This month, my colleagues and I traveled the Philadelphia for the National Association of Counties Annual Conference. This was an incredible opportunity for Commissioners and staff from all over the United States to meet, trade ideas, brainstorm, share successes and challenges, and celebrate the work counties do every day to serve their residents.
It was a very powerful experience to gather in Philadelphia with policymakers from across the country, engaging in conversations that shape our future in the same city where our nation's founding ideals were first debated and declared. As we face modern challenges, standing in the place where it all began reminds me of our responsibility to uphold those principles and push them forward for all of our residents.
 As a vice chair on the Health Steering Committee, I spent much of my time collaborating with my colleagues on matters pertaining to public health and healthy communities, including disease and injury prevention and health promotion, health disparities reduction, mental and behavioral health services, and financing delivering health care. This year, the Health committee approved 26 resolutions and 2 platform changes at our business meeting.
During one of our subcommittee meetings, members of the Health Steering Committee engaged in a mobile tour of the South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center, a nationally recognized model of integrated care and community engagement. The tour focused on the role of social determinants of health (SDOH) in shaping community well-being and how counties can collaborate across sectors to improve health outcomes.
Participants first heard from county and community leaders involved with the creation of the Center before going on a guided tour of the state-of-the-art facility, which co-locates a Federally Qualified Health Center, a public library, a recreation center and a branch of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
 Hennepin County was proud to receive an award from Digital Counties Survey.
The Digital Counties Survey 2025 was conducted by the Center for Digital Government in partnership with NACO and recognizes counties for their innovative use of technology to improve public services and enhance cybersecurity. This year's survey evaluated counties on their ability to align IT innovation with strategic priorities and real-world impact. The survey highlights counties focusing on areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and constituent engagement.
We are excited that Hennepin County has been ranked # 8 in the 1,000,000 or More-population category of the 2025 Digital Counties Survey!
 I was proud to join the Comcast Newsmakers team at the NACo Conference for an interview about how Hennepin County achieved functional zero for homeless veterans.
To catch up on how Hennepin County achieved this milestone, click here: Hennepin County effectively ends veteran homelessness
In my April newsletter, I outlined the challenges counties could face depending on the outcome of the Minnesota's budget process. With the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill by Congress and the President, we now face additional, serious challenges when it comes to federal funding as well.
The recently adopted changes to federal health care coverage will make it harder for Hennepin County residents to qualify for and sustain affordable health care, drive up costs of uncompensated care, and impose new administrative burdens on residents and county eligibility staff.
Some specifics about key federal changes and their local impacts:
- Adds work/community engagement requirement for more people. Administratively, this means:
- Counties have to verify people's monthly work/community engagement status at least every six months
- Apply a long list of potential exemptions - adding more complexity and administrative burden on residents and county staff alike
- More frequent eligibility checks for Medicaid expansion enrollees
- States must redetermine Medial Assistance eligibility at least every six months rather than annually. Without system enhancements, county staff will have to review thousands more active cases for compliance with work requirements.
- Reducing retroactive coverage
- The law will reduce retroactive Medicaid coverage from three months before the application date to one month before the application date for Medicaid expansion enrollees, and to two months for all others. This means that providers can expect a significant loss of revenue due to reduced retroactive coverage.
- Requires cost-sharing for Medicaid expansion enrollees
- The law requires states to impose cost-sharing of up to $35 per service on Medicaid expansion enrollees with incomes at 100% to 135% of the federal poverty level. This change will impose financial hardship on many residents and increase uncompensated care burdens on hospitals and clinics.
It is important to note that new administrative burdens on counties without additional funding will mean higher property taxes for residents. Check out this article from the Star Tribune for more background:
Trump’s spending bill could force Minnesota counties to up property taxes
After more than 40 years of dedicated service to the employees and residents of Hennepin County, our esteemed County Administrator, David Hough, has decided to retire from his role as County Administrator on July 31, 2025. He will transition into a phased retirement position effective August 1, 2025. In this half-time capacity, he will serve in an advisory and special projects role. We are grateful for his willingness to continue contributing to Hennepin’s mission.
David’s journey with us has been exceptional, marked by formidable challenges, extraordinary successes, and a deep commitment to our mission and values. David began his career with Hennepin County in the County Attorney’s Office in 1982, where he served in several roles that included Managing Attorney of the Civil Division, Attorney to the County Board, and the County Attorney’s Civil Deputy. In 2008, he became the Deputy County Administrator and in 2013, he was appointed as the County Administrator.
Under David’s leadership, he has driven a set of core values and led the development of the organization’s vision and mission. With his leadership team, he developed seven domains focused on connectivity, education, employment, income, housing, health, and justice. These domains have successfully focused on removing barriers, creating access and opportunity, and eliminating racial disparities.
I consider myself lucky to have worked alongside David since 2021 and wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.
 Join Hennepin County for an open house on Tuesday, July 29, 6 - 8 p.m. at Hanover City Hall (11250 5th St. NE). We are reconstructing the County roads 19 and 117 intersection in Corcoran and Hanover to improve safety.
You can also share your input online: beheardhennepin.org/county-roads-19-and-117
 On July 23rd, Hennepin County held its 2nd open house regarding the Dayton River Road reconstruction project. This open house focused largely on potential design options and how each would impact the Champlin and Dayton communities. It is important to note that no design decisions have been made, and it is entirely possible that the final design will be a combination of the presented designs.
Fortunately, you didn't have to attend the open house to see the design options! Click here to learn more about the project and take the design survey: Dayton River Road safety improvements | Hennepin County
This month, my team and I participated in a Habitat for Humanity build with my colleague Heather Edelson and her staff, and Ramsey County Commissioners Tara Jebens-Singh, Garrison McMurtrey, Rena Moran, Mai Chong Xiong, Kelly Miller, and their staff.
We laid insultation on two homes in the Heights Development - a project designed to create mixed-use affordable housing. It is a redevelopment of the former Hillcrest golf course. There will be 147 homeownership units at the Heights.
 The Heights will be one of the most energy efficient developments in the state of Minnesota by using the latest in sustainable building practices. This includes innovative uses of clean energy. Homes are all electric and include solar shingles and air source heat pumps.
 If you're interested in Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's homeownership program, please read more about their guidelines here: Homeownership Program Criteria
The Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants (HCYAG) program provides funding for youth activities to local government units (LGUs) within Hennepin County. The HCYAG program started in 2009 and is supported by proceeds from the Twins ballpark sales tax. The program has three initiatives:
- Water safety: funding to support free and reduced cost swim lessons, and lifeguard services
- Sports: funding for play areas (sports facilities, playgrounds, play spaces) and sports equipment
- Arts: funding for arts and music supplies, education, and programming
Applications: the next Request for Applications (RFAs) for these grant opportunities will be posted to the Hennepin County Supplier Portal on August 4, 2025. Grant applications will be due September 30, 2025 at 4 p.m.
Find more information about the HCYAG program here: Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants | Hennepin County
Champlin residents, mark your calendars to be sure you vote in the 34B special primary election and general election!
Hennepin Health, Hennepin County’s managed care organization, is more than just health insurance, it invests in innovative health projects that benefit its members and the community
One of these projects is Flavors of Health, a program that gives Hennepin Health members 8 weeks of free groceries after they take a healthy cooking class at NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center or at Hennepin Healthcare’s Redleaf Center for Family Healing. Members who have congestive heart failure, diabetes, and/or are pregnant are eligible for the program. Participants receive education and groceries tailored to their health needs.
Since its launch in February 2025, 31 members have completed the program (taken a cooking class and received their groceries) and 16 members are currently in the program.
Check out this new video for a look inside the kitchen!
Hennepin County Child Care Licensing is hosting a resource fair for family child care providers and those interested in becoming licensed. You’ll have a chance to learn about the licensing process and connect with community resources that can help you improve and market your business.
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Saturday, August 16, 1 – 3:30 p.m.
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Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka
Join us for light refreshments, story time and book giveaway, and a demonstration of the new Provider Hub. Current providers can receive training credit.
As an advisor with the Elevate Hennepin, a business support initiative from Hennepin County, WomenVenture uses more than 40 years of experience in small business consulting to break down the complexities of small business ownership.
Advisor Abdiwahid Ali said WomenVenture advisors can help with all sorts of business challenges across all stages of business.
“If you haven’t gotten started, we can work on registering your business,” Ali said. “If a client is looking to scale and grow their business, then we start looking at supporting them in areas such as marketing to look at what their branding looks like.”
Read how these advisors help Hennepin County residents break through complexity and information paralysis to take their business or idea further.
Local publisher Mikki Morrissette joined Elevate Hennepin’s CEO Now cohort with a diverse group of entrepreneurs to bring some stability to her role as the owner of Minnesota Women’s Press.
"I bought the magazine seven years ago and have been flying by the seat of my pants,” she said. “We’ve been re-shifting things after the pandemic. Now comes the time to really roll up the sleeves and figure out what comes next."
See how she found peer connection and developed a sustainable plan for the business in CEO Now.
It's the season of road construction here in Minnesota, and Hennepin County is working to make sure our county roads are as safe as possible. Stay up to date on what our public works crews are up to by bookmarking this website:
Road maintenance projects | Hennepin County
Q: Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon?
A: Great food, but no atmosphere!
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
Ketki Varsha
Policy Director
612-559-4221
Clara Severson
District Director
612-596-9040
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