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This September, we began the process of reviewing the proposed 2023 budgets for each line of business. This began with a presentation of the priority projects from County Administrator David Hough and an overview of the proposed levy. This year, Administration is proposing a levy of $930.8 million which is a increase 3.5%, bringing our total budget to $2.57 billion.
Inflation is at its highest levels in decades, and a recession could be on the horizon. We are challenged to offset expiring federal funds that enhanced or created many of the services discussed in the address. Most importantly, we have a fiduciary duty and must be responsible with property tax increases for 2023 given the hardships faced by our residents and businesses.
The $550 million in federal funds that we have received over the last few years have enabled us to expand the creation and preservation of affordable housing, provide greater access to mental health services, and help small businesses develop and grow in the county. This year’s budget focus on continuing the work that we have started over the last few years to create a more future ready Hennepin County.
We are focused on implementing our strategic priorities, leveraging federal funding, and repurposing county dollars so we can take to scale proactive, front-end services that reduce the need for costly, reactive crisis-driven services while creating sustainable funding sources, so our disparity reduction work continues long into the future. In other words, our strategy is not to add new funding but focus our investments on innovative ways that are less costly and provide better outcomes.
During the next few months, Hennepin County Lines of Business will be sharing their department’s individual budgets with the board through a series of open meetings. All meeting dates and topics are listed at the county’s Budget Overview page, as well as a copy of the 2023 proposed operating budgets for review.
Some key dates in this process are
- County Board’s adoption of the max levy on Tuesday, September 27th
- Commissioner Amendments presented and voted on Monday, November 17th & Tuesday, November 21st
- Property tax notices sent to residents in November based on the maximum proposed levy set by the county board in September
- Truth & Taxation public hearing November 29th. This public meeting is scheduled after the notices come out and allow for a discussion on the budget and tax issues and to allow public testimony by residents on these topics.
- County Board approves max levy and budgets on Thursday, December 15th
As a county, we know that our residents tax rates are impacted not just by our decisions, but by many other entities. Cities, School Districts and Watersheds are all able to levy taxes on properties in their communities. For this reason, the county aims to be good stewards of with their budgets and take advantage of all resources available to them. With that being said, I look forward to seeing the information from our lines of business on programs that they will be highlighting in the next budget year and advocate for our residents in ensuring that we provide first class service to all our residents now and in the future.
This September, The Hennepin County Board approved a contract with Encouraging Leaders. This organization will administer the additional grant funding for youth art and music programs under the existing Hennepin County Youth Sports grant program.
Building on ideas from previous board members, Commissioner Anderson offered the original resolution to the county board in September 2021. The county can provide more opportunities to foster creativity and self-expression and raise cultural awareness and appreciation.
“I’m excited to see this moving forward,” said Anderson. “We can now reach and engage with more youth in more ways. I believe that the vibrancy of our future starts with equitable access to activities that engage both the body and the mind through sports and arts.”
Encouraging Leaders is an African American led, youth-based non-profit organization located in North Minneapolis. Since its inception in 2015, Encouraging Leaders’ work has impacted the lives of over 2,000 underserved Minnesota youth through performance art programs, job placements, and employment skill development. The recent board action compensates Encouraging Leaders up to $300,000 to through September 2025.
Thank you to all who came out to our community town hall on mental health last week. This conversation focused on challenges that students are facing with their mental health – and ways they are working together to address unmet needs.
This was the latest event in our series of mental health round tables during the month of August to gather District 7 constituents’ feedback. The programming engaged four groups within our district in discussions: school-based mental health providers, parents of children enrolled in public schools, school staff, and first responders.
My office has committed to having more events such as these in the future to keep the lines of communication open as this is something that touches every household in our nation in some way.
Watch the entire town hall program in this YouTube video.
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September 23: Early Voting!
In-person absentee voting started on September 23rd for the November elections. Remember that you can apply for a mailed absentee ballot at mnvotes.gov/absentee. City locations are also open as well as the Hennepin County Election’s Office in the Hennepin County Government Center.
If you have questions, view our checklist for mailed absentee and our checklist for in-person absentee
November 8: Election Day!
Polls are open 7:00am-8:00pm for in-person voting. Remember polling places may have changed since the last general election due to redistricting, so be sure to find your polling place.
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 September 15 – October 15 is National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in Hennepin County! There are numerous ways you can celebrate and honor this like supporting your local Hispanic and Latino businesses or attending a community event.
Some events happening in Hennepin County include:
Join environmental educators to learn about work Hennepin County has been doing related to youth employment in the environmental field.
Hennepin County piloted a Green Pathways youth internship program this summer. Find out about the intern experience including highlights from one of the interns. Participants will also hear how Green Pathways was created and implemented from the project manager.
This virtual meeting will include:
- Research and outreach findings about youth employment in the environmental field
Green Pathways experience takeaways from one of the youth interns
Overview of Green Pathways program creation and implementation from the project manager
Register Today
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After a hiatus due to COVID-19, Hennepin County is again offering facility tours at the Brooklyn Park Transfer Station. The facility provides an opportunity for residents to properly manage household hazardous waste, recyclables, organics, and problem materials such as computers, TVs and appliances. Tours describe how the facility works and highlight the importance of reducing, reusing, recycling and preventing pollution.
Participants and chaperones
- Tour participants must be 7 years of age or older
- Group sizes can range from 5 to 28. (A presentation is available for larger groups at their school or location)
- One adult chaperone per 5 youth is required for grades 2 to 8
- One adult chaperone per ten youth is required for grades 9 to 12
Request a tour
Complete the BPTS transfer station tour request calendar and form to request a tour for your group.
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Every four years, Hennepin County’s SHAPE survey asks residents questions about their health, diet, exercise, neighborhood, and ability to get health care. If you get the 2022 SHAPE survey in the mail or at a community event, please take it! Your answers are anonymous and confidential and will help us identify the most important health needs of people who live in Hennepin County. Learn more:hennepin.us/shape
The 7th District serves the cities of
Champlin, Corcoran, Dayton, Greenfield, Independence, Loretto, Maple Grove, Maple Plain, Medina, Minnetrista, Southern Mound, Rogers,
St. Bonifacius, Hanover, Northwest Plymouth, and Rockford.
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Contact us
Kevin Anderson
Commissioner, 7th District
Amy Van Schepen
District Director
612-543-1273
Kristy Janigo
Policy Director
612-596-9040
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