Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting - September 22, 2026

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:01 a.m. on September 22, 2026, in Room 300 of the Courthouse in Saint Paul. All commissioners were present, with Commissioner Xiong arriving at 9:07 a.m. The meeting included approval of consent items, discussion and approval of the maximum property tax levy for 2027, and informational reports from commissioners on a wide range of county activities and external engagements.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda (moved by Jebens-Singh, seconded by McGuire; passed 6-0 with Xiong absent).
• Approval of Minutes from September 8, 2026 (moved by McGuire, seconded by Miller; passed 6-0 with Xiong absent).
• Grant Award – DNR 2025 ReLeaf Grants: Accepted $320,731 for the period through June 30, 2027 (Resolution B2026-121).
• Grant Agreement – DNR Diversifying Nature Education Access: Accepted $438,000 for culturally relevant environmental education from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2030 (Resolution B2026-122).
• Personnel Complement Increase – Public Works Department: Approved an increase of 7.5 Full-Time Equivalents and a $1,200,000 revenue adjustment from the Local Option Sales Tax Fund for the 2027 Operating Budget (Resolution B2026-123).
• Grant Agreement – MN DPS Crisis Response Grants: Accepted $300,000 for crisis response services through June 30, 2028 (Resolution B2026-124). These items were moved en bloc by Commissioner McMurtrey, seconded by Commissioner Miller, and passed unanimously (6-0; Xiong absent).

Discussion Items

Certification of the Maximum Tax Levy for Proposed 2027 Property Tax Notices (Policy Item 7)

County Manager Ling Becker presented the request to approve a maximum levy of $463,988,946 (General County $445,943,527; Library $18,045,419), representing an 8.25% increase over the 2026 levy. She noted that the actual needed increase was closer to 9.6%, but the recommended ceiling reflects an effort to balance service obligations with taxpayer burdens. Key drivers of the increase include:

• Federal HR 1 changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility and work requirements, causing cost shifts to the county.
• Additional staffing at the Adult Detention Center to ensure a safe and compliant facility.

Becker emphasized that setting the maximum levy creates a ceiling; the final levy adopted in December can be lower. She outlined steps the county will take to manage the 2027 budget, including managing hiring and vacancies, reducing outside consultant use, using non-levy funding, lowering technology costs, and managing personnel costs (possible furloughs, requiring a new benefits policy). She also announced a public hearing on December 3, 2026 at 6 p.m. in the courthouse.

Commissioners expressed support for the levy certification while acknowledging community concerns. Commissioner Moran noted the widespread nature of budget pressures across all 87 Minnesota counties and stressed the need for legislative advocacy for property tax relief. Commissioner Miller highlighted the fiscal discipline used to mitigate increases, including the elimination of 43 positions, and encouraged public engagement through the budget process.

The motion to approve the maximum tax levy was made by Commissioner Moran, seconded by Commissioner Miller. It passed unanimously (7-0; Commissioner Xiong arrived and voted aye). (Resolution B2026-125)

County Connections

County Manager Becker reported on an employment resource fair hosted by Ramsey County Workforce Solutions and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development at the Roseville Library earlier in September. The event, which attracted over 150 community members, was part of the CareerForce Corner series celebrating Workforce Development Month.

Outside Board and Committee Reports

Commissioners provided updates on their participation in various meetings, conferences, and community events:

• Commissioner McMurtrey reported on the AMC Fall Policy Conference, tours of Avivo Village shelter and YMCA Child Care, the Impact conference in Toronto, and a meeting on encampments with community partners. He also noted chairing the first GIP Tech (Joint Property Tax Advisory Committee) meeting with the City of St. Paul and St. Paul Public Schools.
• Commissioner Jebens-Singh reviewed the Audit Committee’s progress on adult detention center operations and the 2025 financial audit. She highlighted the Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative’s increased attendance at weekly basic needs meetings (70-90 staff) and outlined AMC Health and Human Services legislative priorities, including long-term social services costs, SNAP/Medicaid impacts, mental health systems, infectious disease management, and child protective services.
• Commissioner McGuire discussed the Legislative Team’s preparation for the 2027 session, shared updates from League of Local Government meetings on chloride reduction and flock cameras, and reported on the Impact conference keynote on livable cities. She also noted AMC Public Safety Committee priorities: emergency communications, homeland security, and mental health in jails.
• Commissioner Xiong described conversations at AMC on data centers (calling for a work group on coordinated negotiations) and a panel on property tax impacts. She also attended the Heats On event fixing heaters for 50 households, toured the pipefitters training facility, and presented the budget to the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council.
• Commissioner Miller reported on budget presentations to district councils, a meeting with the Rondo Land Trust CEO regarding the Sears site, a meeting with St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter on homelessness, and the Impact conference tour. She announced a new work group with property owners for Heading Home Ramsey County to address the 881-day waiting list for housing.

The meeting adjourned at 10:06 a.m., with subsequent meetings scheduled: Regional Railroad Authority (10:00 a.m.), Housing and Redevelopment Authority (10:15 a.m.), and a Board Workshop on Understanding the Homelessness Response (10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.).