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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 8, 2012 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 21 (4. HENNEPIN COUNTY UPDATE FROM DISTRICT 6, COMMISSIONER JAN CALLISON, Continued) and through the years Hennepin County has made a concerted effort to reduce that number. In 2012, that number has decreased to approximately 150 families per night, but that is a slight increase from 2011. Callison noted that typically Hennepin County sees the peak demand start in October and the shelter facilities are already beyond capacity. Hennepin County is seeing the largest growth in medical and food support programs. The monthly average for individuals on medical programs has experienced a 26 percent increase and a 69 percent increase in the number of people receiving food stamps. The monthly average calls to child protection also shows an increase of 28 percent over the past four years and a 13 percent increase over the past four years in monthly average calls to adult protection. Overall the number of social workers has declined by 14 percent over the past four years. The Hennepin County Administrator has requested department heads come in with a 2 percent cut in their programs generally given the tough economic environment. Hennepin County has a long budget process that it goes through. Hennepin County set its maximum levy on September 11th at a 1 percent tax increase. On September 5th, the Hennepin County Commissioner proposed a levy increase of .9 percent for the general operating budget and an overall budget increase of 1.2 percent. The County Assessor stated the period for values that will be used in 2013 shows overall residential property values declining while commercial and industrial values have increased slightly. Hennepin County will start its budget hearing process on Wednesday, the Truth-In-Taxation hearing is scheduled for November 27th, and final action on the budget will be taken on December 11th. The hearings will be televised and the public is invited to provide input and ask questions. Callison noted the Hennepin County Administrator will be retiring at the end of December and that the County will be starting the process in the near future to fill that vacancy. In addition, Hennepin County is constructing a new $34 million dispatch facility in Plymouth at the county workhouse site. Hennepin County has had a policy of not accepting new cities into the dispatch system and currently dispatches approximately one-third of the calls in Hennepin County. Minneapolis dispatches for one-third of the calls. In addition, there are currently seven or eight independent Public Safety Answering Points consisting of Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Edina, Bloomington, Richfield, Golden Valley, and St. Louis Park, and they account for another one-third of the dispatches. Each property owner pays a small fee for the county dispatch system. If you live in a city that also has its own dispatch system, you would also be paying for the city system. Part of what Hennepin County is attempting to do is to rationalize that system and the costs allocated to each city. Minneapolis is too large for the county to absorb. A study regarding the costs of the dispatch system has been conducted and the results have been finalized. Callison indicated she has spoken with representatives from five or six cities and can understand their concern not to change the system partnership. Callison noted she also recently received a letter from Mayor McMillan regarding pedestrian and traffic concerns at Highways 15 and 19 in Orono. Callison indicated she will be following up on that to see what options are available to address those concerns. Printup stated he received some positive feedback regarding the Citizens Academy. Printup asked if Commissioner Callison could provide a brief background on that program. Item #02 - CC Agenda - 10/22/2012 Approval of Council Minutes 10/08/2012 [Page 2 of 21]