Hennepin County, Minnesota, offers a comprehensive stock option grants and exercises program for its employees. Stock options are a form of compensation that provides employees with the opportunity to purchase shares of their employer's company stock at a predetermined price, known as the exercise price. These stock options are often granted as a part of an employee's overall compensation package. Stock option grants provide employees with the right to purchase company stock at a later date, typically after a specified vesting period. Vesting refers to the length of time an employee must work for the company before gaining full ownership of the granted stock options. The grant date, exercise price, and vesting period are all determined by the company's stock option plan. Employees can exercise their stock options once they have vested, allowing them to purchase company stock at the previously set exercise price. This exercise price is usually lower than the current market price, providing employees with a potentially profitable opportunity if the stock price rises over time. Employees may choose to hold onto the purchased stock or sell it at the market price, depending on their financial goals and market conditions. Hennepin County's stock option program includes various types of grants and exercises, such as non-qualified stock options (Nests) and incentive stock options (SOS). Non-qualified stock options are more common and offer flexibility in terms of exercise timing and tax implications. On the other hand, incentive stock options provide certain tax advantages but come with more restrictive rules. Fiscal year-end values are an essential aspect of tracking the performance and value of stock options. The fiscal year-end value represents the fair market value of the stock options at the end of the company's fiscal year. It allows employees to assess the growth and potential profitability of their stock option grants. Overall, Hennepin County's stock option grants and exercises program provides employees with an opportunity to benefit financially from the success of the company. By offering different types of stock options and considering fiscal year-end values, the program aims to incentivize and reward employees for their contributions to the organization's growth and performance.