Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting - August 18, 2026

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met on August 18, 2026 at 9:00 AM in the Council Chambers at 15 West Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul. After the call to order, pledge of allegiance, and a land acknowledgement led by Commissioner Moran, the board approved the agenda and the minutes of August 11, 2026 as presented. The board then moved to administrative items.

Administrative Items

• Item 3: Capital Grant Agreement for METRO Bronze Line Bus Rapid Transit Project – The board approved a capital grant agreement with the Metropolitan Council for the engineering phase of the METRO Bronze Line BRT project. The agreement authorizes the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute it and allows the County Manager to enter into further agreements within funding limits. The motion passed unanimously without discussion.

• Item 4: Personnel Complement Increase for House Resolution 1 Implementation – The board approved an increase of 16.5 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Eligibility Specialists and 1 FTE Eligibility Specialist Supervisor (total 17.5 FTEs) in the Financial Assistance Services (FAS) department. The board also authorized a transfer of up to $363,263 from the General Contingency Account to the 2026 operating budget. County Manager Ryan Becker explained that HR1 (federal legislation) creates additional workload for SNAP and Medicaid eligibility determinations, including expanded renewals and manual notices. Director Ali added that hiring would begin with an October 2026 cohort to be ready by spring 2027 after significant training. The annual ongoing cost is just over $1 million, representing a 0.25% property tax levy impact. Commissioners discussed the risk of a federal payment error rate penalty – if Minnesota’s statewide error rate exceeds 6%, Ramsey County could face a $9.2 million benefit cost shift starting in 2028. Commissioners expressed concern over unfunded mandates and noted ongoing advocacy with federal and state partners. The motion passed unanimously (all commissioners voting "aye").

County Connections

• Commissioner McGuire announced a new Employee Assistance Program (EAP) partner, New Vantage (a division of Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota), offering support for behavioral health, parenting, legal, and financial needs. He also highlighted a panel on "Leadership during a Ransomware Event" held earlier in August, featuring the county’s CIO, the state’s CISO, and the Minnesota National Guard’s Director of Cyber Coordination, emphasizing strengthened cybersecurity partnerships.

Outside Board & Committee Reports

• Commissioner Singh thanked the elections team, reported on the Ramsey County League of Local Governments’ chloride reduction collective action team, the Roseville Volunteer Fair, the Rice‑Larpenteur Alliance summer block party, the upcoming Rice Creek Boulevard Road project open house (August 19), and the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) strategic planning retreat he and Commissioner McMurtry would attend.

• Commissioner Zhang focused on elections: he certified the primary election results (highest non‑presidential primary turnout in Minnesota and Ramsey County), attended a League of Women Voters event on voting history, and encouraged residents to follow official county election updates. He also echoed thanks to the elections team and community organizations.

• Commissioner McMurtry reported meeting with the Minnesota State Fair CEO to discuss neighborhood concerns about noise, pollution, and parking; attending the Rice‑Larpenteur Alliance summer block party; and promoting the 11th annual Central Honors Philando event on August 23 at Central High School, marking 10 years since Philando Castile’s death.

• Commissioner Miller reported on the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Area 4 Budget Committee meeting, which approved a preliminary 2027 budget with a $50 increase in annual dues (to $500); the grand reopening of the Ramsey County Public Health Center in Maplewood; and a tour of the IUOE Local 49 training center in Hinckley with Commissioner Zhang. She announced her in‑district office hours for August 19 (Maplewood) and August 20 (White Bear Lake, North St. Paul).

• Commissioner Moran delivered extended remarks on homelessness, urging the board to address the full continuum of care – including families and children on waiting lists – rather than focusing solely on encampment closures. He emphasized that resources are finite and called for strategic, data‑driven investments aligned with the Heading Home Ramsey plan. He questioned arbitrary limits such as the 120‑day shelter stay and called for collaboration with city, business, and philanthropic partners. County Manager Becker confirmed a Heading Home Ramsey board workshop is scheduled for September 22, 2026, and additional information on family homelessness would be prepared.

Chair Update

Chair Singh noted that the board would proceed to the Regional Railroad Authority meeting followed by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting, and then two board workshops: "Preparation for Elections 2.0" at 10:30 AM and "Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act: From Legislation to Practice" at 1:30 PM.

Key Outcomes

• The agenda and minutes of August 11, 2026 were approved as presented.
• Administrative Item 3 (METRO Bronze Line BRT grant agreement) was approved unanimously.
• Administrative Item 4 (HR1 personnel complement increase and contingency fund transfer) was approved unanimously.
• All outside board and committee reports were received and noted.
• The meeting adjourned to subsequent scheduled meetings.