Ramsey County Budget Committee of the Whole: Health and Wellness Service Team Budget – September 19, 2025

The Ramsey County Budget Committee of the Whole convened on September 19, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 12:00 p.m. (with lunch break) and then from 1:00 p.m. to later afternoon, to review the proposed 2026-2027 budget for the Health and Wellness Service Team. The meeting featured presentations from multiple department directors and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), followed by extensive discussion and questions from commissioners. Key dates for the budget process were noted: the first public hearing on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.; the board will set the maximum 2026 property tax levy on Tuesday, September 23, 2025; a second public hearing on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.; and final approval of the budget and levy on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No oral public comments were made during this meeting. The committee chair reminded the public of two scheduled public hearings (September 22 and December 11) and the opportunity to submit written comments at any time.

Discussion Items

Office of Health and Wellness (Controller Janelle White)

• The Office of Health and Wellness budget (page 442) includes a net increase of 3 FTEs: two positions focused on random moment revenue (federal reimbursement for eligible staff time) and one position for Medicaid support and enrollment. A reduction of 1 FTE (planning specialist) through attrition. The creation of the Division of Fiscal Services centralized all health and wellness fiscal staff (57.8 FTEs) to improve collaboration and consistency. CFO Alice Kutza emphasized that the two random moment trainers are needed to maximize federal revenue; Hennepin County has over 10 trainers while Ramsey County currently has one. The positions are expected to generate more revenue than their cost. Commissioner Jeffris asked about tracking and accountability; County Manager Becker noted a cross-service team will be formed to oversee random moment improvements.

Division of Innovation and Strategy (presented by CFO Alice Kutza)

• The division provides evaluation, human services technology, and holds administrative costs for Social Services and Financial Assistance Services. Major changes include: moving evaluation team to the County Manager’s office; moving early childhood work and family coach program to Public Health; ending mail processing for Ramsey County Courts and City of St. Paul (saving postage costs); decreasing rent by $2 million due to moving out of the East building to Metro Square; investing in electronic case file management systems (Northwoods Traverse: $550,000 annually starting 2026; Caseworks: $700,000 annually starting 2027). The budget also funds replacement of older FAS systems. Commissioners asked about expected efficiency gains; CFO Kutza noted it is too early to quantify but the move from paper will save staff time.

Social Services (Director Sophia Thompson)

• Social Services presented a budget focused on county responsible services, investing in staff, reducing wait times. Key investments: 80 FTEs approved in March 2025 for Aging and Disability Services/Minnesota Choices – 47 hired (59%) with 9.9M cost in 2026 generating an estimated $12M in revenue; 32 new FTEs in Children and Family Services to meet safety mandates ($2.5M in 2026, $4.5M in 2027); 5 new FTEs in Mental Health for vulnerable adult protection and crisis response. Major changes: closing the county-operated detox and withdrawal management program on December 31, 2025 (annual savings of over $2M, eliminating 39.5 FTEs); shifting 13 FTEs from child protection grant back to levy. Pressures include rising placement costs (13.72% increase over four years for youth) and a 242% increase in Rule 20 cases since 2020. The budget also reflects partnership with Safety and Justice for the Appropriate Response Initiative (17 FTEs funded through Safety and Justice levy).

Veterans Services (Director Ross)

• Veterans Services budget (pages 526-539) proposes a transfer of a senior social worker from Social Services to Veterans Services (cost shift of ~$131,000) and addition of an administrative position for front-end service delivery, funded through a mix of grants and interdepartmental transfers. The department serves approximately 3,500-4,000 veterans out of an estimated 20,000-23,000 in Ramsey County. No federal funds are received for county veteran service officers. The Veterans Treatment Court mentor program and daily outreach at the ADC were highlighted. Performance measures are being revised to better track new veterans accessing benefits.

Financial Assistance Services (Director Ali Ali)

• FAS budget (pages 463-475) includes a merger of 33 enterprise service navigators into FAS to create a single point of contact for residents. Staffing growth from 379 FTEs (2024) to 465 FTEs (2026/27). Key investments: 22 previously authorized but unfunded positions now funded; 28 staff for basic sliding fee child care (self-funded); barrier assistance funding increased from $550,000 to $950,000 annually. The ‘All Hands on Deck’ initiative reduced backlogs; timeliness has improved. Director Ali noted that SNAP and Medicaid are under federal policy uncertainty (expanded work requirements, shortened certification periods) which could increase workloads. The department serves over 150,000 residents on medical assistance and 90,000 on SNAP.

Community Corrections (Director Monica Long)

• Community Corrections budget (pages 540-557) focuses on client programming and collaboration. Major initiatives: maintaining client compensation at Ramsey County Correctional Facility (RCCF) at $80,000; free phone calls/video visits increased by $150,000; ending lease at 800 Minnehaha and moving to community-based service model; Project Bridge collaboration with Sheriff’s Office – $2M increase in 2026 and $2.1M in 2027 to house up to 70 pre-sentence clients from the Adult Detention Center (ADC). The department reduced FTEs over time due to lower probation population (from 13,000 to 9,000) though client risk level is higher. The youth detention center (JDC) population is low (10-12 on high days). The department is preparing for the Minnesota Department of Corrections Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (expected March 2026) which could add ~600 additional clients.

Public Health (Director Amy Kairn)

• Public Health budget (pages 504-525) is nationally accredited. Major changes: personnel services increase of 27.8 FTEs (many previously approved); reduction in WIC levy ($326,000) and Trusted Messenger program levy ($400,000); reduction in Healing Streets program levy ($300,000) reflecting refined scope. Correctional health services face a levy increase of over $1M due to rising costs. A $100,000 one-time assessment for correctional health is included. Opioid settlement dollars are being strategically planned with a community advisory group. The clinical services building at 555 Cedar is deteriorating; property management is seeking temporary space while a long-term plan is developed. Commissioner Jeffris questioned whether public health could better leverage grants to reduce levy pressure; a deep dive review of public health is planned for 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Upcoming public hearings: September 22 (5:00 p.m.) and December 11 (6:00 p.m.).
• Levy setting: The board will set the maximum 2026 property tax levy on September 23, 2025.
• Final budget approval: December 16, 2025.
• Budget decisions reflected in the meeting: The Health and Wellness Service Team budget includes difficult trade-offs such as closing the detox center, reducing some programs, and making targeted investments in revenue capture and staffing.
• Next meeting: Safety and Justice Service Team presentation on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.