Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ramsey County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
11 issues in taxes budget with high priority
Capital Host program for property tax relief
Minnesota offers programs like the Homestead Credit Refund to help homeowners with property tax burden, which matters because property taxes hit lower-income households hardest relative to income.
HR 1 staffing and jail overtime reduction progress
The county filled all 28 new eligibility specialists to handle new federal Medicaid redetermination rules (a $1 million annual cost heading into the 2027 budget), and hired 36 correctional officers to cut jail overtime — on track for $600,000 in savings this year and $2.6 million in 2027.
3M campus property tax litigation
Behind closed doors, the board approved outside valuation experts and funding for the 3M property tax fight — a case that could affect county tax revenue.
Rising state hospital costs charged to Ramsey County
When a county resident is ready to leave a state hospital but no community placement exists, the county pays the full hospital cost — about $2,400 a day. The county added roughly $2.5 million to its Social Services budget for AMRTC-related costs, which pressures property taxes.
County Program Aid (CPA) formula review
The CPA formula that distributes state aid to counties was written a decade ago and no longer fits Ramsey County's needs — high social services costs and a limited tax base with big tax-exempt state/federal properties. AMC is searching for a path to formula reform but hasn't found consensus among 87 counties.
State human services technology modernization
Counties scored a $90 million human services IT modernization bill, with $10 million earmarked for county IT systems. A new advisory council — with county representation — must approve any major changes.
HR 1 implementation costs and staffing
The federal HR 1 law forces counties to do more SNAP and Medicaid eligibility work without new money. The county is hiring 17.5 staff now, but if the state's payment error rate doesn't drop, Ramsey County could owe an estimated $9.2 million by 2028.
Capital grant agreement with Met Council
The funding mechanism to transfer county sales tax and railroad levy dollars to the Met Council for its design scope. Comes to the board for a vote on August 18.
Behavioral health workforce shortage
Group home staff earn wages in the high teens per hour for dangerous work, and providers face rising insurance costs. Commissioners warned that without action, more providers will exit the field over the next five to ten years.
Long-term services and supports cost shift
The state may shift long-term care service costs onto counties. Counties found $122 million in savings, but the state pocketed it for the general fund instead of crediting counties. The fight continues into 2027.
2026 Legislative Session Outcomes for Counties
The legislature wrapped up with mixed news for the county: no funding for the county's top requests, but $13 million for West 7th sewer repair, $40 million for Roy Wilkins Auditorium, and $10 million for the Grand Casino Ice Arena in St. Paul. Counties also got new state money to help cover SNAP administrative costs, human services IT modernization, and family homelessness prevention.