Hennepin County, located in Minnesota, is proposing an amendment to its restated certificate of incorporation to authorize the issuance of preferred stock. This proposed amendment aims to broaden the county's financial options and provide flexibility in raising capital for various projects and initiatives. Preferred stock is a type of stock that generally receives preferential treatment over common stock in terms of dividends and liquidation preferences. By authorizing the issuance of preferred stock, Hennepin County would be able to attract new investors and potentially enhance its financial standing. There are different types of preferred stock that Hennepin County may consider incorporating into its certificate of incorporation. These types include: 1. Cumulative preferred stock: This type of preferred stock guarantees that if the company fails to pay dividends in any given year, the dividends will accumulate and must be paid before any dividends can be paid to common stockholders. 2. Convertible preferred stock: Convertible preferred stock allows the shareholder to convert their shares into a predetermined number of common shares at a specified conversion ratio. This feature provides the investor with an opportunity to benefit from any potential increase in the value of the company's common stock. 3. Participating preferred stock: Participating preferred stock entitles the shareholder to receive both a fixed dividend and an additional dividend based on the company's profitability. With participating preferred stock, investors may have the opportunity to earn a higher return on their investment. 4. Non-cumulative preferred stock: Non-cumulative preferred stock does not accumulate unpaid dividends. If the company fails to pay dividends in a particular year, the investor does not have the right to claim those dividends in the future. By adding the authorization of preferred stock to its restated certificate of incorporation, Hennepin County aims to diversify its capital structure and attract new investors who are specifically interested in preferred stock offerings. The ability to issue preferred stock may provide Hennepin County with increased financial flexibility and resources to support its various operations, projects, and strategic initiatives.