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Several Hennepin County commissioners say they’re concerned about the county sheriff’s office spending, after the office came in millions of dollars over budget for 2025. That discussion sparked friction with the sheriff’s office.

A committee of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously this week to amend the 2025 sheriff’s office budget by adding $15.4 million. The bulk of that funding — $11.7 million — will come out of the county’s unrestricted fund balance. 

Several commissioners said they want to look into that budget.

Commissioner Marion Greene said she wants to avoid overspending on that office. She said local police departments should serve as the main enforcers of public safety on the streets, not the sheriff’s office.

“I'm not willing to fund the sheriff to provide public safety for Hennepin County,” Greene said. “I don't think that that can be something that that office can take on and do well.”

In a statement on social media, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office criticized Greene’s comments.

“That statement contradicts long-standing practice, Minnesota state law, and the public safety realities in our Hennepin County communities,” the office said.

The office also shared a letter online signed by several mayors and police chiefs in the county. 

“Public safety in Hennepin County is a shared responsibility, and the sheriff’s office is an indispensable part of that ecosystem,” the letter reads. “Commissioner Greene’s suggestion that local police departments can absorb this responsibility is not grounded in reality, tradition or Minnesota law.”

The letter urged the county to keep up its funding to the sheriff’s office. 

Greene voted in favor of covering the budget overrun with county funds and did not share any plans to pursue cuts or changes in funding for the office in the future.

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Estelle Timar-Wilcox

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Hennepin County commissioners approved a $15.4 million budget increase for the sheriff’s office after it overspent, sparking tensions over public safety roles and future funding.

Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, commissioner at odds over budget

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