 Sending holiday greetings your way! I hope you are able to stay safe and warm during the dangerously cold temperatures this week. Ramsey County's winter warming spaces are open nightly from 9:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. through February 28, 2023. If you are in need of, or would like to refer someone to a warm space to sleep at night, call 651-266-1050 or email ColdWeatherReferrals@ramseycounty.us. For more information, click here.
As the year 2022 comes to a close, I've been taking some time to reflect on another year at Ramsey County. From youth justice transformation to moving forward on our Residents First strategic priority, I'm proud of the work being done across the county to transform systems together.
This year, our County Manager, Board Chair, and several Commissioners shared more information about our strategic priorities and how the County has worked on them this year in a year-end video!
 I'm proud that we continue to approach our work by using data to see the fullest picture of challenges that residents face across the county. If you haven't had the chance, I would suggest checking out Open Ramsey County, our wonderful open data portal, to dig into the numbers. This type of data helps us assess where we can better serve our communities and plan ways to improve.
I am also excited to be serving as the President of the Association of Minnesota Counties for this coming year. It will be a priority to maximize this opportunity for the benefit of all of us here in the County. In this role, I plan to highlight the ways we can work together as counties across our differences to serve our residents to the very best of our ability. Please stay tuned to this newsletter for updates on this work throughout 2023.
I look forward to the coming year and all that it will bring! I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving you, District 2, and all Ramsey County residents. I wish you a joyous holiday season. holiday. Please stay safe and warm!
Ramsey County is holding both virtual and in-person meetings. Our board meetings are taking place in the County Board offices in the Ramsey County Courthouse. My office continues to serve constituent needs via phone (651-266-8359) or email (caitlyn.duin@ramseycounty.us).
Sincerely,
Mary Jo
Board Acknowledgements/Declarations
- December 13 - Perry Family Farms Day in honor of the Perry Family being declared Ramsey County Farm Family of the Year
- December 20 - Commissioner Toni Carter Public Service Recognition Day to commemorate her years of service as she retires from county government.
- December 20 - Commissioner Jim McDonough Day to commemorate his years of service as he retires from county government.
County Board Workshops
Most weeks, our County Board meets to discuss specific policy issues and receive updates from County Departments and Service Teams in our Board Workshops.
Workshops and discussions are held on Tuesdays and are open to the public. These take place at the Saint Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Courthouse in Suite 220 (2nd floor). You can find the schedule for all upcoming board meetings, workshops, and discussions sessions here.
Recent workshops include:
- Food Security Assessment Findings
- Jail Population and Overcrowding
- Strategic Team Committee of the Whole: Update on Foundational Excellence, Enterprise Risk Management and Procurement Modernization
You can access video recordings of the meetings as well as the materials shared by clicking here.
You can watch upcoming workshops live by clicking here.
County Board approves 2023 supplemental budget
 The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a supplemental budget of $785,707,121 for 2023. Ramsey County uses a two-year budgeting process. 2023 is the supplemental year of the 2022-2023 budget.
On Sept. 6, 2022, County Manager Ryan O'Connor proposed a 2023 supplemental budget of $785 million to commissioners. No change was proposed to the 4.54% property tax levy increase that commissioners approved in December 2021 as part of the 2022-23 biennial budget.
Public hearings on the proposed property tax levy and budget were held on Sept. 13 and Nov. 28, 2022. Video and other materials from the hearings are available via ramseycounty.us/Budget.
County Board approves $6.75 million for affordable housing development
 The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners today approved an investment of $6.75 million for three affordable housing development projects across three cities. The decision concluded the third phase of the county's Deeply Affordable Housing Infrastructure Initiative, which will add more than 300 new or preserved affordable rental units to the current housing supply.
Projects selected from the Affordable Housing Development Readiness Solicitation were awarded American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and are located in Saint Paul, Mounds View and Little Canada. These projects have dedicated at least 10 percent of their rental units as deeply affordable, at the 30% Area Medium Income (AMI) level, totaling 71 rental units across all three projects.
Learn more here about Ramsey County's commitment to affordable housing.
County Board makes historic investment commitment to the Park at RiversEdge
 This Tuesday, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners voted to contribute $26 million in funding to the Park at RiversEdge. This commitment is the first public investment in the park.
The Park at RiversEdge presents an incredible opportunity to reconnect our communities to the river. It will be built as part of a transformative mixed-use development along the Mississippi River. The nine-acre park would be constructed over Shepard Road and the adjacent railway, extending from downtown Saint Paul directly to the river, doubling the usable area of the site. Altogether, the projected $800 million development represents a once-in-a-century opportunity to transform an urban tract of land into a destination that would better connect residents, workers and visitors with the Mississippi River.
In addition to this week's vote, the County Board also approved a new preliminary development agreement with AECOM.
In the 2023 legislative session, Ramsey County plans to seek a state investment of $26 million in the upcoming state legislative session. The funds will be dedicated to the acquisition, design, furnishing and construction of the Park at RiversEdge. The state funding would complete the public investment required to build the park and spark additional private development such as street-level retail, entertainment, hospitality, office and residential space.
For more information about RiversEdge, click here.
Battle Creek Recreation Center is open for skiing!
Staying active during the winter months can be a little more challenging at times. Luckily, Ramsey County Parks and Recreation have many options for you to access!
Check out our new skiing area with snowmaking machines at Battle Creek Recreation Center. This will extend the season and increase our residents' access to ski trails. For more information, click here.
You can also skate during free skate and hockey times. For more information, click here.
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Warming Spaces in Ramsey County
This week we are seeing dangerously cold temperatures.
Winter warming spaces are open nightly from 9:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. through February 28, 2023.
If you are in need of, or would like to refer someone to a warm space to sleep at night, call 651-266-1050 or email ColdWeatherReferrals@ramseycounty.us. For more information, click here.
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Does your District Change in 2023?
With redistricting, the border of the districts that make up Ramsey County are changing in some locations. This means that the Commissioner who represented you in 2022 may not be the same in 2023.
Click here to see the new map!
To subscribe to another Commissioner's newsletter, click here.
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Apply to Join the Ramsey County Workforce Innovation Board (WIB)
The Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County (WIB) is founded on the belief that everyone who wants to work deserves the dignity of having career choices. We are the catalyst in Ramsey County that helps meet the needs of employers and job seekers.
Working in partnership with the City of Saint Paul, the WIB harnesses the collaborative power of business, government, economic development, education and the community to develop strategic solutions for workforce challenges in Ramsey County. The WIB is one of 16 legislatively mandated Workforce Boards in Minnesota.
For more information on how to apply, click here. For more information about vacancies on the WIB, click here.
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District Connections
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This month, attended Roseville Area Rotary Leadership Book Club and discussed this notable book. |
Upcoming Events in the District:
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