Item Description:
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Approval of 2026 Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority levy and budget
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) Board of Commissioners adopts final tax levies of $9,265,200 for debt service and $24,734,800 for general operating purposes for a total of $34,000,000 for year 2026; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2026 HCRRA budget, attached, be approved at $34,064,104.
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Background:
On September 25, 2025, the HCRRA Board of Commissioners set HCRRA’s maximum levy for 2026 at $34,000,000 with a budget of $34,064,104 (Resolution 25-HCRRA-0016).
The HCRRA levy and budget support the authority’s mission to preserve and develop rail corridors for future transit use and to maintain infrastructure that supports regional mobility. The 2026 budget includes:
• $8 million in new budget authority for the METRO Blue Line Extension (Bottineau LRT)
• $3.7 million for Midtown Corridor bridge improvements, supporting long-term infrastructure needs
• $8.5 million for corridor maintenance and operations, including preservation of 40 miles of rail corridors, staff support for transitway planning, and oversight of HCRRA-owned assets
Current Request: Adoption of final tax levies of $9,265,200 for debt service and $24,734,800 for general operating purposes for a total of $34,000,000 for year 2026, and approval of the HCRRA 2026 budget of $34,064,104.
Impact/Outcome: Adoption of the 2026 HCRRA levy of $34,000,000 and budget of $34,064,104 ensures continued investment in regional transit infrastructure and maintains HCRRA’s corridor assets and operational capacity in alignment with Hennepin County’s priority to eliminate disparities and mitigate climate impacts.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval