Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting - September 2, 2025

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on September 2, 2025, at 9:31 a.m. in Council Chambers, Courthouse Room 300. All seven commissioners were present, with Commissioner McMurtrey attending remotely. The meeting included approval of the agenda and minutes, two administrative items, a major policy presentation on the proposed 2026-2027 biennial budget, and reports from outside boards and committees. The meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m., followed by a workshop on the projected impact of 2026 taxes payable.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval (2025-337): Approved unanimously (7-0) on a motion by Moran, seconded by Xiong.
• Minutes Approval (2025-338): Approved unanimously (7-0) on a motion by Moran, seconded by Miller.
• Administrative Item 3: Ramsey County 2025 Cooperative Deer Management Plan (2025-321): Approved unanimously (7-0) on a motion by McGuire, seconded by Jebens-Singh. Resolution B2025-163.
• Administrative Item 4: Revoke County Road 94/South Shore Boulevard and revert to White Bear Township (2025-349): Approved unanimously (7-0) on a motion by McGuire, seconded by Jebens-Singh. Resolution B2025-164.

Public Comments & Testimony

No public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Presentation of the Proposed 2026-2027 Biennial Budget (2025-354): County Manager Ling Becker presented the recommended budget, emphasizing it as "the most difficult budget in recent history." Key points included:
  • Proposed total budget of approximately $930 million for 2026 (6.57% increase over 2025) and $970 million for 2027 (4.22% increase).
  • Proposed property tax levy increases of 9.75% for 2026 and 7.5% for 2027, with about 5% and 4% respectively tied to employee investments.
  • Elimination of 43 filled positions and addition of 110 FTEs in 2026 and 30.5 FTEs in 2027, with staff reductions in non-core county responsible services and investments in core services, including the Appropriate Response Initiative, public benefits access, and technology modernization.
  • Drivers: employee compensation modernization, rising state cost shifts and unfunded mandates, and need to direct resources to core services.
  • Organizational restructuring: sunsetting the Strategic Team and Information/Public Record service teams, creating a new County Operations Service Team and a Community Services and Support Service Team, effective January 1, 2026.
  • Continued advocacy for reforming County Program Aid formula, as Ramsey County receives less than fair share despite being the second most populous county.
• County Manager and Commissioner Comments:
  • Commissioner Moran (Budget Chair) thanked the county manager, outlined the budget process timeline, and emphasized the need for public participation.
  • Chair Ortega noted the budget prepares for four years of anticipated federal cuts, not just two.
  • Commissioner McGuire expressed concern about federal cost shifts and the reliance on property taxes, urging continued advocacy.
  • Commissioner Xiong asked for clarification on FTE changes; County Manager Becker explained that staff reductions are in non-core areas while additions are in core county responsible services and to sustain ARPA-funded programs.
  • Commissioner Jebens-Singh appreciated investments in staff and data systems for accountability.
  • Commissioner Xiong also requested more detailed conversations with the Joint Property Tax Advisory Committee and highlighted the Boys Totem Town redevelopment opportunity.
  • Commissioner McMurtrey (remote) praised the focus on revenue generation (e.g., grants office, random moment time study) to reduce property tax reliance.
• County Connections Update: County Manager Becker announced the conclusion of the "All Hands on Deck" effort to reduce public assistance backlogs, with a new initiative called "Accuracy and Access" aimed at reducing the SNAP error rate, targeting a 50% reduction in the first six months and 95% on-time case processing.
• Outside Board and Committee Reports:
  • Commissioner Xiong reported on the Gold Line Joint Powers Board meeting (approved 2026 administrative budget, clean audit, rising ridership) and the Recycling and Energy Board (strategic planning, accelerated EV contracts due to federal shifts).
  • Commissioner McGuire reported on the Ramsey Washington Recycling and Energy Board (vendor selection for food scraps pickup program) and a County Road C open house.
  • Commissioner Jebens-Singh attended commitment hearings and alternative courts, completed a District 1 parks tour, and announced the new executive director of Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative.
  • Commissioner Miller attended the Metropolitan Conservation Districts Joint Powers Board (routine approvals, Metro Children's Water Festival planning).
  • Commissioner McMurtrey had no committee updates due to family leave.
  • Commissioner Moran reported on the Roots Navigator/Free Trial Justice Committee, St. Paul Promise Neighborhood strategic cabinet, and the Minnesota African American Family Preservation Act statewide team.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All agenda items approved unanimously (7-0).
• Budget Process Next Steps:
  • Department budget presentations: September 15-22, 2025.
  • Joint Property Tax Advisory Committee meeting with St. Paul: September 15.
  • First public hearing: September 22 at 5 p.m.
  • Board sets maximum 2026 levy: September 23.
  • Property tax statements mailed to residents: mid-November.
  • Truth in Taxation hearing: December 11.
  • Final budget adoption: December 16.
• Commissioner-Led Budget Forums: Commissioner Moran announced plans to host district budget meetings; Commissioner Xiong invited District 6 residents to a session on September 4 at Sunray Library.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m., followed by a workshop on the projected impact of 2026 taxes payable.