Ramsey County Board Meeting April 28, 2026: Settlement Authority Increase & Metro Surge Update

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met on April 28, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Council Chambers, Courthouse Room 300. All seven commissioners (Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Xiong, and Chair Ortega) were present, along with County Manager Ling Becker and Civil Division Director Jada Lewis. The meeting included approval of routine items, an amendment to increase settlement authority, a legislative update, a detailed county connections report on the Metro Surge financial impact, and outside board and committee reports. The board adjourned at 10:03 a.m.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda of April 28, 2026 – Approved unanimously (motion by Xiong, seconded Moran; 7-0).
• Minutes of April 21, 2026 – Approved unanimously (motion by Moran, seconded Xiong; 7-0).

Discussion Items

• Amendment to Administrative Code to Increase Settlement Authority (Item 3, 2026-144) – Commissioner McGuire moved, seconded by Xiong, to approve changes raising settlement authority thresholds: Enterprise Risk Manager and Civil Division Director from $15,000 to $50,000; County Manager, CFO, and County Attorney (jointly) from $30,000 to $100,000; and board closed-meeting authority from above $30,000 to above $100,000. The motion passed unanimously (7-0), and the resolution was adopted as B2026-052.
• Legislative Update – Commissioner McGuire reported that the House Capital Investment Committee heard an informational presentation on local bonding requests, including the River's Edge project. He thanked Commissioner Moran for testifying and noted that both House and Senate leaders are working on the project, which requires a two-thirds majority. On federal updates, he mentioned the U.S. Senate adopted a budget blueprint for a $70 billion increase in immigration enforcement and DHS funding, with House Republicans planning to use budget reconciliation to avoid a shutdown.
• County Connections / Metro Surge Update – County Manager Ling Becker provided a comprehensive update on the Metro Surge operation. She highlighted:
  • Total county costs: approximately $1 million, including ~$600,000 in employee hours diverted from other duties, ~$350,000 in lost revenue from reduced enrollments and event attendance, and miscellaneous costs for training and mental health support.
  • City of St. Paul impacts (based on similar methodology as Minneapolis): $129 million in small business losses (Jan–Feb), a rent gap of $15–16 million per month, and $118 million in lost household income (Jan–Feb).
  • Internal after-action review strengths: prior preparation with the County Attorney's Office, effective surge team coordination, consistent employee/public communication, and staff support. Areas for improvement: earlier activation of the response team, delayed guidance, and insufficient support for employees working outside regular hours.
  • The county will share the financial impact data with state and federal legislators. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the update and discussed the need for ongoing monitoring of ripple effects, improved real-time communication with the community, and collection of qualitative stories from staff and residents. Commissioner Moran asked about learning from other metro counties; Becker noted that Ramsey County’s strong interagency relationships (with city, port authority, chamber, etc.) were a key asset. Chair Ortega emphasized the importance of staff well-being and community partnerships.
• Outside Board and Committee Reports – Commissioners reported attending various events and meetings, including:
  • Commissioner Xiong: Mayor Her's State of the City address, Minnesota African American Family Preservation Act meetings, Metropolitan Mosquito Control Board, Heading Home Ramsey, and a Jack and Jill legislative day panel.
  • Commissioner Miller: Mosquito Control Board, Tamarack Nature Center pancake dinner, Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation District Spring Meeting, and Rising Together celebration.
  • Commissioner Moran: Hamline Midway neighborhood cleanup, meeting with Isaiah group about Metro Surge and economic development, and meeting with Downtown Alliance.
  • Commissioner Jebens-Singh: Battle Creek Park cleanup, Tamarack Nature Center volunteer appreciation, Friends of the Library book sale, Friends of the Boundary Waters event, Shoreview Spring Fest, Burns Institute cohort, and Direct Care and Treatment Advisory Board update.
  • Commissioner McMurtrey: Roseville Earth Day, St. Anthony Village cleanup, and Climate Smart Municipalities and Counties calls (including data centers discussion).
  • Commissioner McGuire: Capitol Region Watershed District exhibit, SNAP subcommittee meeting (HR1 error reduction, SNAP bill status), East Side Funders Group with Public Works Director Isaacson (construction impacts and $5,000 business grants, $60,000 gap on East 7th Street), and Burns Institute cohort.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Resolution B2026-052 amending the Administrative Code to increase settlement authority tiers (7-0).
• Received and discussed the Metro Surge financial impact summary; directed County Manager Becker to share information with state and federal legislators.
• Continued monitoring of Metro Surge ripple effects and community needs; staff encouraged to use available mental health resources.
• Scheduled following meetings: Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Solid Waste Governance Workshop, Tax Increment Financing Lunch and Learn, and All Hands on Deck workshop.