true. In my experience people want to be self-sufficient and they don’t make enough to cover all basic needs and program benefits may help. I believe what connects us is our humanity for each other.
Census employees needed: Be a part of history while earning extra cash
Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau counts every person in the United States, including everyone living in Hennepin County.
Census data helps determine:
- Funding for public services in your community – About $15.5 billion of annual funding is at stake for Minnesota. This amounts to $2,796 per person each year or $27,960 per person each decade.
- Your representation in Congress and the state legislature
- Your community’s voice and visibility – More than 230,000 Hennepin County residents will not respond to the census without follow-up. You can help increase participation.
Apply now or refer friends and family
Help ensure everyone is counted in your community by becoming a census taker. View more details and apply at 2020census.gov/jobs.
New air travel requirements begin October 1, 2020
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.
Get ready to vote in the 2019 election
Determine if there is an election in your area
View your sample ballot.
View all offices on the 2019 ballot in Hennepin County.
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.
Contact us
Marion Greene
Commissioner, 3rd District
612-348-7883
Elie Farhat
Principal Aide
612-348-7125
Laura Hoffman
District Aide
612-348-0863
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