Hennepin licensing centers stay open; 127 likely avoid layoffs

Hennepin County officials reversed themselves Thursday and said that its seven service centers will remain open to renew drivers' licenses, issue vehicle tabs, and conduct other business even if the state shuts down. County administrator Richard Johnson said that the 127 workers at the centers received layoff notices, but most if not all of them will be rescinded.

Earlier in the week, it was not clear which state computer systems would be available during a shutdown, and whether it made sense to keep the centers open.

"What we know today is that the state system for driver's licenses will be available, the systems for public health will be available, but the DNR systems will not," Johnson said. With that in mind, he said, the county centers will remain open to take care of motor vehicle licenses, marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, but not hunting, fishing and boating licenses.

Board chairman Mike Opat said he didn't like the idea of the county "backfilling" for the state, and worried that citizens who won't be able to do business online with the state might create long lines at county service centers and overwhelm staff workers.

The decision to keep the centers open came during a briefing of Hennepin County commissioners about Ramsey District Court Chief Judge Kathleen Gearin's ruling about state functions that must continue during a state shutdown. The ruling said programs will continue that provide cash and food support for low-income families. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said that includes the Minnesota Family Investment Program, which provides a variety of services including child care for 5,000 children a month in the county. Freeman is seeking clarification about whether a separate child-care assistance program that uses a sliding fee scale will also receive continued funding.

For the most part, officials said there are several "gray areas" where the county is seeking more information, especially in human services programs that include money for homeless shelters and emergency case management.

The county also wants clarification about whether county program aid, similar to local government aid provided to cities, will be distributed. Gearin ruled that the local government aid should be provided, but did not mention the county program, which is used mostly to offset property taxes. Hennepin County receives it twice a year, including a $10 million payment expected in July.

The board scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday, July 6 at 9 a.m. to get a more clarity about what will not funded if the state shuts down, and to decide whether to contest any of those decisions.

Tom Meersman