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Dear District 6 Residents,
Today, the Hennepin County Administrator recommended a maximum property tax levy of $1.219 billion, an 8.15% increase, as part of the proposed 2027 Hennepin County budget. The proposal moved forward and will come before the County Board for a vote to set the maximum levy next Tuesday, September 29.
I know property tax pressures are real for residents, and I take that seriously. I want to provide some context about what is driving the proposed levy, where we are working to reduce costs, and what happens next.
Property taxes account for approximately 37% of Hennepin County’s funding, while more than half of the services the County provides are mandated by state or federal government.
At the same time, we have been working to control spending. The proposed 2027 operating budget is 2.4% lower than 2026, and the proposed $273.4 million capital budget is 27% lower. We have also been managing staffing costs through attrition rather than abruptly eliminating services.
One of the significant pressures on the budget is the shifting of costs from other levels of government to counties. Federal changes and state and federal cost shifts are projected to create approximately $27.7 million in additional costs in 2027 and $51 million in 2028. These shifts do not reduce the federal or state taxes residents pay - they instead move more responsibility onto local governments and the property tax base.
If the Board approves the proposed 8.15% maximum levy on September 29, that will set the ceiling for the remainder of the budget process. The Board can ultimately adopt a lower levy in December, but it cannot go above the maximum established in September.
What happens next?
From September through November, the County Board will hold line-of-business budget hearings to examine individual departments, programs and spending. This is where we will continue looking for opportunities to reduce costs while considering the impact of changes on residents and services.
On December 1, Hennepin County will hold its Truth in Taxation hearing. Residents are invited to attend, testify before the Board of Commissioners and submit comments. You can also contact your individual commissioner or provide feedback to the entire County Board throughout the budget process.
Following this public process, the County Board will adopt the final 2027 budget and property tax levy in December.
An update on our libraries hours:
I also have good news to share. Earlier budget discussions included the possibility of reducing library hours. We heard loud and clear from residents about how important our libraries are, and we were able to make adjustments so library hours will not be cut.
Libraries are more than buildings filled with books. They are vital community spaces for children, seniors, families and people looking for connection. At a time when many residents are experiencing increased isolation, preserving access to these spaces matters.
It is an honor to represent our District 6 communities. I encourage you to email me your thoughts or reach out to schedule a call. I value hearing from residents, even when we don't agree, and your input throughout this budget process is important to me.
You can access additional information about our budget process here: https://www.hennepincounty.gov/government/about/budget-financial-management/annual-budgets
Warmly,
 Heather Edelson
Hennepin County Commissioner, District 6
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