Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting - August 4, 2026

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:05 a.m. on August 4, 2026, and adjourned at 10:55 a.m. All members were present except Commissioner McMurtrey (excused). The board approved several routine items, discussed major housing and homelessness initiatives, and passed a resolution addressing encampment closures in Saint Paul. Six commissioners voted in favor on all items.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda and Minutes: The agenda for August 4, 2026, and the minutes from July 28, 2026, were approved by voice vote.
• Proclamation: Child Support Awareness Month: The board declared August 2026 as Child Support Awareness Month. Staff highlighted that Ramsey County Child Support serves nearly 20,000 children, collects over $38 million annually, and that 40% of custodial parents served are survivors of domestic violence.
• Item 4: Teams Rooms Technology Project: The board accepted a project budget and financing plan up to $500,000 for Teams Rooms technology, authorized the County Manager to account for the project in Property Management, and transfer up to $500,000 from the Capital Projects Fund Holding Project. (Resolution B2026-099)
• Item 9: Social Services Fee Changes: The board approved proposed changes to Mental Health services rates and added a fee schedule for Guardianship services. (Resolution B2026-100)

Discussion Items

Item 5: Amendment to Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant Master Plan Commissioner McGuire moved approval, noting the amendment is a small clarification of an ambiguous height specification. Commissioner Jebens-Singh added that significant progress continues at the site. The motion passed unanimously. (Resolution B2026-101)

Items 6 & 7: Obligation of 2026 State and Local Affordable Housing Aid Max Holdhusen, Deputy Director of Community and Economic Development, presented the combined items. The board obligated $436,475 in State Affordable Housing Aid (SAHA) and $8,194,000 in Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA). Of 45 applications received totaling over $72 million in requests, the board recommended $16 million across four funding actions. The projects will impact 897 multifamily units (546 renovation/preservation, 115 in vacant buildings) and 22 owner-occupied units, with multifamily units targeting 30% AMI. Commissioner Moran questioned funding percentages and timelines; Holdhusen explained that partial awards are common when multiple funders are involved, and projects vary from ready-to-close to still seeking state funding. Commissioner Xiong thanked staff for prioritizing deeply affordable housing. The motion passed unanimously. (Resolutions B2026-102 and B2026-103)

Item 8: Amendment to Agreement with Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) Commissioner Xiong moved approval. Renee Theese, FHPAP coordinator, explained that the $5,281,093 amendment to the existing grant (through Sept. 30, 2027) primarily funds prevention projects and also supports coordinated entry and street outreach. Commissioner Moran asked about point-of-entry; staff described a "no-wrong-door" approach but noted ongoing efforts to centralize access. Moran also shared a story of a pregnant woman with a child unable to find immediate help, questioning the county's ability to provide hotel stays. Director Wilkins responded that hotels are expensive and not best practice for wraparound services, but emergency funds exist. Moran urged creative partnerships with hotels and landlords. The motion passed unanimously. (Resolution B2026-104)

Item 10: Ramsey County’s Response to Encampment Closures in the City of Saint Paul County Manager Ling Becker provided an extensive update. On July 8, 2026, the City of Saint Paul announced rolling encampment closures, starting with Pig's Eye Park on August 5. In response, Ramsey County launched a coordinated "One Ramsey County" effort on July 14, bringing together multiple departments. Staff have made over 5,000 individual contacts, involving more than 90 employees. The county invested $1.1 million in emergency shelter and case management, spent $33,000 on outreach supplies, and repurposed an estimated $150,000 in staff time. Becker noted the county is operating a temporary resource site at 555 Cedar Street through at least August 20. Becker also announced that since December 2021, the county has invested approximately $106 million in affordable housing, touching over 7,000 units. Commissioner McGuire asked about preventing displacement to suburban areas; Becker noted that enforcement is the city's role and that the county coordinates regionally. Commissioner Zhang urged a 60-day pause and expressed disappointment in the city's decision. Commissioner Moran called for data-driven outcomes and tracking of investments, stating the county has been "thrown into reaction." The motion to approve the resolution affirming county values, directing continued coordination, and advancing housing strategies passed unanimously. (Resolution B2026-105)

Key Outcomes

• All items (resolutions B2026-099 through B2026-105) passed unanimously with 6 ayes (Commissioner McMurtrey excused).
• The board directed the County Manager to continue executing strategies in alignment with the Heading Home Ramsey Strategic Plan and the Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan, including expanding housing access, increasing supportive housing capacity, and strengthening homelessness prevention.
• The board requested future reports on the impact of encampment closure investments and outcomes for individuals served.
• A board workshop on the Heading Home Ramsey Strategic Plan was scheduled for a future date.
• The next regular board meeting is August 11, 2026.