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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn Marinan, Hennepin County, 612-910-9111
The board voted today to approve a $1.046 billion maximum property tax levy for the 2025 county budget. This is an increase of 5.5 percent from last year. This 5.50 percent represents taking care of county operations at 4.50 percent, but also supports the county’s subsidiary corporation, Hennepin Healthcare Systems, Inc. (HHS) with resources that include an additional 1.0 percent of the levy, for a combined total of 5.50 percent. HHS is a level one trauma center that serves as a safety net hospital and a county, statewide, and critical regional provider of healthcare.
Last week, Hennepin County Administrator David Hough presented a $2.95 billion proposed 2025 budget focused on disparity reduction, climate action, and supporting critical safety net healthcare.
The operating portion of this budget totals $2.49 billion, an increase of 3.61 percent or $86.6 million dollars from the adjusted 2024 budget. The capital portion totals $463 million, which is $11 million more than the 2024 adjusted capital budget.
Property tax covers approximately 36 percent of the overall county budget. Federal and state sources, fees and services, and other revenues fund the remainder of the budget.
“We have a financial responsibility to our residents and taxpayers,” said Commissioner Debbie Goettel, who chairs the committee in charge of the budget process. “We have been proactively preparing for the expiration of federal funding and strategically transitioning vital programs to more sustainable funding models to make sure we can continue these efforts.”
County spending invests in programs, services, and systems that will improve long-term outcomes for residents in the areas of education, employment, health, housing, income, justice, and connectivity.
“We are committed to supporting our Hennepin County residents and making sure their critical needs are met,” said County Board Chair Irene Fernando. “It is very important that we support our safety net health care system for the health and safety of our entire community.”
Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy
Acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the board approved a $22.2 million maximum property tax levy. County Administration proposed a 2025 budget of $31.3 million for the authority.
The proposed budget supports:
- Affordable housing activities, which include the Affordable Housing Incentive Fund, Supportive Housing capital program, and investments in homeownership and single-room occupancy
- Community and economic development activities, which include the Transit Oriented Development Program, CEO Next Institute, Open to Business, and Elevate Hennepin
- Administrative activities
Regional Railroad Authority levy
Acting as the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, the board approved a $34.0 million maximum property tax levy. County Administration proposed a 2025 budget of $34.1 million for the authority.
The proposed budget supports:
- Capital projects which include the METRO Blue Line Extension (Bottineau) Light Rail Transit
- Debt service and corridor maintenance, asset management, and replacement
- Administrative activities
Additional information
Budget hearings will take place before a final budget and levy is adopted in December. View the schedule of budget hearings at hennepin.us/budgets.
More information about property taxes can be found at hennepin.us/propertytaxes.
Homeowners may qualify for a homestead market value exclusion. Learn more and apply online at homestead.hennepin.us.
Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news.
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