On Tuesday, September 22, Hennepin County Administrator Jodi Wentland presented a $2.993 billion proposed 2027 budget to the Hennepin County Board. This is an overall decrease of $167 million from the 2026 budget. 

The proposal includes a $1.219 billion net property tax levy, an increase of 8.15 percent, or $92 million, from 2026. Property tax makes up approximately 37 percent of the overall county budget. Federal and state sources, fees and services, and other revenues fund the remainder of the budget. Counties have relatively few ways to raise revenue and property taxes remain the primary local funding source to pay for services not fully covered by state aid, federal funding, grants or user fees. Significant cost shifts at the state and federal level directly impact property tax levies for local services. 

The proposed budget focuses on serving residents, supporting staff, and responsibly stewarding public resources at a time when financial pressures and community needs are both on the rise.   

The operating portion of this budget totals $2.71 billion, a decrease of 2.4 percent, or $66 million, from the 2026 adjusted budget. The capital portion totals $273.4 million, which is $100 million less than the 2026 adjusted capital budget. The proposed budget includes 9,605 positions, a reduction of nearly 4% or 390 vacant positions from 2025.  

The proposed budget addresses federal and state costs shifts as well as inflation and the increasing costs of operational necessities, while continuing to invest in communities, infrastructure and employees. The proposal also preserves funding for key community priorities, such as library hours, necessary operational improvements, and jail staffing levels at the Adult Detention Center. 

“We have been planning and making strategic decisions on programs to diligently manage our budget and prepare for external funding shifts since 2025,” said Hennepin County Administrator Jodi Wentland. “At its core, this budget balances foundational mission-driven services that continue to make investments in our communities, our infrastructure and our employees.”  

Next steps  

The Hennepin County Board is scheduled to vote on the maximum property tax levy for the county, Regional Railroad Authority, and Housing and Redevelopment Authority on September 29. The board may lower, but cannot increase, the levies when it adopts the final budgets in December.  

Additional information  

Budget hearings will take place before the board adopts a final budget and levies in December. View the schedule of budget hearings at hennepincounty.gov/budgets.