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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2022 budget planning season at Hennepin County has just concluded! Below are the highlights, and please stay tuned for my annual year-in-review (and look ahead) letter coming in January 2022.
My headlines on the 2022 budget:
- The county continues to provide critical services to our residents with little to no disruption. We continue to balance being the region’s safety net with investing in infrastructure, public safety, and human services.
- Federal pandemic support has presented once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to deepen our focus and equilibrium on real financial and data-driven investment in creating a more equitable Hennepin County. The infusion of federal relief dollars has allowed the county to emphasize and expand programs focused on equitable access to wealth, housing, home ownership, job opportunities, transit, and the digital world and connectivity.
- A feature of this 2022 budget is that it looks ahead and plans for how Hennepin County will continue to support this important programming when the federal dollars are fully spent.
Hennepin County is in it for the long haul, to build a more equitable community where all those who work, go to school, and live here feel safe and supported, and have equitable opportunity to thrive. I’m proud of this board’s commitment to that, and our work together to move us forward.
My best to you this holiday season! I encourage those eligible to receive a booster shot before spending time with friends and family over the holidays. People who receive a COVID-19 booster or other vaccine dose at a Hennepin County event or clinic are eligible for a $50 Visa gift card, while supplies last.
As I mentioned, more information will be in my year-in-review letter in January. As always, don't hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions, comments, or to learn more about how to get involved.
Happy holidays and my very best,
The Hennepin County Board approved a 2022 budget of $2.46 billion. The budget includes an $899 million property tax levy – an increase of $30 million from the 2021 budget. The approved budget and levy include both the operating and capital budgets.
The adopted budget reflects the impact of COVID-19 and the ongoing response and recovery. It also addresses the county’s focus on disparity reduction, climate action, and the organization's future.
This budget continues to balance Hennepin County’s role as the region’s safety net with investment in infrastructure, public safety, and human services. The infusion of federal relief dollars has allowed the county to emphasize and expand programs focused on equitable access to wealth, housing, home ownership, job opportunities, transit, and the digital world and connectivity. This budget looks ahead and plans for how Hennepin County will continue to support this important programming when the federal dollars are fully spent.
Ultimately this budget fulfills our role as regional leaders and investors, building a more equitable community where all those who work, go to school, and live here feel safe and supported, and have equitable opportunity to thrive.
Operating Budget
The county’s operating budget funds the day-to-day services for residents, like plowing roads, library services and providing support for vulnerable residents. A major factor in the operating budget are expenses for delivering these services, including employee pay and benefits. The approved budget provides a 2.5% general salary adjustment for each of the next three years and up to a 3% annual progression increases for eligible employees. It also provides regional market adjustments, increases in paid parental leave, changes in bereavement leave and an increased transit subsidy.
Capital Budget
The capital budget includes investment in infrastructure like roads, transit and buildings to meet current and future needs. The 2022 capital budget finances $337 million in projects through:
- Investment in clean energy and the environment, including an anaerobic digester
- Improvements to facilities in the Law, Safety and Justice Line of Business
- Supporting for Health and Human Services facilities
- Continued investment in our roads, bridges and trails
More about the budget process
Budget adoption follows more than six months of budget preparation and hearings.
Most recently, the county board held its Truth in Taxation hearing on November 30, followed by final budget amendments on December 2. View details at hennepin.us/budgets.
Getting vaccinated is the most important step that Minnesotans can take to protect themselves against COVID-19, including variants like Omicron. In addition to first and second doses, Hennepin County is offering booster doses at its vaccine events and clinics. People who receive a COVID-19 booster or other vaccine dose at a Hennepin County event or clinic are eligible for a $50 Visa gift card, while supplies last.
The CDC recommends that everyone 18+ should get a COVID-19 booster shot:
- If they received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine 2 months or more ago
- If they received the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine 6 months or more ago
COVID-19 vaccines are effective, especially at preventing serious illness and death. However, evidence is increasingly clear that boosters for all adults, given at the appropriate time after your primary vaccination series, can help extend the protection and keep it at a high level.
"Mixing and matching" of COVID-19 vaccine boosters is authorized, meaning Minnesotans eligible to get a booster dose can get any of the three authorized vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson) regardless of which brand vaccine they received for their initial series.
Hennepin County is offering Pfizer vaccine at all of its vaccine events and clinics for people ages 12+. People can receive a Pfizer booster at Hennepin County 12+ vaccine events and clinics even if the primary series they received was Moderna or Johnson and Johnson.
Vaccine registration is easy
Other steps to stay safe this holiday season
Here are layered safety approaches:
- Wear well-fitting masks in indoor public settings and crowded outdoor settings.
- Get tested if you have symptoms, have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, have traveled as per guidelines or have been in a setting where you may have been exposed.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Stay away from crowds.
- Improve ventilation in your home and workplace.
- Take extra care to avoid exposure to the virus if you have medical conditions or live with someone with medical conditions.
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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