Hennepin Co. Commissioners Give Themselves Healthy Perk

Commissioners voted 4-3 to approve a perk that could reimburse them up to $2,000 a year for health and fitness. The offer is also extended to the county's other two elected officials, the County Attorney and County Sheriff.

Under the plan, commissioners could spend up to $2,000 on their health and fitness and then be reimbursed for the expenses.

County Commissioner Jeff Johnson tells 5 EYEWITNESS News that he will not accept the perk and voted against it. Johnson says it sends the wrong message when commissioners vote themselves an attractive benefit while county employees have not had a pay raise in two years.

Johnson also says it is not fair to Hennepin County taxpayers, some of whom, he says, are still seeing increases in their property taxes.

County employees have the same benefit, but they have to trade in their paid time off, or vacation pay, in order to receive the benefit. The nine elected officials would not have to trade anything to get the perk.

County Commission Chairman Mike Opat says the program is an incentive for employees and elected officials to get healthier and save money for taxpayers in the long run.