Hennepin County — Transcript
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Story
Hennepin County approves 2026 budget with 7.79% tax increase
Youth Workforce Development and Training
Public Library Infrastructure Renovation
Commemoration of America's 250th Anniversary
Community Corrections Monitoring Services
Environmental Conservation and Climate Action
Multimodal Transportation Infrastructure Projects
Traffic Safety and Zero Deaths Initiative
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan
Votes (11)
Amendment for State Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Youth at Work Funds and Minnesota Youth Program Funds
Moved by Unknown [00:14:40] · Seconded by Unknown [00:14:41]
The item involved amending principal agreements to accept $300,000 in competitive grant funds for the Youth at Work program and additional Minnesota Youth Program funds. The goal is to provide workforce development, career exploration, and paid internships to 512 economically disadvantaged or at-risk youth aged 14-24 in partnership with organizations like Brooklyn Park Economic Development Authority and Lutheran Social Services. Discussions highlighted the program's crucial support for vulnerable youth, including those aging out of the foster system.
Schematic Approval for Penn Lake Library Renovation Project
Moved by Unknown [00:18:41] · Seconded by Unknown [00:18:42]
The board approved the schematic design for the Penn Lake Library renovation. The project involves significant asset preservation, including roof replacement, building envelope upgrades, and energy efficiency improvements for the 1969-built facility. Interior reconfiguration will enhance accessibility (restrooms, study rooms) and functionality, while site work will address parking, stormwater, and landscaping. A 15-month closure is expected for construction.
Creation of Henipin County Semiquincentennial American 250 Planning Committee
Moved by Commissioner Lundy [00:26:24] · Seconded by Unknown [00:26:25]
Commissioner Lundy proposed and the board approved the creation of a planning committee for America's 250th anniversary in 2026. The committee aims to support and harness celebrations and observances, fostering unity and acknowledging diverse perspectives across communities. The county administrator will appoint members and coordinate efforts.
Set Maximum 2026 Property Level Levy and Proposed 2026 Budget
Moved by Chair Gotautell [00:27:32] · Seconded by Commissioner Connley [00:52:16]
The board extensively debated and ultimately set the maximum 2026 property tax levy. The Administrator proposed a 7.79% increase, while some commissioners suggested an 8% increase for contingency due to significant financial uncertainties from federal and state funding reductions (especially Medicaid and SNAP shifts). Commissioners expressed commitment to maintaining essential services, supporting the workforce through attrition, and addressing rising costs, particularly in health (HCMC) and public safety. The discussion included acknowledgment of a $10 million contingency budget and ongoing revenue strategies.
Establish Fee Schedule for 2026 and Public Hearings for Final 2026 Budget and Levy Adoption
Moved by Unknown [00:53:57] · Seconded by Unknown [00:53:58]
This resolution formally established the required public hearings and meetings for the adoption of the final 2026 budget and levy. Key dates include a public input hearing on December 2nd, the Capital Improvements Program meeting on October 20th, and the final budget adoption hearing on December 11th. The resolution also covers the legal publication of notices for these hearings.
Agreement with BI Incorporated for Electronic Home Monitoring Services
Moved by Unknown [01:00:23] · Seconded by Unknown [01:00:24]
The board approved a 5-year agreement with BI Incorporated for up to $9.2 million to provide electronic home monitoring (EHM) equipment. This service acts as a community-based alternative to incarceration, supervising approximately 750 adults and juveniles. Discussion touched upon the competitive RFP process that led to BI's selection for quality and cost-effectiveness, and commissioners requested follow-up data on EHM violations and cut-offs to address public safety concerns.
Amendment to Agreement with Minnesota Land Trust for Conservation Easements
Moved by Commissioner Fernando [01:11:47] · Seconded by Commissioner Eden [01:11:49]
The board approved an amendment to increase funding for co-holding two additional conservation easements (totaling 76 acres) with the Minnesota Land Trust in Independence and Madina. This action contributes to the county's Climate Action Plan goal of acquiring 6,000 acres of conservation easements by 2040, aligning with climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. The funding includes stewardship fees and is supported by the Outdoor Heritage Fund.
Amendment for Final Design Services for Lindell Avenue South Reconstruction
Moved by Chair Green [01:15:02] · Seconded by Commissioner Connley [01:15:06]
An amendment was approved to extend a contract with Kimley Horn and Associates by $1.7 million, totaling $3.79 million, for the final design of Lindell Avenue South reconstruction (between 31st Street and Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis). The project is significantly funded by state aid and the City of Minneapolis, indicating a major multimodal transportation investment.
Agreement for Preliminary Design and Professional Services for Washington Avenue (CASA 152)
Moved by Chair Green [01:19:35] · Seconded by Commissioner Connley [01:19:37]
The board approved a $1.26 million agreement with Alliant Engineering for preliminary design and community engagement services for multimodal safety improvements on Washington Avenue (CASA 152) in downtown Minneapolis. The project aims to create safe connections to the planned H-line bus rapid transit service, with funding from active transportation, Minneapolis, and Met Council. Commissioners expressed enthusiasm for new BRT lines and enhanced pedestrian/bike safety.
Adoption of Henipin County Toward Zero Deaths Action Plan for County Roadways
Moved by Chair Green [01:23:07] · Seconded by Commissioner Gatell [01:23:08]
The board adopted the Toward Zero Deaths Action Plan, a comprehensive strategy to eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes. The plan highlights increasing crash rates, identifies a 'High Injury Network,' and outlines data-driven strategies based on the 'Five E's' (Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Emergency Response, Engagement). Discussion emphasized the need for a public dashboard, innovative pedestrian safety measures (e.g., crosswalk pilots), and challenges in law enforcement reporting and addressing excessive speeds.
Adoption of Henipin County Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan
Moved by Chair Green [01:43:23] · Seconded by Commissioner Gatell [01:43:24]
The board adopted the ADA Transition Plan to improve accessibility on the county's transportation system, aiming for full compliance by 2040. The plan inventories pedestrian facilities (ramps, sidewalks, signals) and integrates ADA upgrades into capital projects. Discussions covered the plan's comprehensive nature, the importance of accessibility beyond just ramps (e.g., bridges), challenges with sidewalk width, snow removal, and obstructions from new mobility devices like scooters, and calls for more frequent updates and attention to transit stop accessibility.
Notable Quotes (20)
Henipin County was awarded $300,000 in this youth at work competitive grant to provide workforce development and training opportunities to 60 economically disadvantaged or at risk youth ages 14 to 24.
I just think this is great that it's from ages 14 to 24. You know, we we don't realize, you know, a lot of people age out of our foster system and everything like this and struggle a lot with this. So, this is this is a group that we need to tackle more.
Overall, these improvements on the building shell will not only extend the longevity of this facility, but of course improve its energy efficiency.
I just want to say that I really appreciate just the generalness of we're looking at buildings for that need new roofs that have water infiltration... It also costs less to do it then.
I think, you know, as this moves into next year, there will be federal committees, there'll be state committees, there'll be city stuff, there'll be celebrations, there'll be observances that may not be celebrations of the found in this country. And that's fine because I think that's the heart of what is America is that we allow people to observe and believe and say things that as they see them.
The most daunting challenge from my perspective relates to shifts in Medicaid and Medicare... Replacing cut SNAP funds equates to nearly an entire levy point in the proposed 2026 budget.
When we first learned of changes to SNAP and Medicaid from our federal government, we were at DC... because what these changes do is it puts the burdens on the residents of our county. So, you leave us no other choice when we have three funding streams.
This budget does include a contingency budget. The contingency is approximately $10 million that helps to account for um variables that occur as you're well aware um throughout the year as changes happen.
electronic home monitoring is used as a community-based alternative. It's ordered by the courts and it's a way for individuals involved in the justice system to be able to be at home ra and rather than be held in uh our adult corrections facility.
I'm interested, you know, I hear public will ask about electrical monitoring is not being safe. Is there like could we get uh follow memos... about people who violate electrical monitoring or they cut them off because I hear that oh they're just cutting them off.
The climate action plan made habitat conservation programming a cornerstone of climate mitigation and adaptation strategies and a foundational component of achieving the goal of having net zero carbon emissions by 2050. That plan also directed us to acquire 6,000 acres of conservation easements by 2040.
I know there was a big meeting this morning with community members. So things are, you know, green light means go on this project.
No questions. But we're always excited to see new bus rapid transit lines come in. Um because I know this also brings things like bus only lanes and protected bikeways and all of the things that are described in the background. So I'm excited to see that this uh is we're getting ready for this. We're going to start digging in the ground for this soon.
I'm also eager for this project and for all new BRTS. Um, I'm just want to thank staff especially for looking at the behavior of this area. There's significant kind of pedestrian behavior that might not be as intuitive and I appreciate staff's attentiveness to that.
fatal and serious injury crashes, which are the primary focus of this plan, have been increasing across the county in the last 10 years.
Speaking of crosswalk pilots, I am such a fan of what our colleagues are doing in Orange County where when there's a county road where the crosswalk leads to a school or a park, it's like rainbow colored... There are so many innovative ways that we can increase uh safety along our crosswalks.
police have pulled back on enforcement because they're trying not to pull people over. The problem is that only emboldens people when you're going 45 and a 30 and no one's paying the price people will keep going.
The plan identifies locations along our transportation system where pedestrian infrastructure currently meets standards and where modifications are needed. Uh the plan also establishes a county goal for full compliance by year 2040.
I'm thinking about there's some areas that I've seen in community where the sidewalks are really really narrow... So um I'm thinking about sidewalk width and whether or not that's an ADA compliance issue.
I would encourage us to consider a timeline so that we can kind of stay accountable to that... scooters are being parked just in the middle of the sidewalk. And so if I'm an individual who um cannot see or um have different mobility needs, the harm to me is just much more significant than otherwise.
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
The proposed financial plan for Henipin County for the 2026 fiscal year, presented by the Administrator.
Capital Improvement Plan totaling $3.8 billion, framing strategic capital investments.
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for the 2024 program year, detailing the use of federal grants.
The preceding multi-year plan under which the 2024 CAPER goals were met or exceeded.
County plan integrating disparity elimination, reducing emissions, and expanding green infrastructure, supported by conservation easements.
Strategic plan to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on county roadways, focusing on the Five E's of traffic safety.
Plan to improve accessibility on the county's transportation system, aiming for full ADA compliance by 2040.
Internal project identification for Washington Avenue multimodal safety improvements.