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November 19, 2021
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I invite you to join me tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. for a virtual 'Coffee with the Commissioner.' Whether you want to learn more about what Hennepin County does or ask questions about specific policies and issues, grab a cup of coffee and join me by clicking here tomorrow morning. RSVP online here.
Updates in this week's newsletter:
☕️ Coffee with the Commissioner: Click here to join the virtual meeting tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.
🏠 Request for proposals: Affordable housing development projects impacted by COVID-19: All proposals are due December 1, 2021, by 3 p.m.
💻 Federal funding will modernize and protect technology, maintain safe facility ventilation: $10M to modernize and protect technology and $5M to maintain safe ventilation in county buildings.
💵 Hennepin County budget (Truth in Taxation) meeting is November 30: A public meeting on the proposed 2022 budget and property tax levy – commonly called the truth in taxation meeting – will be held on Tuesday, November 30.
💉 Hennepin County launches childhood immunization campaign: COVID-19 vaccinations are now available for children ages five and up. To find and register a child for a vaccine appointment, call 612-348-8900. Help is available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong or visit hennepin.us/vaccineregistration.
In service,
Chris
 My monthly 'Coffee with the Commissioner' session will be held virtually tomorrow, November 20, at 10:00 a.m. Grab a cup of coffee and join me for a conversation! To join me, click this link on the day of the event.
To RSVP, click here.
 Hennepin County is seeking proposals for affordable housing development projects impacted by COVID-19.
Up to $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding is available to address pandemic-related development cost increases and financing gaps for projects in Hennepin County.
This funding will be prioritized for projects:
- With a substantial portion of other capital financing already committed; and
- For which pandemic-related cost increases are one of the final barriers to closing on financing or completing construction
All proposals are due December 1, 2021, by 3 p.m.
Visit the Hennepin County Supplier Portal to learn more, register, and submit a proposal.
For questions about registering and using the supplier portal, please visit the Supplier Portal help page.
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners accepted federal funds to meet new technology needs and maintain facility air quality. Funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act.
$10M to modernize and protect technology
The board designated $10 million to support residents and staff with improved technology. COVID-19 has changed many business practices, often creating a greater technology need. New technology solutions will advance the county’s digital service delivery.
Improve design and execution of programs
Funding will make improvements to technology supporting health, public health, and relief programs.
Modernize hardware and software
IT will ensure staff have the technology they need to work remote, onsite, or hybrid. IT will also upgrade technology and make it more accessible to meet resident needs. To make way for new changes, IT will clean up old technology.
Protect critical infrastructure
Funding will update and improve security software to protect county and resident data.
Modernize business processes
IT created new solutions to connect residents with services during the pandemic. Funding will operationalize and improve these solutions.
$5M to maintain safe ventilation in county buildings
The county designated $5 million for safe indoor air quality for residents and staff in county buildings.
Hennepin County has improved its facility ventilation to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This new funding will maintain improvements. Staff will also use funding to study ways to reduce energy use and operational costs.
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.
 By Jason Jenkins, Sun Sailor
“One of the messages of this evening is that your voice is really needed to help shape these historic investments,” LaTondresse said. “The intelligence of our investments is only as strong as the insights that we’re getting from the community about how we’re investing these dollars on your behalf.”
 Photo Credit: Aaron Nesheim, New York Times
By David Chanen, Star Tribune
The county allocated $240 million in what officials called "a-once-in-a-generation" federal funding package that will develop affordable housing, expand digital services and deliver greater health care options to poorer neighborhoods. The county board declared racism a public health crisis.
"The federal resources expedited our strategies from a funding perspective,"
said. "What would have taken many years to accomplish, we can do it in a short period of time. We are pulling people away from dependency of the government to self-sufficiency."
While the county refocused its commitment to racial disparity throughout each department with its "Our North Star" program in 2013, the pandemic underscored the continuing barriers to reduce racial disparities. The pandemic response of the county on vaccinations, transportation, emergency rent assistance and helping the homeless was done through a lens of racial equity, Hough said.
Access the full story here.
Hennepin County will hold a public meeting on the proposed 2022 budget and property tax levy – commonly called the truth in taxation meeting – on Tuesday, November 30.
Meeting details
- Tuesday, November 30 at 6 p.m.
- Find more details and link to join the meeting: hennepin.us/tnt
For questions about the county's proposed budget, attend the truth in taxation meeting
The proposed 2022 budget is $2.4 billion, an increase of $149 million from last year. The proposed net property tax levy is $899 million, an increase of $30 million from last year.
The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority and Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority will also discuss their budgets and levies at the meeting. For more details, visit hennepin.us/tnt.
Submit a comment for the truth in taxation meeting
We are committed to retaining public participation at meetings in the current remote working environment. You may submit pre-recorded comments and we will play them back to board members during the meeting.
You may submit a pre-recorded comment between 7 a.m. on Monday, November 29, and 7 a.m. on Tuesday, November 30.
Record a comment for the meeting
- Call 612-688-4455
- Leave a voicemail message with your comments
- Comments are limited to less than two minutes in length
- Only your name and city will be shared at the meeting; your phone number will be redacted and will not be played
Participants will need to adhere to the rules of decorum as outlined in our posted guidance for addressing the board.
Submit a written comment
If you would prefer to provide written comments, you may email budgetcomments@hennepin.us at any time prior to 7 a.m. on November 30 and they will be presented to the board at the truth in taxation meeting at 6 p.m.
For questions about your property valuation, contact the assessor's office
Property values are one factor affecting property taxes owed for an individual property. The Assessor's Office assesses your property and estimates the value it would likely sell for on the open market, which is one factor used in determining your property tax. In some municipalities, the city assessor, rather than the county, determines property values. You can find the correct contact information for your assessor here: Find your property assessor | Hennepin County.
Find out more about property values.
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.
The county is launching a new ad campaign and employing outreach strategies to connect families to childhood immunization resources.
Childhood immunizations protect kids from serious diseases like COVID-19, measles, mumps, rubella, and diphtheria. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, childhood immunization rates have fallen in Minnesota and nationally.
Childhood immunizations also protect other vulnerable family members. As families prepare to come together for the holidays, getting children caught up on immunizations, including the COVID-19 vaccination (for children ages five and up), will help families enjoy a safe and healthy holiday season.
Connecting to childhood immunization services is easy
Hennepin County has programs to help families get their children caught up on all immunizations, including the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of their health insurance status. The county can also help families connect to services not run by Hennepin County.
To get started:
- Call 612-348-8900. Help is available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong.
- Visit the county’s childhood immunization website, hennepin.us/immunizations. The site lists immunization programs and other resources, like the recommended vaccine schedule by age.
COVID-19 vaccinations
COVID-19 vaccinations are now available for all children, ages five and up. Different clinic options are available for children 5-11 than for older children 12+. To find and register a child for a vaccine appointment:
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.
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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Chris LaTondresse
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886
Jessica Oaxaca
District Director
612-348-6885
Kyle Olson
Policy Director
612-348-3168
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