On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners met in a special meeting where, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 12.29, a Local Emergency was declared and several actions were discussed and unanimously adopted to establish the county's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through Resolution No. 20-0118R1 the County Board, among other actions, delegated authority to the County Administrator of up to $2.5 million to purchase and contract for all necessary goods, materials, supplies, equipment, and contracted services as part of the Hennepin County’s COVID-19 response.

Through Resolution No. 20-0120 the County Board authorized the County Administrator to negotiate lease(s) to provide alternative living spaces for county-dependent individuals during the period March 17, 2020 through December 31, 2020, in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000.

On Tuesday, April 7, 2020, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners met in a regular meeting and considered action to make available additional funds for the extended response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through Resolution No. 20-0131 the County Board, among other actions, delegated authority to the County Administrator for an additional $3,000,000 for COVID-19 response, including up to $2,000,000 to purchase and contract for all necessary goods, materials, supplies, equipment, and contracted services, and up to $1,000,000 to negotiate lease(s) to provide alternative living spaces for county-dependent individuals.

The county intends to pursue state and federal reimbursement, including but not limited to FEMA funding and CARES act funding.

Current Request: The current request clarifies the County Administrator’s delegated authority, to include any lease(s) necessary for the County’s COVID-19 response, and seeks delegation of up to $4.0 million for COVID-19 response for additional purchase and contract of all necessary goods, materials, supplies, equipment, and contracted services; and to negotiate any necessary lease(s), including but not limited to providing increased capacity of alternative living spaces for county-dependent individuals.