The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approved a more than $3 billion budget for 2025 on Thursday. It’s the largest county budget in the state, and the second largest budget only next to the state’s budget. It was unanimously approved during the final county commissioners meeting of the year.
More than one third of the budget will come from property taxes. The Board agreed to a 5.5% increase to the property tax levy for 2025 for a maximum of $1.046 billion back in September. The median homeowner with a property valued at around $390,000 will see their taxes go up about $44. 4.5% of the levy which was finalized on Wednesday will go to county operations, while 1% will go to Hennepin Healthcare Systems. Federal and state sources, fees and services, and other revenues fund the remainder of the budget.
The board broke down the budget into five sections: Health and Human Services, Disparity Reduction and Public Works, Capital Budget and Fees, Resident Services and Operations, and Law, Safety, and Justice. In the coming weeks, we will be breaking down what’s in each of these parts of the budget provide a closer look at how tax dollars are being spent.
The commissioners also approved labor agreements for six AFSCME Council 5 locals on Thursday. Those agreements are for Local 34 Social Services, Local 552 Probation and Parole, Local 1719 Adult Corrections, Local 2864 Professional, Local 2938 Legal and Local 2938 Essential workers.
These are some of the highlights on what was included in the 3-year agreements:
- Wages will be increased each year by 4%.
- Employees who are not at the maximum for their salary range are eligible for 3% merit increase on their anniversary date based on their work performance evaluation.
- A 10% increase in the shift differential from $1.00 to $1.10 per hour.
- A 40% increase in the weekend differential from $1.00 to $1.40 per hour.
Specific Highlights for Local 34:
- Long-term Services and Supports Assessors will see a differential increase from $0.50 an hour to $1.00 an hour for each regular hour worked by a Social Worker or Senior Social Worker who is a certified assessor performing MnChoices assessor work.
- Employees in the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation specifically assigned to perform the duties of a Field Training Officer will be paid an additional $1.00 per hour for each hour worked in that capacity. The new premium is attached to the STS Crew Leaders and Case Management Assistants.
- Full-time employees of NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center working in the jobs of Public Health Nurse, Medical Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, and Case Management Assistant and are required to be in uniform will be eligible to receive a uniform allowance. The amount will increase from $100 to $150 per calendar year. For part-time employees the amount will increase from $50 to $75 per calendar year.
- Employer contribution for the AFSCME dental plan shall be $0.40 for each regular hour on payroll.
Commissioner Kevin Anderson said the wage increases included in the latest agreements will help employees keep up with rising costs, “I know inflation has been a huge challenge for a lot of people and knowing that we’re able to take care of our employees in that way is very important.”
In the new deals, workers may see increases in their healthcare contributions in the next three years. The 2025 plan includes an overall increase of 7.3%. The plan includes an in-network deductible of $500 for individuals and $1000 for families. Employee contributions under the standard plan will be based on the total premium for the year. Employee only coverage is set at 3%, Employees with coverage for a spouse or child will be set at 17% and family coverage will be set at 15%.
“What we pay for for our health insurance is also really impressive when we look at affordability and the things that are covered, I think we really do a great job as an employer in Hennepin County,” said Commissioner Heather Edelson on the new agreements.
The County Board will not meet again until January 7, 2025. Board Members will remain the same in the coming year after all incumbents won their elections in November.
Watch Thursday’s Commissioners meeting here
