Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting - January 27, 2026
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Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting - January 27, 2026
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:01 a.m. on January 27, 2026, to consider administrative items, receive updates on federal immigration enforcement impacts, and discuss budget adjustments. The meeting opened with a land acknowledgement, a statement from Chair Ortega condemning recent immigration enforcement actions and the death of Alex Pready, and a resolution to send a letter to federal senators. All votes were unanimous (6-0-1, with Commissioner McMurtrey excused). A presentation on the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District was tabled. The meeting adjourned at 10:43 a.m., followed by a closed meeting with the County Attorney's Office and outside counsel.
Consent Calendar
- Agenda Approval (Item 1, 2026-036): Approved as amended to table Item 8 (Metropolitan Mosquito Control District Presentation).
- Minutes Approval (Item 2, 2026-037): Approved the minutes of January 20, 2026.
- Correction to Public Health Fee Schedule (Item 4, 2026-029): Approved revised fee schedule for 2026-27 Environmental Health and Clinical Services (Resolution B2026-018).
Discussion Items
- Joint Powers Agreement with Dakota County for Tuberculosis Control Services (Item 3, 2025-510): Amy Caron, Director of Public Health, explained the 16-year partnership. Ramsey County bills Dakota County per case up to $70,000 for services. Discussion included potential impacts of federal policy changes and immigration enforcement on TB treatment access. Commissioners expressed confidence in cost recovery. Motion passed unanimously (Resolution B2026-019).
- 2025 Budget Adjustment for Lake Owasso Residence (Item 5, 2026-043): Deputy County Manager Nadir Abdi and Director Sophia Thompson presented. The facility, serving 59 of 64 adults with developmental disabilities, faced staffing shortages (20 vacancies reduced to 12) leading to overtime costs. A $2 million transfer from General Fund fund balance was requested to close 2025 budget. Discussion covered staff turnover, revenue misalignment, and advocacy for state reimbursement rates. Commissioners emphasized long-term fiscal sustainability and human cost of overtime. Motion passed unanimously (Resolution B2026-020).
- 2025 Budget Adjustment for Ramsey County Attorney's Office (Item 6, 2026-030): County Attorney John Choi requested $750,000 to cover a $1.2 million deficit driven by personnel costs and increased outside counsel fees (budgeted at $60,000 but actual $400,000). County Manager Becker noted improved budget monitoring for 2026-27. Discussion included forecasting, vacancy factor (5.9% in 2025), and potential immigration-related legal costs. Commissioners urged earlier notification of budget shortfalls. Motion passed unanimously (Resolution B2026-021).
- Allocation of Grant Funds for Youth Healing and Treatment Homes (Item 7, 2026-055): Approved $1,950,000 from Minnesota Department of Public Safety grant funds for acquisition of youth healing homes. Commissioner Xiong highlighted inclusion of a first-right-of-refusal clause for Ramsey County, effective after 10 years. Providers and community partners acknowledged for long engagement. Motion passed unanimously (Resolution B2026-022).
County Connections: Federal Immigration Enforcement Response
- County Manager Ling Becker provided an operational update on the county's response to recent immigration enforcement actions. A surge core team meets daily to coordinate services. Key actions include supporting St. Paul Public Schools (over 7,000 students shifted to virtual learning), maintaining service access via phone/virtual platforms, and deploying multi-lingual navigators. Staff are adapting service delivery models (e.g., virtual community engagement). The county continues to advocate for accountability and due process. Commissioners expressed solidarity with affected communities and called for transparent investigations.
Outside Board and Committee Reports
- Commissioner Miller: Co-hosted MLK event, attended statewide work group, mayor breakfast, garden program name change, Snelling-University alliance, spoke at Hamline Church.
- Commissioner Moran: Attended WIB membership committee, NYFS meeting on traumatic stress, Metropolitan Emergency Services Board (elected secretary for 2026). Noted special elections for South Maplewood 47A and 64.
- Commissioner Jebens-Singh: Met with Congresswoman Betty McCollum, emphasized need for immediate removal of ICE/CBP agents, full investigations, and family reunification. Encouraged community to continue supporting local providers.
- Commissioner McGuire: Met with legislative delegation (15 state legislators), discussed legislative agenda. MELSA board update (elected vice chair). Recycling and Energy board meeting on legislative agenda. AMC technical days. Upcoming Ramsey County League of Local Governments virtual town hall with congressional delegation.
- Commissioner Xiong: Highlighted community resilience, shared personal experience of neighbors witnessing ICE activity, called for documentation and continued peaceful resistance.
Board Chair Update
- Chair Ortega reported on meetings with S&P Global Ratings regarding county credit rating, and upcoming Regional Railroad Authority meeting, workshop on restrictive covenants, and closed meeting with outside counsel.
Key Outcomes
- Approved six motions unanimously: agenda as amended, minutes, Public Health fee schedule, TB control JPA ($70,000), Lake Owasso budget adjustment ($2 million), County Attorney budget adjustment ($750,000), and Youth Healing Homes grant ($1,950,000). Resolutions B2026-018 through B2026-022.
- Tabled Metropolitan Mosquito Control District Presentation (Item 8).
- Directed staff to provide mid-year memo on Lake Owasso Residence financial sustainability and to improve budget forecasting for County Attorney's Office.
- Reaffirmed county commitment to protect residents' access to services amid immigration enforcement, with daily surge team coordination.
- Scheduled closed meeting (12:37 p.m.) with County Attorney's Office and outside counsel (not open to public).
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to call to order the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners roll call, please. Chapin Singh. Here. Maguire. Here. Make my tree as excuse. Miller. Here. Moran. Here. John. Here. And we'll take it out. I can we stand for the pleasure of this. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic of which the stands one nation. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Yep. Thank you. Um, every community owes its existence and vitality to generations from around the world who contributed their hopes, dreams, and energy to making the history that led to this moment. Some were brought here against their will, some were drawn to leave their distant homes in hopes of a better life, and some have lived on this land since time immemorial. Truth and acknowledgement are critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. Please take a moment to consider the treaties made by the tribal nations that entitle non-native people to live and work on traditional native lands. Consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together here today. And please join us in uncovering such truths at any and all public events. Mr. Pretti, who was a registered intensive care unit nurse who served veterans of our community. This tragedy, in addition to the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother who was also fatally shot by immigration and custom enforcements on January 7th in Minneapolis. Thank you. So now we Commissioner Moore. Before we begin, I've been I'm over here trying to decide when I want to make a statement, and I guess I'll do it now. We were amending the agenda, so there's a little bit of, I'm trying to maneuver myself through this. The Ramsey County Board is deeply alarmed and saddened by the death of Alex Pready, a registered nurse in Minneapolis this past weekend after an incident involving federal immigration enforcement agents. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Alex's loved ones, colleagues, and the community in the midst of this loss. This is on top of the absorbing. This is on top of absorbing the shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, who was fairly shot on January 7th less than a month ago. Ramsey County condemns violence in our communities. The seriousness of these incidents and others demand transparency and accountability. Recognizing the critical role of partners like the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. We call for a full, unencumbered investigation and urge that findings be shared promptly and clearly with those immediately impacted and the public. Our communities are tired, excuse me, or tired and need time to heal. You must act now to stop this violence before more lives are lost, and to uphold the safety and civil liberties of all Americans. In response, I am sending a letter on behalf of my colleagues to our federal Minnesota Senators anticipating their action later this week. We strongly urge them to hold any further funding to the Department of Homeland Security. This action is necessary to ensure that federal law enforcement operations respect constituent constituent constitutional rights, protect human life, and are conducted with full accountability of the American people. Ramsey County has always been committed to building a community where all residents have the opportunity to thrive. That commitment has never wavered. And in this moment, it demands even greater resolve. In response to recent federal immigration enforcement actions and the separations of families, Ramsey County unequivocally reaffirms our commitment to supporting families and standing with our communities during times of fear and uncertainty. Ramsey County remains steadfast in ensuring that our residents can continue to access the critical county services they rely on safely, without disruption, and without hesitation.
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