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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn
Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969
Board approves 0% levy increase in 2021 budget
The board voted Tuesday to approve an $869 million maximum property tax levy with no increase from 2020.
Earlier this month, Hennepin County Administrator David Hough presented a $2.2 billion proposed 2021 budget. Read more about Hough's budget proposal.
Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy
Acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the board approved a $16.5 million maximum property tax levy. Staff have proposed a 2021 budget of $17.8 million for the authority.
The proposed budget supports:
- Affordable housing, including the Affordable Housing Incentive Fund and Supportive Housing Program
- Community and economic development, including the Transit Oriented Development, CEO Next Institute, and Open to Business programs
- Operations and administrative activities
Regional Railroad Authority levy
Acting as the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, the board approved a $30 million maximum property tax levy. Staff have proposed a 2021 budget of $31.4 million for the authority.
The proposed budget supports:
- Capital projects, including Bottineau Light Rail Transit, Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit, and Midtown Corridor Bridges
- Debt service
- Corridor maintenance, asset management, and administrative activities
Next steps
- November – Property owners will receive a notice showing the impact of the county’s maximum levies 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 1, 6 p.m. – The proposed levies will be discussed at the Truth in Taxation public meeting.
- The property tax levies that commissioners ultimately approve in December may be lower than the approved maximums, but cannot exceed the maximum levies adopted at Tuesday’s meeting.
- View the schedule of budget hearings in hennepin.us/budgets.
CARES Act funding
Hennepin Healthcare’s response to COVID-19
The board allocated $44 million to Hennepin Healthcare for COVID-19 expenses from March – July 2020, including:
- Testing clinics
- Capabilities for telemedicine visits
- Buildout of intensive care units and additional ventilators
- Security, sanitation, entrance screeners, and staff training
- PPE, lab equipment and reagent supplies
- Isolation units for COVID-19 patients, hotel costs/IT costs to isolate at-risk employees, and IT equipment for work-from-home isolations
Purchasing alternative living spaces for people experiencing homelessness
The board designated $3.6 million to purchase alternative living spaces for people experiencing homelessness or impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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$2.7 million to purchase a 35-room motel located at 5637 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis and make basic updates and repairs
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$900,000 to purchase a congregate living facility located at 143 19th Street East, Minneapolis that will provide 25 living units
Hennepin County began leasing out local hotel rooms in March as protective housing for homeless adults with underlying health problems. The 60 alternative living spaces will replace units in these leased hotels.
Technology for households impacted by COVID-19
The board allocated $700,000 to provide broadband access, digital literacy services, and technology support for youth, seniors and other individuals impacted by COVID-19.
The County Board approved $1 million in August to purchase Chromebooks or other low-cost laptops for youth, seniors, and others impacted by COVID-19.
Responding to impacts of recent civil unrest
Preserving community ownership of damaged properties
The board allocated $6 million for a fund that will help keep community control over properties in areas impacted by recent civil unrest and at risk of market conversion and/or gentrification.
The Community Asset Transition Fund will initially create a $10 million loan pool ($3 million from Hennepin County and $7 million from Local Initiatives Support Corporation). The remaining $3 million allocation will be set aside for possible addition to the fund if future partner investment opportunities can be leveraged that maintain at least a 30:70 county/partner ratio.
In partnership with community-based organizations, Hennepin County and LISC will identify properties at risk of market conversion and/or gentrification and provide loans to acquire, make critical repairs, and operate properties for up to 10 years.
Property tax relief for damaged properties
The board approved applications for property tax relief for properties damaged at least 50% during recent civil unrest.
State law allows property tax relief for properties damaged by disaster upon reassessment and application to the Governor of the State of Minnesota and the Executive Council. The City of Minneapolis has reassessed damaged properties and applied for disaster relief.
Hennepin County is approving applications made to the City of Minneapolis Assessor’s Office by property owners entitled to relief under state law and requests reimbursement from the state.
Reimbursement to Sheriff’s Office for overtime
The board approved a $2 million budget contingency transfer to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office for overtime during civil unrest in late May and June.
Ending Hennepin County leases
The board approved a plan to vacate unoccupied space and reduce expenses by ending leases for Human Services and the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation. The county is providing many services remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a reduced need for facility space. Moving forward, the county will focus on maximizing existing county-owned spaces and using an appointment-based model to provide safe and efficient services.
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.
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