Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting – July 28, 2026

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on July 28, 2026, at 9:02 a.m. in Council Chambers, Courthouse Room 300. The meeting adjourned at 10:51 a.m. All seven commissioners were present: Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Xiong, and Chair Ortega. The agenda was amended to add a Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Saint Paul (Item 7) and to move County Connections to immediately follow the approval of the agenda and minutes.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval (2026‑270): Approved unanimously after amendments to add Item 7 and reorder County Connections.
• Minutes Approval (2026‑271): Approved unanimously.
• Appointments to Workforce Innovation Board (2026‑257): Approved the reappointment of five incumbents for terms August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2028: Tami Cybulski (Business), Ethel Garcia (Business), Jennifer Germain (One-Stop Partner), Fidelity Goodlaxson (Community-Based Organization), John Perlich (Business).
• Cooperative Deer Management Plan (2026‑255): Approved the 2026 plan.
• Operations and Maintenance Funding from Metropolitan Council (2026‑254): Authorized the County Manager to accept O&M funds annually and to use the Regional Rehabilitation project for future O&M budgeting.
• Joint Powers Agreement with City of Saint Paul for Emergency Shelters (2026‑284): Approved unanimously (see Discussion Items).

Recognition

• Medical Examiner Investigator Vicky received a national award from a leading international forensic organization. County Manager Ling Becker and DCM Gloria Reyes acknowledged her 34 years of service and the recognition for the office.

Discussion Items

Staffing Study Recommendations for the Adult Detention Center (Item 6, 2026‑262)

• Proposal: Based on an independent staffing study by Matrix Consulting Group (2025), the Sheriff’s Office requested an increase of 32.0 Full‑Time Equivalent (FTE) positions at the Adult Detention Center: 23.0 Correctional Officers, 1.0 Community Service Officer, and 8.0 Unfunded Correctional Officers (for attrition management). The board also authorized transfer of up to $1 million from the General Contingency Account to the Sheriff’s 2026 operating budget.
• Overtime Context: Overtime at the ADC rose 251% from 2019 to 2025, reaching a structural level of approximately $2.6 million in 2025. The study confirmed that current staffing is insufficient to meet operational demands without heavy overtime.
• Positions:
  • County Manager Ling Becker emphasized legal obligations for safe, compliant jail operations and that the positions are for the ADC only, not patrol deputies.
  • Sheriff Bob Fletcher supported the study’s findings and committed to:
    • Reducing overtime by $900,000–$1 million in the fourth quarter of 2026.
    • Closing one pod for at least six months beginning August 2026, which will further reduce overtime and staff burnout.
    • Monthly meetings with the audit chair (Commissioner Jebens-Singh) for accountability.
    • Regular written updates to the board on hiring progress and overtime.
  • Commissioners Moran, Xiong, McGuire, and McMurtrey voiced support, stressing accountability, retention challenges, and the need for long‑term solutions. Commissioner Xiong noted that the workhouse (Community Corrections) managed overtime differently and that additional positions may not eliminate overtime entirely. Chair Ortega noted the ongoing nature of such management issues and the importance of open communication.
• Workforce Plans: Advertising for positions yielded ~200 applicants, 77 advanced to background checks, and Sheriff Fletcher expects to expedite hiring, with a target of full complement by mid‑September 2026.
• Future Study Components: County Manager Becker outlined five additional areas from the Matrix study that require deeper work: overtime code management, court responsibilities, community resource officers at schools, Regions Hospital partnerships, and data/budget roles. Work groups will be formed in fall 2026.

Joint Powers Agreement with City of Saint Paul for Emergency Shelters (Item 7, 2026‑284)

• Proposal: Approve a JPA with the City of Saint Paul to accept $1,080,000 in Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) funds to support emergency shelter, stabilization, and housing connections for individuals experiencing homelessness, including those affected by the Pig’s Eye Park encampment closure (scheduled August 5, 2026). The agreement runs from July 28, 2026 through December 31, 2028.
• Funding Breakdown (as clarified by staff):
  • The city is transferring the full $1,080,000 to the county.
  • The county had already committed $969,000 for 49 emergency shelter beds at Catholic Charities (Higher Ground) using 2025 LAHA funds and some opioid settlement money.
  • Of that $969,000, $200,000 will be reimbursed from the new JPA, reducing the county’s net cost to $769,000.
  • The remaining $880,000 from the city will fund a new solicitation (opening immediately after the meeting) for additional emergency shelter beds.
  • Total combined county/city investment for emergency shelter beds is approximately $1.85 million.
• Positions:
  • County Manager Becker and Housing Stability Director Jaime Wilkins explained the urgency of the encampment response and that the county is acting as administrator for city funds. They emphasized that emergency shelter is only one part of the homeless response continuum and that long‑term strategy (prevention, permanent supportive housing, affordable housing) remains critical.
  • Commissioners Moran, Xiong, McGuire, and Miller raised questions about:
    • Capacity and types of beds (49 beds, with only 8 for women; need for gender‑neutral, couples, and pet‑friendly options).
    • Impact on the existing coordinated entry wait list (~1,400 people). Staff confirmed that encampment residents would not jump the queue but that case management and housing problem‑solving are being expanded.
    • Coordination with suburban Ramsey County cities and the state. Chair Ortega noted that the burden of homelessness falls heavily on Ramsey County, and that state partners must be involved.
  • Commissioner Moran expressed full support for the emergency response but stressed the need for fiscal sustainability and partnership with other entities.
• Next Steps: The new solicitation for emergency shelter providers will open within hours of the meeting. The county’s outreach team continues engagement at encampments. Heading Home Ramsey will discuss systemic issues at its upcoming meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Adult Detention Center Staffing (Item 6): Approved unanimously (7‑0) via Resolution B2026‑097. Authorized 32.0 FTEs (24 funded, 8 unfunded) and up to $1 million from General Contingency. Sheriff’s Office committed to monthly audit chair meetings, regular written reports, and a specific overtime reduction target of $900,000–$1 million in Q4 2026.
• Emergency Shelter JPA (Item 7): Approved unanimously (7‑0) via Resolution B2026‑098. Authorized receipt of $1,080,000 from Saint Paul, established a project number, and executed the agreement. Immediately thereafter, a new solicitation for emergency shelter beds will be released. The county will also issue a separate case management solicitation.
• Consent Items (Items 1‑5): All approved unanimously.
• Workshops Scheduled: Following the meeting, the board held two workshops: (1) Workforce Forward – Talent Attraction, Retention, and Promotion; (2) Community Health Improvement Plan and Community Health Assessment.