County Board approves 2020 - 2021 budget

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners today unanimously approved a biennial budget of $741,707,421 in 2020 and $763,123,318 in 2021. This represents an increase of $3,588,812 (0.5 percent) over 2019 and an increase of $21,415,897 (2.9 percent) from 2020 to 2021.

"This budget supports our strategic priorities and provides for transformative change in how we deliver services," said County Board Chair Jim McDonough. "Informed by community engagement, we're investing in a Residents First approach to improve our policies, processes, employee development, technology and facilities."

On Aug. 6, 2019, County Manager Ryan O'Connor proposed a 2020 budget of $741,749,636. The approved budget is essentially unchanged from what was proposed.

"The budget is a moral document that reflects our commitment to this community," said Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Budget Committee Chair. "We have spent the last months deliberating how to best balance the cost of service delivery with communities’ ability to pay. I believe we have found the right compromise for 2020 with a 0.5 percent increase to our overall budget. We're very thankful for all of the valuable feedback our residents and other stakeholders have shared with us throughout this process." 

Commissioners set the 2020 maximum property tax levy on Sept. 17, 2019 at $333,577,720. The 4.75 percent increase from 2019 will fund about 44 percent of the 2020 budget.

Public hearings on the proposed property tax levy and budget were held on Aug. 29 and Nov. 25, 2019.

Video of today's board meeting and documentation, and links to all materials that were a part of budget deliberation process that began on Aug. 6 are available through ramseycounty.us/budget.

Contact: 
John Siqveland, Public Communications Director, 651-746-9250.

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