Committee - Regular Meeting

0:43 – 1:54•DGDebbie Goettel

I'm going to wait till the crowd moves. Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the Administration Operations and Budget Committee of Tuesday, August 25th, 2026. We start our agenda, item one, with there's going to be two presentations. The first presentation today is our reoccurring 2026 budget update. I'm going to hand this over to Administrator Wetland to kick things off. Thank you.

11:05 – 11:25•DGDebbie Goettel

Thank you. I really appreciate the estimated cost shifts detail here on the sheet that we have. That's very helpful. I think we always wanted to get closer to a real actual number so we know what the headwinds are ahead of us in this future. I'll turn it over and see if colleagues have questions and comments. I'll start with Commissioner Fernando and then Commissioner Connolly.

11:26 – 12:00•IFIrene Fernando

Thank you, Madam Chair. I also want to express gratitude for the property tax impact slide, because especially as we enter the fall, that is how residents will be experiencing this. And the numbers here are alarming. I mean, these are five levy points when we think about it as a levy. So thank you for the prioritization here. I wanted to confirm an understanding. So for the grants terminated, Total grant award amount canceled. So we are not factoring in when we, the county, are fighting in court to be able to maintain funds. I just want to make sure I'm accurate.

12:39 – 13:07•IFIrene Fernando

Yes, Madam Chair, just a comment on that. For those watching at home, there is a larger number that we are seeing reported in the news that is being kind of removed or being placed under threat. And local governments here in Minnesota, in partnership with our state, we are fighting and seeking to protect the various services and the funds. So that's not always as easily seen in public and want to acknowledge our partners with gratitude. Thank you, Chair.

13:08 – 13:49•ACAngela Conley

Thank you. Commissioner Conley. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you for the update. What really hit me was the dollar amounts, right? So there was a slide that showed the dollar amounts that are broken out via the federal government and the state. And these are all cost shifts that total around $27 million. So could you, for 2027, jumps way up to $51 million by 2028. So we're seeing cost shifts that we have to account for Right now, we've already got hit with the $8 million in SNAP. What is the state contributing? Because this is all based on error rate. Can you clarify that part?

14:16 – 14:57•ACAngela Conley

Thank you, Madam Chair. That's exactly where I was going. We've got a state platform coming up, colleagues. And so I'm sure with the help of AMC, all 87 counties are feeling this. And so we will need to do some advocacy to change what the state is chipping in. That's an entirely too big cost shift to property tax that we can't absorb, especially if there's talk at the federal government of a delay. If we don't get that, that's looking pretty dim for us for 2028. I don't think we've seen this level of disinvestment from the state and feds combined before, at least since I've been here. Can you

15:41 – 17:58•MGMarion Greene

That's true. Thank you. Okay. Commissioner Green. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Mr. Matthews, for both today's presentation and also to you and the team for this approach that we've had this year. You know, as I said to County Administrator Wendland earlier, like, okay, we sort of, we knew this was coming, but to see the figures in black and white is very sobering. And I want to sort of double down on something that Commissioner Fernando said, which is that there is this larger amount that's still in litigation. And one thing that we sort of all collectively agreed on was we didn't wa

18:01 – 20:08•JLJeffrey Lunde

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to thank staff for bringing this forward as such so that we can see the pain and the potential pain, because there's two spots that could get us. Because I think it's just being very honest with everybody. I also think it's worthwhile to be honest that the federal government hasn't changed how much money they take from us. Our taxes haven't changed a bit. the money they still collect goes to these funds. They're just not sending the money out. So we're not saving a dime on taxes, and based on the new forecast for the budget, the debt, we're not saving money

20:09 – 23:10•KAKevin Anderson

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yeah, echo the thanks of the work that's gone into all of the budget presentations that we've seen so far. And not just the budget presentations, but the work that's gone into, like, standardizing and showing us the extent of the mandated services you know you you mentioned like the the state cost shifts that we experienced as well as the federal we don't have an option of doing these things like we have to do this and we have a certain amount of work that we have to put into it that is mandated by either the state or the federal government And that is, I think, really

23:12 – 24:42•DGDebbie Goettel

Commissioner Adelson, did you want to speak? Okay. No, thank you again and appreciate that. So we're going to move on to item 1B, which is our second presentation for today. It's an annual update on Hennepin History Museum from the Executive Director, John Crippen. Before we jump into the presentation, I'd like to take a couple of minutes to recognize the key role that John played in the county's semi-quincentennial planning team, helping to design and implement programming aligned with the county's adopted themes of the power of peace and unfinished revolutions. He has been instrumental in el

37:15 – 37:42•DGDebbie Goettel

Well, thank you, Mr. Crippen. I really appreciate you being here. And I just want to say how thankful I am for the sustainability that you put under the bedrock of this Hennepin History Museum. A lot of us really love this and find it endearing. I also find that under your leadership that the programming has just soared and so has the participation because of the work that you have been doing. So I just want to say thank you. And I'm going to open it up to my colleagues, Commissioner Green and then Anderson.

37:45 – 38:26•MGMarion Greene

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Mr. Kirpin, for the presentation. I want to assert somewhat piggly that you're in my district. Yes. And you're not the highest profile museum. Correct. And yet, you're always doing something really vital. And by vital, I mean alive and relevant. And so I really appreciate that. And I feel like your presentation today is no exception. Thank you. So thank you for that. And definitely, I think, let all of us know about the events, because there were many things that I'd love to attend and be a part of.

39:09•MGMarion Greene

Well, thank you for saying yes. I feel like that's the coaching that we all get. Say yes, and you're saying yes.

39:21 – 40:54•KAKevin Anderson

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you so much for coming and giving the presentation and all of the work that you've been doing have always just been, since being introduced to the History Museum, have just always been so impressed with how you've approached the job of collecting and presenting history to people in relevant ways. And you had so many different great examples of it. And I also just want to highlight the amount of collaboration and partnership that you put into being able to formulate these exhibits. You have done so many amazing, unique things through this that have told stories

41:07 – 43:01•JLJeffrey Lunde

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to thank everyone, the volunteers, for the efforts. And just ask, because I always say, don't ask a question unless you're willing to volunteer. Because I do think it's Minneapolis-focused. And I think that when, you know, my district has, I believe, you know, 20 to 22 percent are foreign born. We talk about immigrants and they come from all over. It's not just one area. It is, as I say, the rainbow is very rainbowish. It's got everything. We have different tribal things that people have fled here seeking refuge. And I think that's very topical. And so I gue

43:34 – 44:08•JLJeffrey Lunde

And I would suggest leaving the standard Minnesota groups to come up because you're going to find out that the connections between the Brooklins, which I think was in the paper being the most diverse in the state, we don't have the same connections to these what I call institutional groups. Things that right we just don't have them people will come up to visit so they can put on a grant application They they were here working with us, but they disappear So I do think it's really important to really reach out there are churches there Leaders there that elders that I think really could help with

44:09 – 45:45•ACAngela Conley

Thank you Thank You Commissioner Conley Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Mr. Crippen, for the presentation. What amazing work you've been up to. I really appreciate how your work is intentional. The exhibits at the Hennepin History Museum are very intentional. They're very truth-telling. As you know, I've been a huge fan of this uplifting of the story of Eliza Winston, which led me to a panel discussion at the Hennepin History Museum. where I got my book, It Takes Courage, signed by Dr. Lehman. So thank you. And it opened up just this conversation about history that also impacts today, r

45:50 – 46:56•ACAngela Conley

Anyway, that's, sorry, you know what I was going. That's like the same spirit is that museums hoard and they collect and they collect and they collect, but there's, there's whole nations of people that had these artifacts stolen from them. And then we just showcase them. So I think it's admirable, honorable, and the right thing to do. to look at how to return what was taken. So just keep up the great work. I am a huge fan of all that you do. And I think my adventure into Hennepin History Museum started with a conversation around Minnesota being on the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. A

46:58•DGDebbie Goettel

Anyone else? I just want to thank you for coming and doing your update, and we'll look forward to seeing you next year with another great update.

47:09•DGDebbie Goettel

We will move on to item two, which is minutes from the previous meeting of August 13, 2025. May I have a motion?

47:17 – 48:15•DGDebbie Goettel

Any corrections or changes? All those in favor signify by aye. Aye. Motion carries. Next item three is a public hearing on the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act local plan. The public hearing will be conducted in person and via telephone. Persons not in attendance today but interested in commenting are invited to call a toll-free conference number now, and that number is 1-855- Again, I'll say that number again, 1-855-340-8151. And I think it's displaying on the screen. It is. While we wait for callers, I'd like to ask Ms. Nola Slager-Johnson and Ms. Mei Zhang to provide background. Thank y

50:12 – 50:50•DGDebbie Goettel

I want to thank you for the presentation today. And I will ask staff if there are any callers. I've been informed that there are no callers at this time. Okay. So is there anyone here in person who would like to speak to this? I would welcome anyone for three minutes to speak on this topic. I'll check one more time for any callers online. I've been informed again there's still no callers on the line. Okay, so then as if there's no callers, I'll take a motion to close the public hearing.

50:51 – 51:27•DGDebbie Goettel

All those in favor signify by aye. Aye. Motion carries. The public hearing is closed. We will move on to item four. There's a couple of routine items. Item four is to amend an agreement with Metro LLC for media planning, media procurement, and limited creative services to advance county strategic priorities extending the end date to 12-31 of 28, including including a not to exceed, increasing the not to exceed by $1.5 million for a new not to exceed of $3.5 million. Do I have a motion? Move approval.

51:28 – 52:02•DGDebbie Goettel

Does anybody want any explanations on this one? All those in favor signify by aye. Aye. Motion carries. Item 4B is approval of the submission of Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Local Plan to the State of Minnesota. I'll move this. Second. Does anybody else have any conversation, discussion? All those in favor, signify by aye. Aye. The motion carries. Items for discussion and action. Item 4C is Commissioner Compensation. Mr. Rogan, I believe. Oh, Commissioner. Is that Administrator Butlin? Okay.

52:48•DGDebbie Goettel

Thank you. I'll take a motion for items 4C through 4E. It's been moved and seconded. Any further discussion? Commissioner Anderson?

52:59 – 53:38•KAKevin Anderson

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to be really unpopular. Sorry, guys. Is there a possibility, at least for 4C, I know that we've asked staff departments to hold themselves to a 2% kind of a broadly 2% increase for next year's budget. And I would move, and if there's not a second, that's fine, to adjust the commissioner's compensation for next year's to 2% and then adjust the dollar amount correspondingly.

53:48 – 54:48•KAKevin Anderson

Again, like I said, I know that we are approaching a very difficult budget year, and we've asked every county department to hold themselves to a 2% increase. I know our staff are receiving the cola increases um that is in line with this but uh you know we are we operate a little bit differently on this floor and i think part of our obligation is to is to still lead by example and try to match what our workforce is dealing with and right now they're dealing with what is effectively a cut and not meeting the COLA increases that their contracts afford them. And so my proposal is to have our salar

54:51 – 55:31•IFIrene Fernando

Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate the motion for the amendment. I'll be voting against that. The 4%, Matt, I hear you on the 2% for department goals. My understanding from the administration is that the 4% matches the contract and that the 2% for the 2028 year is 2% because the contract is not in set yet for that year. So that's why I'll be voting against it. Additionally, because there's a block before us The percentage is consistent across the nine positions, three board actions is what I will be voting in favor of. Thank you, Madam Chair.

55:31•ACAngela Conley

Commissioner Conley? Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. I was going to say something along the same lines, which was are you motioning to, because all three, 4C, D, and E, are 4 and 2?

55:49 – 56:33•DGDebbie Goettel

Thank you. I just want to make a comment that I won't be supporting that motion either. Most likely because, again, this was a contract thing that we negotiated, and for years and years we have not compensated this office. And as we look to the future for other commissioners to take into some of these seats as some of us retire and come off, We need to make it – it's not an outrageous amount if we look at the colleagues. And there was a great study that Commissioner Fernando brought to us about compensation across the nation for commissioners, and we are well below that average. And so I won't

56:34 – 57:01•DGDebbie Goettel

Yep, for the amendment on 4C only. All those in favor signify by aye. All those opposed? Nay. The nays have it. So we'll go back to the original motion, which I'll ask for the slate of items 4C, D, and E. Do I have a motion? So moved. Second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. And that concludes our agenda.