 Thursday was the final Hennepin County Board meeting of the year, and one of our final actions was to pass the 2023 Hennepin County Operating and Capital Budgets. I'm proud of the work that went into this budget, and strongly believe that this positions us well to make strategic investments in our future, while supporting the key work of delivering high-quality public services that Hennepin County residents have come to depend on.
Hennepin County's total 2023 budget comes to $2.61 billion. It includes a net property tax levy totaling $930.8 million, a 3.5% increase from last year. While the board had previously considered a higher percentage increase in our property tax levy - a move I opposed and voted against - the board ultimately settled on this more responsible approach.
We also approved the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) budget this week. This budget continues to support a full range of affordable housing opportunities, including investments in the Affordable Housing Incentive Fund, Supportive Housing capital program, and more investments to support our single-room occupancy program to support housing stability. This budget is also where our economic development work lives, and this budget positions our team to continue to support efforts like Elevate Business HC, CEO Next Institute, and the Business District Initiative.
As chair of the HRA, I'm extremely proud of this work and excited for it to continue into 2023.
Learn more on the Hennepin County budget webpage.
 The Hennepin County Board celebrated the career of outgoing Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman this week, unanimously passing a commendation reflecting his service to the county. Mr. Freeman is retiring after serving as County Attorney for 24 years.
Throughout his tenure, Mr. Freeman led efforts to reduce gun violence in our communities, including a gun buyback program to get illegal weapons off the street. He also led efforts to create the Domestic Abuse Service Center, and the Victim’s Assistance Program within the County Attorney's office.
Mr. Freeman also worked to better address the needs of youth who intersect with our justice system. He created the Be@School program to discourage truancy and ensure students have the resources to succeed in school. In the last few years, he convened MN HEALS 2.0 to bring together leaders across levels of government and jurisdictions to continue to address issues of crime on a regional level.
I'm grateful for Mr. Freeman's service and have appreciated our partnership throughout my time on the Couty Board. I wish him the best in retirement.
Read the Board's commendation here.
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) launched its annual cold weather item donation drive on Wednesday, November 23rd. This drive collects donations of new or gently used cold weather items for distribution to homeless and unsheltered individuals in Hennepin County. This week, HCSO announced 15 additional collection sites, thanks to an expanded partnership with the Hennepin County Library system.
Donated items will be distributed through various means, including distributions by the HCSO Community Outreach team and to individuals visiting the homeless outreach center at the Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Cold weather items may also be distributed to individuals leaving jail or court hearings without adequate clothing, or anyone else in need that HCSO employees encounter in the course of their duties.
Items being requested include new or gently used coats, hats, mittens, boots, scarves, new socks, and disposable hand/foot warmers. HCSO requests that individuals do not donate used items that require extensive cleaning or repair.
Starting next week, donations of new or gently used cold weather items may be donated at drop boxes placed at the locations below:
HCSO Locations
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Sheriff's Administration: 350 S 5th St, Room 6, Minneapolis, MN 55415 (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
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Sheriff's Public Safety Facility: 401 S 4th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55415 (24 hours)
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Sheriff's Water Patrol: 4141 Shoreline Dr, Spring Park, MN 55384 (8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
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Sheriff's Emergency Communications Facility: 1245 Shenandoah Lane N, Plymouth, MN 55447 (6:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
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Sheriff's Patrol Headquarters: 9401 83rd Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 (8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Hennepin County Library Locations. For hours, click here.
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Minneapolis Central Library: 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401
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Arvonne Fraser Library: 122 4th SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
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Brookdale Library: 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
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East Lake Library: 2727 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, MN 55406
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Excelsior Library: 337 Water St., Excelsior, MN 55331
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Franklin Library: 1314 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404
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Hosmer Library: 347 E. 36th, Minneapolis, MN 55408
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Minnetonka Library: 17524 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka, MN 55345
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Nokomis Library: 5100 34th S., Minneapolis, MN 55417
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North Regional Library: 1315 Lowry Ave. N, Minneapolis, MN 55411
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Northeast Library: 2200 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
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Pierre Bottineau Library: 55 Broadway St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
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Ridgedale Library: 12601 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka, MN 55305
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Southdale Library: 7001 York Ave. S., Edina, MN 55435
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Sumner Library: 611 Van White Memorial Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55411
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Washburn Library: 5244 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55419
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded Hennepin County $6.7 million to help protect families and children from lead-based paint hazards and additional home health hazards. With this funding, Hennepin County will address lead hazards in 300 housing units, providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. Elevated blood lead levels in children cause permanent neurological damage and can lead to learning disabilities.
The county’s lead prevention program was launched in 2004 to combat preventable lead exposures, which disproportionately impact people of color and low-income households.
The program conducts 150 Risk Assessments per year and takes on 125 lead hazard reduction projects per year. Since 2004, the county has completed 5,198 Lead Hazard reductions, including window replacement and paint stabilization.
Read more to learn if you and your family qualify for funding assistance.
And check out the great work of the lead poisoning prevention team with these recent stories on Kare 11 and in the Star Tribune.
By: Jared Goyette, Fox 9 News
As temperatures drop with the onset of winter, the number of families experiencing homelessness in Hennepin County is up dramatically when compared with this time last year, and Paramedics and EMTs are seeing the toll firsthand.
Access the full story here.
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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