Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting – September 8, 2026

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on September 8, 2026, in Council Chambers (Courthouse Room 300) at 15 West Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN. The agenda listed the meeting at 9:00 a.m. and the minutes record a call to order at 9:01 a.m. All seven commissioners were present: Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Xiong, and Chair Ortega. Also present were County Manager Ling Becker and Assistant County Attorney Stacey D'Andrea. The meeting adjourned at 9:22 a.m.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval (2026-342): Approved the agenda of September 8, 2026.
• Minutes Approval (2026-343): Approved the minutes from September 1, 2026.

Administrative Items

• Joint Powers Agreement with the Metro East Consortium for Adult Basic Education Services (2026-329): Commissioner McGuire moved the item. The Board approved, by roll call vote, the joint powers agreement with the Metro East Consortium (2520 East 12th Avenue, North St. Paul, MN 55109) for adult basic education services through June 30, 2027, and authorized the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the agreement.

County Manager Update – Ling Becker

• 2027 Supplemental Budget Process: Becker reminded the Board that 2027 supplemental budget presentations continue this week; the final service team (Safety and Justice) presentation, chaired by Budget Chair Commissioner Moran, is scheduled for Thursday. The first public hearing on the 2027 supplemental budget will take place that same day at 5:00 p.m. at St. Paul City Hall and the Ramsey County Courthouse. Residents can sign up to comment by calling the Chief Clerk at 651-266-9200, emailing chiefclerk@ramseycounty.us, or signing up at the meeting. Free Victory Ramp parking vouchers are available to attendees. At the Tuesday, September 22 board meeting, the Board will set its 2027 maximum property tax levies; a full schedule is posted on the county's budget and finance webpage.
• Self-Care Awareness Month: Becker noted that September is self-care awareness month and outlined three pillars of self-care: physical care; mental and emotional well-being; and social and spiritual connections.
• Minnesota Housing Investment in Encampment Response: Becker reported that Minnesota Housing made an additional investment of nearly $800,000 into Ramsey County after a recent regional meeting, working through the Interagency Council of Partners at the Department of Human Services. The funding increases the state's contract with Radius Health and supports three additional staff positions: a registered nurse, an outreach worker, and an administrative HIMIS data-system support role. Of the nearly $800,000, $316,000 is designated for direct assistance to people experiencing homelessness, including application fees, security deposits, and transportation. The funds are available through the end of June 2028. Becker expressed thanks to Minnesota Housing for its support at this immediate time and said the county looks forward to continuing conversations at the Legislature. Wilkins (county staff) is working closely with Radius Health to fill gaps in the county's ongoing work.

Outside Board and Committee Reports

• Commissioner Tara (Jebens-Singh): Highlighted the Lake Owasa residents family picnic on Saturday, September 12, from 12 to 3 p.m., describing it as a joyful community event involving residents, families, and volunteers. She promoted the North Oaks Guild rummage sale at Shoreview Arena on Saturday and Sunday, noting proceeds support Children's Hospital and the event helps keep clothing out of landfills. She also reminded the Board of the Self-Advocacy Day event on Wednesday, September 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the State Capitol, sponsored by ACT, which brings together self-advocates, families, organizations, artists, policymakers, and community members; she encouraged attendance but noted she will be at the AMC Policy Conference in Bemidji.
• Health Partners Como Clinic and Corridor Updates: A commissioner reported meeting with Health Partners Como Clinic staff to discuss the expansion and new facility to be built in Como Park, which will include a women's health center, CT/MRI services, TRIA orthopedics, and TRIA urgent care, calling it an additional asset to the community. The same commissioner reported that the Hamlin Midway Coalition, Midway Chamber of Commerce, and Union Park District Council, along with other partners, are forming a Snelling University Alliance to develop the Snelling-University corridor, similar to what the Rice & Larpenteur (Rice & Larpers) Alliance has done. The commissioner also met with residents to discuss the county's supplemental budget and the redevelopment of the University of Minnesota golf course, clarifying the distinct roles of the city of Falcon Heights and the county in that process.
• M Health Fairview Clinic Event: The commissioner promoted the rescheduled community celebration and ribbon cutting at the M Health Fairview Clinic off Rice Street on Thursday from 4:30 to 6 p.m., which will honor the clinic's Magaugh Prize (a national award from the American Hospital Association) and include a ribbon cutting for its new community garden. The commissioner noted the fair's Eco Building exhibits and expressed appreciation for the sustainability displays at the State Fair.

Board Chair Update – Chair Ortega

• Community and Partner Engagement: Chair Ortega reported holding in-district hours the following Monday and spending time with residents, young people, community partners, and county staff across housing, public health, economic opportunity, and community safety, including touring innovative housing models, celebrating youth leadership, and reviewing performance measures. She stated those connections reinforced the values of dignity, partnership, and community-led solutions.
• Bronze Line Tour: The Chair hosted commissioners, county council members, and Met Council members on a site tour along the Bronze Line project route, which allowed participants to understand the constraints of the current right-of-way.
• State Fair and Media: On Saturday, Chair Ortega and Washington County Commissioner Carla Bingham spoke on WCCO radio with Shaletta Brundage about the recycling and energy business recycling program; the Chair noted the State Fair Eco Building showcased sustainability efforts by the MPCA and transit organizations.
• Upcoming Events: The Chair highlighted the City of Roseville Climate Equity Action Plan launch party on Thursday, 6–8 p.m. at the Showtime; the Thursday evening retirement event for Senator Sandy Papis, thanking her for her service to Ramsey County residents; and the Friday morning Ramsey County League of Local Governments meeting on flock cameras, which will feature Roseville's police chief, St. Paul's deputy chief, and St. Paul Council President Rebecca Naker, and will address balancing law enforcement safety benefits with privacy concerns. She noted the AMC Fall Policy Conference in Bemidji and encouraged participation in the league's Zoom call.
• Audit Committee: Following the board meeting, an audit committee meeting was held, chaired by Commissioner Jebens-Singh and including Commissioners McGuire and Ortega.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the September 8, 2026 agenda and the September 1, 2026 minutes (consent calendar).
• Approved the Joint Powers Agreement with the Metro East Consortium for Adult Basic Education Services through June 30, 2027, by roll call vote (Item 2026-329).
• Noted the 2027 supplemental budget public hearing on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. and the Board's September 22 setting of the 2027 maximum property tax levies.
• Acknowledged a nearly $800,000 Minnesota Housing investment in Ramsey County's encampment response, including $316,000 in direct assistance to people experiencing homelessness, available through June 2028.
• Noted the discrepancy between the agenda's 9:00 a.m. meeting time and the minutes' recorded 9:01 a.m. call to order.