County Board Weighs 2027 Legislative Platform, With Hennepin Healthcare Funding in Focus
Commissioner Heather Edelson moved an amendment directing the county to work with a state advisory task force on Hennepin Healthcare's governance and financing to protect its safety-net mission and ease reliance on county property taxes.
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners took up its 2027 state legislative priorities and platform section by section Tuesday, with the future of Hennepin Healthcare emerging as the central point of discussion.
Commissioner Heather Edelson, who represents District 6, moved an amendment to the platform directing the county to work with the state advisory task force studying Hennepin Healthcare's governance and financing. The amendment calls for preserving the hospital system's safety-net mission, increasing state funding and reducing the system's reliance on county property taxes.
It's a pretty simple amendment. Just brings into light the state task force advisory and making sure that we'll be working with their recommendations or considering them.
The amendment was seconded by Board Chair Irene Fernando and remained under discussion at the close of the transcribed portion of the meeting. The underlying item, listed on the agenda as Item 11A, was moved by District 1 Commissioner Jeff Lundy and seconded by Edelson, with additional section amendments pending.
A full agenda ahead of the platform vote
The meeting, which convened at 1:32 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, moved through a series of routine items before reaching the legislative platform. Commissioners approved the minutes of the Oct. 20, 2026 meeting without corrections, accepted and referred correspondence and department communications 5A through 5AM, and approved claim registers for the periods ending Oct. 30 and Nov. 6, 2026.
Other Topics from This Document
Hennepin Highlights: Shop Local / Hennepin Rewards app
Economic development director Patricia Fitzgerald launched 'Hennepin Rewards,' a free app by Open Rewards, letting residents earn rewards at eligible local businesses starting Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28. Eligible businesses auto-enrolled; rewards last while funds last, into 2027.
Approval of minutes (Oct. 20, 2026)
Minutes of the Oct. 20, 2026 meeting approved without corrections.
Referral of correspondence and department communications
Items 5A-5B correspondence and 5C-5AM department communications accepted and referred. Item 5M on healthy aging across the lifespan highlighted for committee discussion next week.
Commissioner communication: Veterans Day
Commissioner Anderson recognized 45,000 veterans in Hennepin County, noted Minnesota effectively ended veteran homelessness, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon certification, a Veterans Monument due 2027, Veterans Court mentorship, and a Veterans Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Commissioner communication: Better Business Bureau Strategic Partner Award
Chair Fernando announced Hennepin County was named BBB Strategic Partner of the Year for Elevate Hennepin, which supported over 1,000 entrepreneurs and 11,000 hours of consulting in 2026.
Commissioner communication: LISC Community Asset Transition (CAT) Fund 5-year update
Claim registers
Claim registers for periods ending Oct. 30, 2026 and Nov. 6, 2026 approved.
Consent items 9A–9Y
Block of consent items 9A through 9Y approved without discussion; no non-consent items.
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