North Hennepin News

Hennepin County Administrator David Hough proposed a $2.2 billion 2021 budget to the county board, which is a $300 million decrease from last year's budget. 

“We have been planning since the pandemic hit to present a budget with a 0% increase for 2021,” Hough said in a press release from the county. “As a county we’ve adapted, innovated and improved resident services in 2020, but we have a responsibility to closely manage our budget during these uncertain times.”

The operating budget will be $2 billion. This is a $45 million decrease from last year. The capital budget will be $187.9 million, which is a $274.2 million decrease from 2020. 

Right now, the budget doesn't account for any federal aid the county will receive. Hennepin County anticipates $30 million to $45 million from federal CARES dollars. These will help with isolation facilities and operations, testing, contact tracing and vaccinations. 

“We are uncertain if additional state and federal aid will help us continue to fight this pandemic in Hennepin County,” Hough said in the press release. “We will need to continuously evaluate our situation and use available tools for the ongoing response efforts to COVID. 2020 will be remembered as a year of crisis, but the crisis will continue into 2021.”