Hennepin County releases $3.09 billion proposed 2026 budget; board moves to set maximum levy

County Administrator Wettland presented a proposed 2026 operating and capital budget totaling $3,090,000,000 and recommended a net property tax levy of $1,130,000,000, a 7.79% increase from the 2025 adjusted levy. The administrator told the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 16 that the operating budget equals $2,730,000,000 (a 7.2% increase, or $182,300,000, above the 2025 adjusted operating budget) and that the county is proposing investments including $1,380,000,000 for employee compensation and benefits and a 2026 capital budget of $365,900,000.

The administrator said the proposed 2026 budget assumes a total of 9,762 full-time equivalent positions, representing a net reduction driven by managing vacant positions (the package reflects a reduction of 249.7 vacant FTEs compared with the 2025 adjusted budget). The presentation identified key budget drivers: reductions and cost shifts in state and federal funding (including changes to Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance…