Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ramsey County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
8 issues in environment
Creation of Environmental Services Department
The county is moving environmental health out of Public Health into its own department under Economic Growth and Community Investment starting January 1, 2027. Staff say day-to-day work won't change, and it should raise the visibility of climate, recycling and energy work. The public can weigh in at a November 3 hearing.
Urban heat island sensor network
The county accepted $747,450 in federal funding to build an urban heat island sensor network aimed at safety and heat mitigation over two years.
Chloride and water quality
Road salt is raising chloride levels in county lakes, hurting aquatic life. Public Works is buying $600,000 of salt this winter and working with watershed districts and cities to cut usage — a rare case where saving money and protecting water align.
Environmental center hazardous waste collection
Food scrap collection is rolling out to northern Ramsey County communities now, with Roseville and Falcon Heights expected in December and Saint Paul in early 2027. 347 tons of food waste have already been diverted from landfills, and participation is around 13%.
County building energy use and renewables
Energy use rose 8% in 2025, but that beat the 18% the weather alone would have predicted; consumption is down 41% since 2008, saving about $2 million a year at today's rates. On-site renewables are at just 0.21%.
MPCA Draft Resource Management Report (90% diversion by 2045)
The state's draft report proposes Minnesota reach 90% waste diversion by 2045 while treating waste-to-energy the same as landfilling. County leaders say that could strand decades of local investment, create an unfunded mandate, and leave 400,000+ tons of trash with nowhere to go. Comments are due by August 10.
Countywide organics recycling rollout
Food scrap collection is rolling out to northern Ramsey County communities now, with Roseville and Falcon Heights expected in December and Saint Paul in early 2027. 347 tons of food waste have already been diverted from landfills, and participation is around 13%.
Environmental Response Fund extension
The mortgage registry deed tax that funds the Environmental Response Fund was extended — meaning millions of dollars continue to flow to redevelopment projects in the county.