County Board approves 2022 - 2023 budget

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners today unanimously approved a biennial budget of $774,095,817 in 2022 and $783,166,239 in 2023. This represents an increase of $25,257,019 (3.4 percent) over 2021 and an increase of $9,070,422 (1.2 percent) from 2022 to 2023.

"Faced with the realities of the persisting COVID-19 pandemic, this budget sustains and scales the transformative investments we committed to beginning in 2020-2021," said County Board Chair Toni Carter. "We continue prioritizing a Residents First approach to improve service delivery with a focus on systems reform, racial equity and community engagement. I extend our thanks to all residents, businesses and other stakeholders who shared their valuable feedback with us throughout this process." 

On Aug. 24, 2021, County Manager Ryan O'Connor proposed a 2022 budget of $772,845,689. The $1.25 million addition to the 2022 budget since that time represents additional state grant funding received during the 2021 legislative session.

"As we continue our response to COVID-19, we’re adjusting our budget carefully by degrees," said Budget Committee Chair Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt. "In 2021, we reduced a proposed 4.5% property tax levy increase to zero in response to the pandemic. Today the board passed a 1.55% property tax increase as we continue focusing on providing services in support of our communities in these very challenging times." 

Commissioners set the 2022 maximum property tax levy on Sept. 21, 2021 at $338,743,612. Property taxes fund about 43 percent of the budget. The 1.55% property tax levy increase compares with a statewide average increase of 3.7% in 2022 - one of the ten lowest among Minnesota’s 87 counties.

Commissioners also approved $11.1 million for the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Prior to passage today, Ramsey County had been the only metro-area county in Minnesota not to utilize this authority. The $11.1 million will be used to fund affordable housing efforts and the priorities of the county’s Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan (ramseycounty.us/EconomicInclusion).

Public hearings on the proposed property tax levy and budget were held on Sept. 14 and Nov. 29, 2021. A number of virtual budget Community Conversations were also held early in the summer. Video of today's board meeting and documentation, and links to all 2022-2023 budget materials are available through ramseycounty.us/budget.

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

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