December Newsletter: Hennepin County Commissioner Debbie Goettel

Hennepin County, Minnesota sent this bulletin at 12/07/2022 11:00 AM CST

Welcome to the District 5 December newsletter!

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A message from Commissioner Goettel

On November 29, the Hennepin County Board Budget Committee did NOT vote to increase to the administration's proposed property tax levy from 3.5%. This means when we reconvene for the last regularly scheduled board meeting of the year on Thursday, December 15th to approve the 2023 budget and property tax levy, there is broad support among my colleagues to adopt this 3.5% increase (a net property tax levy of $930.8 million) and a budget of $2.57 billion.

From the beginning of the budget process on September 20 when the administration proposed the 2023 budget, I stated my support for the lower tax levy option and advocated strongly to make sure this was the outcome. The 2023 operating budget of $2.57 billion achieves historic investment in our communities, making our county a fairer and more livable place, while also being mindful of the extremely high property tax levies that residents are shouldering right now.

We need to ensure that our suburban partners, seniors, middle and low income owners, and residents on fixed incomes can remain as resilient as possible throughout Hennepin County in the coming year with rising inflation and a looming recession. Keeping property taxes lower is one way to help achieve this intended goal. This proposed budget provides a strong delivery of essential human services, historic investment in climate action and advances innovation in affordable housing, while keeping the property tax levy as low as possible.

If you joined us this year during the budget process by calling, sending an email, or providing public comment in-person, a sincere thank you for bringing your voice to the table. The yearly budget is a document that reflects our values as a county and a community, and your voice is central to creating it. THANK YOU.

Learn about the budget process, see the budget hearing schedule, and provide public comment on the county budget.

Happy holidays, and a happy new year to you and yours!

Learn about what's happening at Hennepin County and across the district:

Sock drive for the homeless
D-Line grand opening celebration!
Property tax is an important investment
Grant funding available for youth arts and music programming 
Applications are now being accepted for 2023 advisory boards
Commission seats available in Bloomington
Receive assistance to pay for energy bills

Tweets from the Commissioner

Follow me on Twitter: @HennepinDebbie

Sock drive for the homeless

What does the sock drive accomplish?

Through the month of December, Hennepin County Association of Paramedics and EMTs (HCAPE) accepts donations to purchase socks, hats and gloves, and receives products directly through shopping lists to support our unsheltered community. Kits typically consist of one hat, one pair of gloves, and a pair of high-quality wool socks. In addition, HCAPE partners with Fleet Farm to purchase discounted blaze orange items. Kits are distributed to local homelessness support organizations, police departments, hospitals, and are placed on our ambulances for direct distribution. Thousands of kits have been distributed to date, and the initiative continues to grow year over year. Please consider donating, and sharing this information with your friends and family to grow this important project.

Video Link

Donate Here!

Amazon & Target shoping lists.

D-Line grand opening celebration!

On Saturday, December 3rd, the D Line opened with a Ribbon Cutting event at Mall of America followed by community celebrations at Veteran's Park in Richfield and Juxtaposition Arts in North Minneapolis.

Formerly the Route 5 bus, this is the highest ridership bus in the metro area. This important route serves the communities of Bloomington and Richfield with service to South Minneapolis, Downtown, North Minneapolis, and Brooklyn Center. We are happy to see strong investment in more efficient rapid transit options for metro riders. This means better stations and build-outs, paid-fare before boarding to shrink wait times, and more efficient travel all around.

Check out some photos and videos from the celebrations at MOA station, Veteran's Park, and Juxtaposition Arts.

Free new plastic reduction program for food businesses

Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation, in partnership with Hennepin County, has launched a new program to help food businesses reduce single-use plastic waste and receive recognition for their efforts. MNimize awards businesses at one of four achievement levels based on their efforts to reduce single-use plastic. The program also helps businesses identify opportunities to continue reducing single-use plastic and provides technical assistance so they can take further action.

Additionally, participating businesses can get up to $500 through the MNimize Rebate toward eligible expenses to reduce single-use plastic. This rebate could be used to purchase durable reusable or certified compostable alternatives to replace single-use plastic items or for other creative plastic reduction strategies.
Businesses across Hennepin County are already making an impact through their participation in MNimize. La Doña Cerveceria took advantage of the MNimize Rebate to replace their plastic-lined paper food trays with reusable metal trays and durable plastic baskets. This change will avoid an estimated 53,000 disposable items every year, resulting in an annual cost savings of over $1,500.

Reducing single-use plastic is an impactful opportunity to divert waste, keep plastic out of the environment, build brand loyalty with existing and new customers, and generate cost savings. MNimize welcomes any and all food businesses that are interested in tackling single-use plastic waste. To get started, visit the website and submit an inquiry form. A MNimize Sustainability Specialist will reach out to schedule a visit to your business and help you take the next steps!

Property tax is an important investment

Property taxes are your share of the total cost of local government, and they are used to help support a variety of valuable resources in the county, cities and schools. Hennepin County is committed to managing that share wisely and transparently. Watch the Understanding your property tax video for more information.

Grant funding available for youth arts and music programming 

Organizations can apply for Hennepin County Youth Arts and Music grants now through December 21. This grant program aims to support youth art and music programming and education in communities across Hennepin County. Grants up to $25,000 are available.  

These grants are a part of the Hennepin County Youth Grants program supported by the Twins ballpark sales tax. Music and arts programming was added to the youth grants program in October. 

Learn more here by expanding the "Youth Arts grant application" section at this webpage. 

Applications are now being accepted for 2023 advisory boards

The Hennepin County Board is recruiting volunteers for 38 advisory board positions through its annual appointment process. Each fall, the board accepts applications from residents interested in volunteer service positions on advisory boards, commissions, councils and special task forces. Appointees advise commissioners and help set policy on a variety of topics. Appointments to these positions will be made during the first quarter of 2023. Deadline to apply is December 31, 2022. For more information or to apply, visit the Advisory and watershed district boards webpage.

2023 advisory board openings

Adult Mental Health Local Advisory Council – eight vacancies
Community Action Partnership – Hennepin County (CAP- HC) – two vacancies
County Extension Committee (University of Minnesota Extension) – three vacancies
Human Resources Board – three vacancies
Library Board – six vacancies

Mental Commitment Attorney Panel Advisory Board – one vacancy
Race Equity Advisory Council – six vacancies
Three Rivers Park District – one vacancy
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Board – five vacancies

2023 watershed board openings

Lower Minnesota River Watershed District Board – one vacancy
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board – two vacancies

Commission seats available in Bloomington

Bloomington will have several seats available on its advisory boards and commissions in 2023.

Seats on the city’s Advisory Board of Health, Creative Placemaking Commission, Human Rights Commission, Local Board of Review, Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission and Sustainability Commission will be available in March.

The application deadline for the seats is Dec. 23. Virtual candidate interviews will be held Jan. 21 for terms that begin March 1.

Applications are available online.

Info: 952-563-8733

Receive assistance to pay for energy bills

With winter upon us, energy costs will be going up for families and residents across the county. There are various assistance programs available from the state, county, and local municipalities so that people can receive financial assistance when energy bills present a financial hardship.

If you are a Bloomington Resident and need help paying your bills, learn more here and apply now.

Hennepin County also partners with Community Action to provide relief. If you are not a Bloomington resident click here.

The City of Eden Prairie provides a broad resource document with various programs and who qualifies. Click here to read more.

Holiday Lights Drive-Thru at Martin Luther

Celebrate the Holidays at the Ebenezer- Martin Luther Campus Holiday Lights Drive-Thru! The event is free and open to all in the community.

Friday, November 25, 2022 - Monday, January 2, 2023
Daily; 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Click here to see the market options throughout Minneapolis the winter season.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the heart of our community. They help create two out of every three new jobs and reflect our growing diversity. This holiday season, remember to support local businesses for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Hennepin History Museum

Separate Not Equal: The Hale-Field Pairing

On exhibit April 28, 2022 – Spring 2023

2021 marks the 50^th anniversary of the pairing of Field and Hale elementary schools in South Minneapolis. The topic of school desegregation in the years leading up to the merger polarized the city. Parents of students argued for and against the pairing, which was a cautious initiative to combat school segregation dictated by the racial boundaries established by rampant redlining practices in the Twin Cities.

Learn more here and engage with digital media from the exhibit.

Winter activities at the library

Check out events happening at a library near you. Filter for specific areas, age groups, and different types of event to find something unique and specific to you and your family!

Learn more at Hennepin County Library events.