| Greetings District 1,
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the District One Community Picnic! It was a true pleasure to connect with residents from across the district and to be joined by so many dedicated city and county staff, local organizations, law enforcement, and fellow elected officials. Your presence helped turn the event into a vibrant reflection of the community we’re building together.
From neighborhood concerns and local services to long-term visions for our district, it became clear just how important events like this are. The space provided a platform for individuals to ask tough questions, and bring forward ideas, perspectives and stories that might not have surfaced in more formal settings. It’s a reminder that open, accessible spaces for community connection are essential to good governance.
I look forward to keeping the conversation going and to creating more opportunities for us to listen, learn, and grow—together.
Sincerely,
 Tara Jebens-Singh
Commissioner, Ramsey County District 1
- Ramsey County Response to State and Federal Funding Changes
- Ramsey County 26-27 Budget Process
- Rice Creek Commons
- Current Public Works Projects
- Current Park Projects
- Business Development
- Ramsey County Assistance & Support
- Family & Community Resources in Ramsey County
Watch the livestream
 
Meetings of the Ramsey County Board, Regional Railroad Authority, Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Committees are held on Tuesdays in the Chambers of Saint Paul City Hall - Ramsey County Courthouse. Meeting proceedings are video recorded and archived. Minutes, agendas and related documents are available online.
July Board Meetings
During the month of July, the Ramsey County board approved a $18.4 million investment, stepping up the county's efforts to tackle the affordable housing crisis.
This funding will support 29 housing projects across the county, leading to the creation, preservation, and subsidization of more than 1,400 housing units. These units include 200 deeply affordable homes for individuals and families earning under 30% of the area median income.
The investment pulls from several sources:
- $11.9 million in Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA)
- $5.7 million from the HRA levy
- $739,000 in State Affordable Housing Aid (SAHA)
Overall, the funds will fuel projects focused on new construction, property acquisition, rehabilitation, and preserving existing affordable housing.
Funding Changes at the State and Federal Level
The potential consequences of the Federal Reconciliation Bill demand urgent attention to mitigating the harm on those most vulnerable in our community. Ramsey County will not be able to absorb the combined costs of federal program cuts and heavy administrative mandates.
The bill creates major changes to Medicaid (known as Medical Assistance or MA in Minnesota) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next few years. Changes to MA and SNAP will likely affect how benefits are administered and who may be eligible.This could mean longer wait times for critical services, loss of benefits, more out-of-pocket costs, increased uncompensated care costs, and higher property taxes.
Strong partnerships is a key part of mitigating these impacts. That is why Ramsey County is actively collaborating with the National Association of Counties (NACo), the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC), and other metro-area counties to understand and respond to the potential implications.
As the full effects of the Federal Reconciliation Bill unfold, the county will work in strong partnership with the legislature, Minnesota’s state agencies, and counties across the country in developing a response to fiscal pressures on state and county budgets in the short and longer term.
Learn more about how Ramsey County is preparing for federal and state funding changes.
Check out Commissioner Jebens-Singh's guest column in the local Press Pubs! In this most recent issue, she provides an update on the backlogs occurring in the county's Financial Aid Services department.
District One Office Hours
 Join Commissioner Jebens-Singh during her District One office hours! Whether you have a specific topic you wish to address, you want to learn more about ongoing initiatives, or you are just eager to connect, the Commissioner and her staff are eager to engage with you.
Once you sign up via Calendly, office staff will follow up with you to confirm the meeting time, meeting location, and gather any additional details necessary for the discussion.
Rice Creek Commons Joint Development Authority
 As the Joint Development Authority (JDA) begins discussions around a new solicitation process for selecting a developer for the California parcel at the TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons site, JDA commissioners used the July 7 work session to review the previous solicitation process.
This review provided important historical context to help inform future decisions. Commissioners also examined an updated development roadmap and began shaping agendas for upcoming meetings.
These discussion will continue in the upcoming work session Monday, August 4.
View the full meeting, agenda, and minutes.
Outside Boards, Committees, & Workgroups
National Association of Counties Annual Conference
 Several Ramsey County Commissioners, including Commissioner Jebens-Singh, recently attended the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference. The event offers county leaders the chance to help shape NACo’s direction through leadership elections and committee votes that influence the 2026–2027 legislative platform.
Throughout the conference, attendees explored pressing federal policy issues, engaged in workshops on county best practices, and participated in informative mobile tours hosted by the local jurisdiction.
Commissioner Jebens-Singh was honored to serve as a panelist during a county forum on health and well-being, where she joined a discussion on transforming emergency services for mental health crises. She highlighted Ramsey County’s innovative approaches to building a broad ecosystem of care. A system that extends beyond county services to support community-based and long-term mental health solutions.
 
Understanding County Functions & Partners
 Commissioner Jebens-Singh, alongside her colleagues Commissioner McMurtrey and Commissioner Miller, continue to deepen their understanding of county services and partnerships through a series of leadership engagement opportunities.
As part of their ongoing learning, the commissioners met with leaders from Ramsey County’s Public Health department to gain insight into the critical work being done to support residents’ health and well-being. The discussion provided a valuable overview of the department’s wide-ranging efforts—from maternal and child health to disease prevention, environmental health, and emergency preparedness—and highlighted the essential role public health plays in improving outcomes across the county.
The commissioners also visited the American Indian Family Center, where they had the opportunity to engage with staff and learn more about the role the center plays in the county. The conversation focused on the culturally specific wraparound services they provide, including family support, mental and chemical health services, community healing initiatives, and employment assistance.
District One Parks System Tour
 Commissioner Jebens-Singh knows that the residents in District One love the parks and trail system! That is why she recently joined the county’s Parks Director on a tour of various parks and recreation projects. She visited Vadnais-Snail Lake Regional Park, Sucker Lake Regional Park, Shoreview Ice Arena, and TCO Sports Garden.
At Vadnais-Snail Lake, they discussed plans for a new fishing pier to help prevent swan deaths caused by lead fishing tackle. When exploring area along the Grass Lake and Sucker Lake wetland areas, they reviewed flooding concerns affecting popular trails. At Shoreview Ice Arena, the focus was on aging refrigerant systems. The tour concluded at TCO Sports Garden, where they discussed the various uses of the space and how it serves the community.
Commissioner Jebens-Singh looks forward to continuing to support the good stewardship of county resources, enhancing public spaces, and ensuring that recreational opportunities are available to all residents.
Learn more about ongoing Ramsey County park projects
Habitat for Humanity County Build Day
 The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners was honored to contribute to the advancement of affordable homeownership by volunteering alongside Hennepin County Commissioners, and with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity at The Heights development for County Build Day.
The Heights represents a transformative investment in Saint Paul's Greater East Side—expanding Ramsey County’s tax base and marking the largest development in Twin Cities Habitat’s history. Habitat for Humanity is in charge of developing 147 homeownership units. However, once completed, the full project has the potential to deliver 1,000 new housing units for residents across all income levels, create 1,000 living-wage jobs, incorporate a sustainable geothermal energy system, and introduce new parks and green spaces to the community.
Learn more about this project
Met Council Grass Lake Public Meeting
ACT 3rd Annual Disability Pride Festival
White Bear Marketfest
Grand Re-Opening of Solid Ground's East Metro Place
Community Dental Care Ribbon Cutting
Slice of Shoreview
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