|
The Hennepin County Board voted on Tuesday to approve a $939.8 million maximum property tax levy for the 2023 county budget, an increase of 4.5% from last year. The board could still lower the 2023 property tax levy prior to the final approval of the budget on December 15, as the budget process plays out between now and then. Property tax covers approximately 36% of the total county budget. Federal and State sources, fees and services, and other sources fund the remainder of the budget. Read full press release here >>
This week, the board approved several board action requests, including a few that have set our budget season officially in motion. Highlights from this week's board meeting include:
- Setting our Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA) maximum 2023 property tax levy and proposed budget. The proposed 2023 HCHRA budget is $19,262,447 and the maximum tax levy is $17,640,360. The proposed 2023 HCHRA budget supports:
- A full range of affordable housing opportunities, which include the Affordable Housing Incentive Fund, Supportive Housing capital program, and investments in homeownership and single-room occupancy;
- Regional economic competitiveness, which includes planning grants and the Business District Initiative, CEO Next Institute, and Open to Business;
- And building the long-term value of communities, which include the Transit Oriented Development Program.
- Approving our 2022 Nine Mile Creek Watershed Board Applicants. Consistent with County Board policy, Hennepin County has conducted an open appointment application process to fill positions on the Nine Mile Creek Watershed Board.
-
Declaring October 2–8, 2022 Mental Illness Awareness Week in Hennepin County. Mental wellbeing is important for people of all ages, races, social classes and walks of life. Mental illnesses affect 1 in 5 U.S. adults each year. Research shows that the most effective way to reduce stigma is through personal contact with someone with a mental illness. Through public acknowledgment, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners seeks to build awareness of mental illness and mental health so that everyone who desires may receive timely, adequate, and appropriate treatment and live healthier more fulfilling lives.
 |
I attended the new Hennepin Health Member Services Center ribbon cutting this week. As Minnesota’s only county-owned, state-certified health maintenance organization, there is a lot of great work being done to help build healthy families and communities.
A collaborative and holistic approach to health care is necessary to effectively meet the diverse needs of our residents. That is what Hennepin Health is all about: collaborating across the county to run a unique, integrated model that improves health care through traditional means while also addressing the social determinants of health by coordinating health care with the many services offered by Hennepin County.
The new member services center is where that work will take place face to face with residents.
Hennepin County has programs to help families get their children caught up on all immunizations. Programs are available, even if families are uninsured, underinsured, or don’t have a primary care clinic. The county also helps families connect to services not run by Hennepin County.
Visit the county’s childhood immunization website, hennepin.us/immunizations for information on available programs. Or call Hennepin County Public Health at 612-348-8900. Help is available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong.
By CBS Minnesota
Hennepin County's Fix-It Clinic celebrated its 10th anniversary of fixing appliances around the Twin Cities for free.
Watch the full clip here.
By David Chanen, Star Tribune
With the new school year underway, officials from the White House and Hennepin County this week encouraged households to enroll in a new federal program that discounts internet service and laptops for low-income families.
The program, called the Affordable Connectivity Program, is included in the recently passed bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Eligible households receive up to a $30 discount on internet service, up to $75 for people living on tribal lands and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet or desktop computer.
Since the pandemic started in 2020, Hennepin County has also earmarked $15 million for its digital equity strategy, said County Board Chair Marion Greene, who participated in a news conference with Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden and White House Infrastructure Coordinator, and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. The county has provided more than 2,900 households with internet service.
Access the full story here.
I am excited to host the next ‘Coffee with the Commissioner’ with my colleague, Commissioner Debbie Goettel, at the Eden Prairie Library!
Commissioner Goettel represents Bloomington, part of Eden Prairie, and Richfield on the Hennepin County Board. Join us on October 8 at 10:00 a.m.
RSVP here.
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 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.
|
Chris LaTondresse
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886
Jessica Oaxaca
District Director
612-348-6885
Kyle Olson
Policy Director
612-348-3168
|
