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Dear District 6 neighbors,
Spring is finally upon us in Minnesota--in District 6 and the Twin Cities, we even missed the March snow! The longer days and warmer temperatures in spring brings much needed fresh energy to our communities. Many families have started spring break or will in the next week. Whether you’re cheering on your favorite team during March Madness like my family (here are links for the women’s and men's brackets, by the way), getting outside to enjoy the changing seasons, or traveling for the school break, I hope you find time to appreciate all that spring has to offer and have chance to get outdoors.
This spring and summer, my office will be posting opportunities in our newsletters for you to join us across the district in service. Whether it is planting trees, cleaning up parks, or helping cut back buckthorn, we hope you will join us to get to know one another and catch up! We are so much stronger when we are connected.
We recently published copies of this 2025 Capital and Operating Hennepin County budgets, and you can access them here. The Capital and Operating budgets of Hennepin County reflect our division of resources, and they provide the foundation and services needed to carry out County responsibilities. These budgets are approved by the County Board annually and outlined in the budget documents.
Check out more District 6 updates below! As always, if you have any events you would like to share or an issue you would like to connect on, please feel free to contact me. It truly is an honor to serve our community!
University of Minnesota Extension Committee
This past month, as a board member that represents Hennepin County, the University of Minnesota Extension Committee met to discuss the exciting months ahead for 4-H programs, urban farming initiatives, and healthy cooking classes in senior homes across Hennepin County.
History of the UMN Extension: The University of Minnesota Extension was established in 1909 as a part of the federal Smith-Lever Act of 1914. This created the national cooperative extension system designed to extend university-based research and knowledge to communities, particularly in agriculture, natural resources and community development.
These programs are vital today in ensuring that residents—both young and old—have access to fresh, healthy foods. Every county in Minnesota has an extension committee dedicated to improving access to farming education, nutrition, and overall community health, and I am proud to support these efforts. To learn more about the important work of the Extension Committee, visit this website.
Hennepin County Board Meetings
At our recent Hennepin County Board meetings, we:
- Had an important discussion on food insecurity, maternal health, and heart health. One alarming statistic from Hunger Solutions Minnesota highlights the growing concern about food insecurity:
- In 2022, Minnesotans made 5.5 million visits to local food shelves
- In 2024, that number surged to 9 million visits—an all-time high
- You can view the Health Board presentation here.
- Adopted our 2025 Federal Platform. My amendment to protect the Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) and Victims Against Women Act (VAWA) funding--in addition to protecting other vital county funding cuts--was accepted unanimously.
- Passed funding for pedestrian improvements along County Road 15 (Shoreline Drive) in the City of Mound
- Passed a board action with funding that allows the County to improve competitive, integrated employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Currently, Chapter 14 of the Fair Labor Standards Act states that residents with disabilities are able to be paid a subminimum wage as low as 7 cents per hour. I am proud to have passed this board action through the Human Services Committee, which I chair.
State Subminimum Wage Background: In 2021, Minnesota established the Task Force to Eliminate Subminimum Wages to address this issue statewide. In February 2023 the Task Force created a comprehensive transition plan that recommended:
- Creating a technical assistance center to support transition efforts for employment service providers that use 14 (c) certificates
- Implementing training for waiver case managers
- Collecting employment outcome data
- Providing grants to lead state and county agencies
- Securing transportation funding for people with disabilities to get to work
- Ensuring access to service information for people with disabilities
- Improving employment service reimbursement rates for employment services providers
March Intern for a Day
My office also hosted the second group of high school students from across District 6 for our Intern for a Day program to explore how County government works to serve our community!
They met with leaders across departments, including:
- Sheriff’s Office – Learning about public safety with Major, Captain, and community outreach staff.
- County Administration – A conversation with David Hough about county operations.
- Public Works – Insight from Lisa Cerney on transportation and infrastructure.
- Metropolitan Mosquito Control – A discussion with Aubrey on how metro counties collaborate to protect public health.
They even participated in a mock debate, gaining first hand experience in civic engagement about the important issue of...cereal! We had a great time, and we’re looking forward to hosting our next (and last for the season) group in April.
 Commissioner Edelson and participants of the March "Intern for a Day" program pose near the fountain on the first floor of the Hennepin County Government Center.
Events in District 6
Ramadan and Iftar Community Dinner
It was an honor to join community members for an Iftar dinner in Edina this month. Wishing all residents that observe Ramadan a peaceful and blessed month. May this time of reflection and fasting bring you health, strength and spiritual fulfilment.
Presentation to Greenwood City Council
On March 5th I joined the Greenwood City Council to update them on the work of the county on grants, housing, human services, public safety and other critical areas. I appreciated the opportunity to present to the City and speak with constituents!
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Hennepin County Board Meetings on Special Topics
- Hennepin County Board Meeting, Tuesday, April 8 at 1:30 pm – Topic: Cannabis and Lower-Potency Hemp Edibles Retailers Ordinance
Volunteer with the District 6 Office
- Unload trees with us through Tree Trust in Eden Prairie on Friday, April 25th from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. You can sign up here.
Community Event Highlights
- Galleria Floral Experience: running from March 23rd to April 6th. More details here.
- Flagship Ice Fishing: Volunteers for Fish Hut Flagship Ice Fishing Event on Lake Minnetonka - March 23rd at 1:30 pm. More details here.
- Clothing Swap at The Marsh in Minnetonka: April 26th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Give, trade or take home gently used clothing! More details here.
District 6 Community Engagement & Service
Over the next several months, my office will be volunteering throughout District 6 and we invite you to join us! I represent 16 cities and 182,000 residents, and my goal over this summer is to get to know more of our community members and ensure they know more about what a county commissioner does and how we can help. These volunteer opportunities will be a great way for us to help the community and get to know one another better through service.
Community Coffee with the Commissioner
Last but not least, join me for an informal conversation on Saturday, May 3rd from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm for our next Community Coffee with the Commissioner. Bring your questions, concerns, and ideas—I’d love to hear about the issues that matter to you!
Resources for Our Community
University Scholarship Resources
As students receive their acceptance letters for university next year – I want to congratulate many of you! Here are some great resources to ensure that you are aware of scholarships to apply for:
2025 Published Capital & Operating Budgets
The Capital and Operating budgets of Hennepin County reflect our division of resources and have recently been published. This funding provides the foundation and services needed to carry out County responsibilities. These budgets are approved by the County Board annually and outlined in the budget documents. You can find the published copies of this 2025 Capital and Operating Hennepin County Budget here.
Congressional Art Competitions
Hennepin County District 6 includes areas in Congressional District 3, represented by Representative Kelly Morrison, and Congressional District 5, represented by Representative Ilhan Omar. Each spring, a nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District.
Visit this website to find out which Congressional District you reside in. If you are in Congressional District 3, visit Representative Morrison’s website to learn more about submitting your art. If you live in Congressional District 5, visit Representative Omar’s website. As a board member for the Minneapolis Institute of Art and appreciator of arts, I am excited about the opportunity for our district’s young people to display their artistic talents. wish the best of luck to the young people who choose to submit a piece!
Stay Connected!
We want to ensure that our residents are as informed as they can be with County business. To that end, you can view our County Board and Committee meetings here, as well as view past meetings. Please reach out if you have any questions about viewing meetings online or in-person. As always, I encourage you to reach out to me with any other questions or feedback you’d like to share at heather.edelson@hennepin.us or 612-248-6885. You can also follow me on my official Facebook page for updates.
Sincerely,
Heather Edelson
County Commissioner, Hennepin County District 6
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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Heather Edelson
County Commissioner
6th District
Raina Meyer
Policy Director
612-348-3168
Clara Wicklund
Assistant to the Commissioner
612-248-6885
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