Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Supplemental Budget Presentation - August 25, 2026
Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Supplemental Budget Presentation - August 25, 2026
On August 25, 2026, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met to receive the presentation of the 2027 Supplemental Budget and Performance Measures from County Manager Ling Becker. The proposed budget totals $965.7 million with a property tax levy increase of 8.25%, driven by federal cost shifts under HR 1 ($6.2 million in new county costs) and adult detention center investments (0.75 percentage points of the levy increase). Board members discussed the fiscal challenges, strategies for managing costs, and the need for advocacy at state and federal levels.
Consent Calendar
- Agenda of August 25, 2026 – Approved.
- Minutes from August 18, 2026 – Approved.
Discussion Items
- 2027 Supplemental Budget and Performance Measures – County Manager Ling Becker presented a detailed overview of the budget, emphasizing that the 8.25% levy increase is a “firm ceiling” and reflects unprecedented federal cost shifts, including $6.2 million from HR 1 (SNAP and Medicaid changes) and investments in the adult detention center (32 additional correctional officers, partly offset by closing a pod via Project Bridge). The proposed budget supports approximately 4,475 FTEs. Becker outlined strategies to hold the levy below the projected 9.6% increase, including limiting hiring, reducing discretionary spending, implementing non-resident fees (starting with golf), and exploring furloughs. She also highlighted the need for long-term advocacy and growing the tax base through initiatives like Rice Creek Commons and downtown St. Paul investments.
- Board Member Comments – Commissioner McGuire expressed support for state/federal advocacy and noted the AMC strategic planning on mandated services. Commissioner Jevensing asked about the gap between 9.6% and 8.25%, and Becker detailed cost-saving measures, including contract reviews, vacancy management, and personnel cost control tools. Commissioner Miller emphasized the cumulative impact of decisions across departments and the need for a scalpel approach. Commissioner Moran highlighted the importance of regional partnerships, including the Joint Property Tax Advisory Committee (GIPTAC), and noted that the county’s strategic use of ARPA funds avoided a fiscal cliff. Commissioner Zhang inquired about increasing charges for services (e.g., from 18% to 20% of revenue) and tracking grant-related positions. Commissioner Singh praised the fiscal discipline, contrasted with Dakota County’s potential 20% increase, and asked for a public schedule of budget presentations. The Chair commended the county manager for her mastery of the budget and noted that despite challenges, Ramsey County is in relatively strong financial shape compared to metro peers.
Key Outcomes
- Proposed 2027 Property Tax Levy Increase – 8.25% (up from the 7.5% adopted in the biennial budget), representing a $35 million increase to $464 million.
- Budget Timeline – Budget presentations to departments begin August 27; first public hearing on September 10; max levy set on September 22; truth in taxation hearing on December 3; final budget approval on December 15.
- Directives – The county manager will continue to identify additional cost savings and efficiencies to achieve the 8.25% levy, including limiting hiring, reducing discretionary spending, and implementing non-resident fees. Departments will present performance measures linking budget investments to outcomes.
County Connections
- County Manager Becker highlighted the Mother’s First program community baby shower (460 attendees, 26 organizations), Rice Creek Commons open house (second virtual session on August 26), and the Environmental Center’s Fix-It Clinic on August 29.
Outside Board & Committee Reports
- Commissioner McMurtry – Reported on a meeting with Interface Action regarding the 1010 Bandanam Boulevard West site (former Best Western, now permanent shelter for families experiencing homelessness) and a homeless roundtable at Union Gospel Mission convened by Ecolab’s CEO, which included a $2 million investment from Ecolab. He noted the need for collective action and private sector partnership.
- Commissioner Zhang – Attended the North St. Paul student-built house (partnership with St. Paul College) and the Ma do Mawandoe Wug employee resource group gathering at Keller Regional Park. Also attended the AMC tribal leadership meeting, where four tribal leaders agreed to join SHAC.
- Commissioner Moran – Toured a seven-unit affordable housing project (30-50% AMI) with St. Paul Public Housing Agency, funded in part by $2 million in county contributions. Also met with the organization We Choose Us (affiliate of ISAIAH) to discuss election security and highlighted upcoming election office hours on September 3 and 10.
- Commissioner Singh – Attended the Rice Creek Commons open house and noted the enthusiasm for the county’s investment in the spine road. Also welcomed Matt Hill to the District 1 office.
- Commissioner Miller – Announced the State Fair starts Thursday, the Ramsey Washington Recycling and Energy Board meeting, and the groundbreaking for the Twin Lake Technology Center in Roseville (funded by $500,000 from the environmental response fund).
- Commissioner Zhang (continued) – Encouraged constituents to follow on Facebook/LinkedIn and subscribe to her weekly newsletter.
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to call to order the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Roll Call, please. Jeffin Sain. Here. Maguire. Here. McMurtry. Here. Miller. Here. Moran. Here. Zhang. Here. And Ortega. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Mr. Chair. 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 hope of a better life. And some have lived on this land since time immemorial. Truth and acknowledgment are critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. We pay respects to their elders, past and present. Okay. Thanks. All right. Good morning, Mr. Chair, members of the board. My name is Ling Becker, and I have the honor to serve as the Ramsey County Manager. I'm going to present the 2027 supplemental budget today for your consideration. As we begin this year's budget conversation, I want to start by acknowledging what we have been through as an organization, and more importantly, thank the people who have carried it carried us through it. Our dedicated employees have remained deeply committed to the work and to the people we serve. Even as we have navigated uncertainty, change, and circumstances well beyond our control. Through it all, federal actions, federal shutdown, Operation Metro Surge, and recent encampment responses, our focus as a county has remained steady, maintaining continuity of services, being responsible stewards of public resources, and showing up for our community when it matters the most. Much of the work of county government happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt every day. It is felt when a family can access critical services that they need. It is felt when our employees answer nearly a million 911 calls a year. When we plow and ensure the safety of nearly 300 miles of county roads, when we serve nearly 10,000 residents a month at our service centers across the county, connecting people to essential services during some of life's most difficult moments. Ramsey County employees show up every day with dedication, creativity, and a deep commitment to serving residents, businesses, and our partners. That context matters in this budget. The decisions before us are not simply about numbers on a page. They are about sustaining services people depend on, supporting the workforce that delivers them, and making thoughtful choices in an environment where many of the pressures that we face are out of our control. We have been asked to adapt before, and we have. As we look ahead, our responsibility is to build on that resilience, protecting what matters most, being clear-eyed about the challenges before us, and positioning the county to continue to serve our community with strength and stability. Ramsey County has more than 20 years of biannual budget experience. That experience gives us an established framework for looking beyond a single year and making thoughtful, longer-term decisions about our resources and the services our community depends on. We are navigating structural cost shifts and significant state and federal funding uncertainty, rising costs for mandated services, and growing pressure on property taxpayers. These are not one-year challenges, and they cannot be solved with one-year fixes. A biennial approach focuses us on looking beyond the simple balancing the next budget.
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