Board authorizes $15.4 million supplemental appropriation to cover sheriff’s 2025 overages

The Hennepin County Board authorized a supplemental appropriation on March 24 to amend the sheriff’s 2025 budget by just over $15,400,000 to cover personnel and other overages.

Joe Matthews, the county chief financial officer, told the board that the package uses three revenue sources: roughly $3,400,000 from restricted public‑safety aid appropriated in 2023, about $288,000 from sheriff’s forfeiture funds, and approximately $11,700,000 from the county’s unrestricted fund balance to offset the balance of the overage. Matthews said the county cannot close its books with a department exceeding its budget authority and that annual reconciliations require these amendments.

Commissioners asked about levy‑point implications and sustainability. Matthews said a 1% increase in the county levy would generate roughly $11,000,000 in 2027, and board members expressed concern about repeatedly drawing on the fund balance. Commissioner Conley said tapping savings at that scale is not a sustainable long‑term practice; others noted the unpredictability of public‑safety costs and the county’s legal obligations to fund court‑related or statutory sheriff duties.

Outcome: motion to approve the supplemental appropriation carried; staff said further reconciliations for remaining departments will follow in late April or May.