Hennepin County presents $3.09 billion 2026 budget with tax increase
Hennepin County officials held budget hearings on October 6 to present the proposed 2026 spending plan, which totals $3.09 billion and includes a 7.79% property tax levy increase. The hearings kicked off with presentations from the Sheriff's Office, which is requesting a $13.2 million budget increase.
County Commissioner Debbie Gotel opened the meeting by addressing a technical glitch that had prevented residents from calling in public comments during October 1st budget hearings. The county announced it would keep phone lines open throughout the week of October 6 to collect those missed comments, ensuring the public could weigh in on the budget discussions.
The proposed 2026 budget of $3.09 billion is based on a property tax levy increase of 7.79%, which matches the maximum amount the county board approved on September 25. County Administrator Jody Wentland outlined the Sheriff's Office request, which seeks $13.2 million more in overall expenses (a 7.8% increase) and $18.5 million more in property taxes (a 12.8% increase) compared to 2025.
Sheriff Dana Wit emphasized that personnel costs drive the budget, making up approximately 80% of the Sheriff's Office request. "The people who make up the sheriff's office and the people in the community who we took an oath to protect and serve" are the budget's central focus, Wit said. The sheriff outlined five key priorities: violent crime reduction, opioid overdose awareness and prevention, reform through programming, recruitment and retention, and community engagement and education.
Wit presented performance data to justify the budget request. From January through August 2025, the Sheriff's Office answered approximately 172,000 emergency calls. During the same period, deputies seized 414 illegally possessed guns, nearly 2,000 fentanyl pills, and 12 pounds of fentanyl powder. These figures underscored the office's work on drug interdiction and violent crime prevention.
The budget hearings are part of the county's formal process to inform board members and gather public input before final approval. The County Attorney's Office was also scheduled to present its budget during the October 6 hearings.
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However, there was a technical issue that prevented the call-in line for public comment to open following the public works and law, safety, and justice lines of business presentation on October 1st. So, we're we're going to continue to accept comments on the open line during the week of October 6 for those budget hearings.
The proposed budget totals $3.09 billion and was based upon property tax levy increase of 7.79%. The board adopted a maximum property levy on uh September 25th of 7.79%.
The 2026 proposed budget for this sheriff includes an overall increase in expensive of approximately $13.2 2 million or a 7.8% above the 2025 budget as well as an overall increase in property tax of approximately $18.5 million or 12.8% compared to 2025.
While we are here to talk about the many pieces that make up the Henipin County Sheriff's 2026 budget request, I want to stress that a major component of my request is people. The people who make up the sheriff's office and the people in the community who we took an oath to protect and serve. Those dedicated people make up approximately 80% of the 2026 budget.
My priorities include violent crime reduction, opioid overdose awareness and prevention, reform through programming, recruitment and retention. Lastly, community engagement and education.
From January 1st to August 31st, they answered approximately 172,000 emergency calls.
Between January 1 and August 31st, they seized 414 illegally possessed guns, almost 2,000 fentinel pills, 12 lbs of fentinel powder,
Source document
[Music] [Music] Good afternoon everyone. Welcome to the administration's operations budget committee of Monday, October 6, 2025. Um we begin with open forum. So that's the item number one. we play for uh previous playbacks from the budget hearings. I am informed that we have none. However, there was a technical issue that prevented the call-in line for public comment to open following the public works and law, safety, and justice lines of business presentation on October 1st. So, we're we're going to continue to accept comments on the open line during the week of October 6 for those budget hearings. Um, and public comments on the budget are recorded after each budget hearing. And at the end of today's meeting, I'll give directions on how you can comment on today's topic as well as the October 1st public works or law, safety, justice presentation. Um, the next item is the on ours is item two, which is to approve the minutes of the previous meeting of October 1st budget hearing on public works and law, safety, and justice lines of business. Do I have a motion? >> Move approval. >> Second. Other corrections or changes? Seeing none, all in favor signify by I. I. Motion carries. Um, the county administrator submitted her budget to the county board on September 16th. The proposed budget totals $3.09 billion and was based upon property tax levy increase of 7.79%. The board adopted a maximum property levy on uh September 25th of 7.79%. Today we'll hold hearings on the proposed 2026 budget with presentations from the sheriff's office and the county attorney's office. These hearings are in intended to allow board members to understand what's included within the proposed budget. Additionally, these hearings provide a forum to gather public input on the proposed budget. The line of business budget proposals and the complete 2026 proposed budget and the schedule for these hearings is available up on the Henipin County website. That's www.henipen. us/budgets. The end of today's hearing will again provide the callback numbers and the specifics for members of the public so they'll be able to submit public comment on the budget hearings. So, I'm going to go around um and introduce everyone before I hand this over to administrator wetland. Debbie Gotel, Henipin, County Commissioner, District 5. >> Kevin Anderson, District 7. >> Shel Guzman Beager, assistant county administrator, law, safety, justice. >> Dan Rogan, deputy county administrator. >> Joe Matthews, chief financial officer. >> Jody Wentland, county administrator. >> Dana Wit, Sheriff, Hibby County. >> Pat Underland, chief deputy. >> Bazesi, director of finance, sheriff's office. >> Heatherson, District 6. Angela Connley, District 4. >> Arian Fernando, District 2. >> And we'll start to back. >> Kate Nelson with District 5. >> Claire Severson with District 7. >> Leon, District 3. Monte, District 4. >> Chair, Deputy Clerk. >> Thank you everyone, and others might be introduced as needed. Um, so at this time, I'd like to introduce the Henipin County Administrator, Jody Wetland, who will be introducing today's budget hearing. Miss Wetland. Chair Gotel Commissioners, thank you for the contin continuing the budget discussions for law, safety, and justice line of business. Today, we will start with the Henipin County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Wit, and followed by questions and answers. Then, Henipin County Attorney Mary Morardi will present. I just want to note that there was an error in the budget book you received. The printouts at the table include the correction and updated materials which have been posted online. The sheriff's office 2025 adopted budget included authorizations for 883.0 FTEES. On page 18 of the printed book and page 20 of the PDF, a formula error incorrectly identifies the 2025 adopted budget as 873.0 FTEEs. The 2026 proposed budget for this sheriff includes an overall increase in expensive of approximately $13.2 2 million or a 7.8% above the 2025 budget as well as an overall increase in property tax of approximately $18.5 million or 12.8% compared to 2025. I would like to express my appreciation for the work we have done with Sheriff Whit and her office. Um, this budget does not include all of the sheriff's office budget requests, but it does reflect continued investment in priority areas. We know that in public safety, the work work has gotten more complex and county administration is working closely with the sheriff's office and we have a team that is partnering around data and strategies for the 2026 budget to manage financial challenges um in looking forward for the 2027 budget. And with that, I'd like to turn over to Sheriff Wit. Thank you. Thank you. Excuse me. Thank you and good afternoon. As you know, I'm Dana Wit, Sheriff of Henipin County. While we are here to talk about the many pieces that make up the Henipin County Sheriff's 2026 budget request, I want to stress that a major component of my request is people. The people who make up the sheriff's office and the people in the community who we took an oath to protect and serve. Those dedicated people make up approximately 80% of the 2026 budget. The Henipin County Sheriff's Office mission is to provide quality professional services while building meaningful relationships and are that are sustainable within our communities and with our partners to ensure justice and safety for all. Public safety is the core of what we do. Before I continue, I want to take the opportunity to thank county administration, including former county administrator David Huff, and current county administrator Jodie Whitland, Deputy County Administrator Dan Rogan, Assistant County Administrator Chela Guzman Wigger, and Office of Budget and Finance. Truly, the collaboration and the communication have been nothing short of outstanding this past year. And as we've all faced unprecedented challenges, we really do appreciate working with you all. Um, next slide, please. Today I will cover some of the ways the sheriff officers, residents, how we've implemented the county's disparity reduction and climate action priorities, the anticipated opportunities and challenges of 2026, and of course, a high level discussion of my proposed budget. Next slide, please. I'm joined today by my senior leaders of the sheriff's office, and I'm grateful and honored to stand alongside them daily. Chief Deputy Ernline, who's sitting at my right side here, runs the day-to-day operations of the agency. And reporting to him, we have Major Kristen Thomasson, Major Mike Jy, Major Shane Magnus, Major Dan Curts, Major Matt Hollahan, jail administrator Troy Otto, and our finance director, Rick Bazesi. They are also here to answer any questions that you may have at the end of this presentation. Next slide, please. The Henipin County Sheriff's Office is built to serve our community by providing a full spectrum of public safety services. We are mandated to keep and preserve the peace of the county and we do this in several ways. Our deputies protect our communities through emergency response and proactive patrol. Our detectives lead criminal investigations and go after the most prolific offenders. Our analysts provide intelligence on cases throughout the county, playing a crucial role in emergency situations like active shooter and manhunts. We operate a 911 emergency communication facility and manage one of the few internationally accredited full-ervice forensic science laboratories in the state. We oversee the Henipin County Jail, the largest and busiest pre-trial facility in the state of Minnesota. Our other mandated functions include court security, patrolling waterways, and investigating water emergencies, civil process services, and pursuing and apprehending all felons and more. Our mission centers on three pillars: prevention, intervention, and enforcement. We play a critical role in nearly every stage of the justice system, and all of our work directly impacts the safety and the quality of life in our communities. Service to residents is the core of our agency. My priorities reflect this core value and also intersect with those of the county. My priorities include violent crime reduction, opioid overdose awareness and prevention, reform through programming, recruitment and retention. Lastly, community engagement and education. Today, I want to highlight just three of the several services areas meaningful impact. First, our 911 emergency communications facility dispatches for nearly every city in Henipin County. Our telecommunicators are the first of the first responders, calmly and professionally managing crisis after crisis. From January 1st to August 31st, they answered approximately 172,000 emergency calls. Our telecommuners talk to people who are experiencing their worst day. And they do so calmly, professionally, and with compassion and empathy while managing multiple tasks in order to provide help. Without them, public safety would not function. The second service I want to highlight is our deputies, investigators, and analysts. Reducing violent crime begins with the tireless work of our deputies, detectives, and investigators, as well as our analysts. Between January 1 and August 31st, they seized 414 illegally possessed guns, almost 2,000 fentinel pills, 12 lbs of fentinel powder,
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Other Topics from This Document
Overview of the Proposed 2026 County Budget
Henipin County Sheriff's Office 2026 Proposed Budget Hearing
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