Item Description:
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Transfer Disparity Elimination departments from the General Fund to the Human Services Fund; Rename the Human Services and Public Health department as the Human Services, Public Health, and Disparity Elimination department, effective January 1, 2027
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Resolution:
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WHEREAS, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners established the Disparity Elimination line of business and departments in the General Fund to eliminate disparities across Hennepin County; and
WHEREAS, the Human Services and Public Health department provides core services that are operationally and strategically aligned with the Disparity Elimination departments; and
WHEREAS, aligning the financial reporting and oversight of the Disparity Elimination Administration department, Climate and Resiliency department, Education Support Services department, Broadband and Digital Inclusion department, Outreach and Community Supports department, and Workforce Development department within the Human Services Fund will streamline administration and support integrated service delivery.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the “Human Services and Public Health” department will include the identified Disparity Elimination departments and be renamed “Human Services, Public Health, and Disparity Elimination” (HSPHDE), effective January 1, 2027; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners transfers the Disparity Elimination Administration department, Broadband and Digital Inclusion department, Climate and Resiliency department, Education Support Services department, Outreach and Community Supports department, and Workforce Development in the General Fund to the Human Services Fund, effective January 1, 2027; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Administrator, Chief Financial Officer, and HSPHDE leadership be authorized to implement required budget, personnel, accounting, and similar financial reclassifications necessary to support and effectuate these actions; and that the Controller be authorized to transfer funds as directed.
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Background:
The Disparity Elimination line of business provides services that align closely with those provided by the Human Services and Public Health department. Human services provided by Hennepin County are eligible for state and federal administrative revenue. Moving Disparity Elimination departments under the Human Services and Public Health department creates new opportunities for revenues and efficiencies with administrative resources. With this resolution, the Disparity Elimination departments will be separate service areas in the Human Services, Public Health, and Disparity Elimination department. Disparity Elimination will continue to exist as a line of business.
With Board approval, the Office of Budget and Finance and county leadership would work together to implement these changes within the 2027 budget.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval