Budget season is right around the corner at Ramsey County, and your voice is a key part of the process. On Thursday, September 4 at 5:30 p.m. at Sun Ray Library, we’re hosting a community conversation about the county’s budget priorities. Save and share the flyer below!
The programs and services residents use, such as medical assistance, transportation, public safety, health care, libraries, and even waste management, are shaped by the choices we make in our budget. That’s why I want to make sure this process is more open and transparent, so you can see how your input directly influences the investments we make.
This year’s budget conversations are especially important as we anticipate potential federal funding cuts to programs that many in our community depend on. Your feedback will help us protect and prioritize the services that matter most, even in the face of uncertainty.
I hope you’ll join us, share your ideas, and be part of the conversation that guides how we serve our residents in the year ahead.
Sincerely,
Mai Chong Xiong
 The County Manager will present the budget to the Board and public on September 2, 2025, which is also the first day of Saint Paul Public Schools. To accommodate this, the public board meeting will start at 9:30 a.m. County Board budget hearings are scheduled for September 17, 18, 19, and 22, with the first public hearing taking place on September 22. The Board will set the maximum property tax levy on September 23.
Register for the District 6 budget discussion here.
The Youth Justice Transformation (YJT) presentation highlighted Ramsey County’s commitment to centering youth wellbeing, prevention, and restoration beyond detention reform. It detailed the county’s shift toward community-based, culturally responsive alternatives to detention, with a focus on addressing root causes and eliminating racial disparities.
Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) Admissions
 Here, the upper chart tracks the total number of youth admitted to the Juvenile Detention Center each year from 2005 to 2024. Admissions dropped dramatically from over 3,300 in 2005 to 438 in 2024, with the most significant reductions occurring between 2005 and 2009. After that, numbers continued to decline gradually, especially after 2018, reflecting expanded diversion, prevention, and alternatives-to-detention strategies.
JDC Average Daily Population (ADP)
 Here, the lower chart tracks the average number of youth held in detention on any given day during the year. The ADP fell from 89 in 2005 to 16 in 2024, with the steepest decline also occurring between 2005 and 2009. Since 2010, the ADP has remained much lower than pre-reform levels, with some year-to-year fluctuations, but overall staying under 30 for the past decade.
Notably, the data presented at the YJT convening last month also that the most impacted youth come from the 55106 ZIP code, which includes District 6 neighborhoods. These numbers underscore the urgency of investing in prevention, intervention, and transitional supports where they are needed most.
Continued investments in respite shelters, youth treatment homes, and restorative practices are essential to providing safe alternatives to detention, address root causes, and create healing pathways for youth and families most impacted by the justice system. Watch the Board presentation here.
 Here's the latest update provided by the Saint Paul Port Authority:
- Larpenteur Avenue E is opened to traffic.
Work anticipated week of August 11:
-
Roadway crews will continue paving on Howard Street, between Ivy Avenue and Montana Avenue, Cottage Avenue, and Montana Avenue from McKnight Road to Howard Street.
-
Utility crews will complete storm sewer installation on Howard Street between Ivy Avenue and Montana Avenue, and on Winthrop Avenue from Ivy Avenue to Cottage Avenue.
-
Additional utility crew will continue sanitary sewer and watermain on Winthrop Avenue from Ivy Avenue to Cottage Avenue and on Idaho Avenue, and begin storm sewer installation on these blocks.
Construction Updates at The Height - Saint Paul Port Authority
 Whether you prefer to connect face-to-face or from the comfort of your home, we’re here to meet you where you are. If our scheduled times don’t work for you, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to find a time that does.
Sign-up here!
Saint Paul PHA Waitlists Now Open
The St. Paul Public Housing Agency (St. Paul PHA) is now accepting online applications for Multifamily Housing apartments with 0-5 bedrooms and for scattered site homes and duplexes with 5-bedrooms beginning on July 21, 2025 and continuing until further notice.
The Public Housing Program provides homes with reduced rent (based on income) to households with low incomes.
Learn more here.
Ramsey County Business Development Grants
 We are pleased to share that Ramsey County’s Re-imagination Resource Center initiative is looking for local business community organizations (BCOs) who provide resources, training, or mentoring to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
BCOs may apply for grants lasting two years awarding approximately up to $150,000 per year, however, final awards will depend on the evaluation of eligible applications. Ramsey County anticipates awarding up to $2M in total grants.
The following are not requirements. However, these organizations are encouraged to apply:
- Organizations with a primary office in the local community they serve.
- Organizations with a demonstrated understanding of the unique needs of Ramsey County.
- Organizations with an annual operating budget below $1M.
Consider applying or helping us spread the word among your networks. Here is the link with all the details and the application form: Re-imagination Resource Center Grant Solicitation | Ramsey County
Applications are due August 26th, 2025 at 2:00pm.
CEO Next Business Institute
Ramsey County invites you to apply for CEO Next, a dynamic peer-learning program designed for business leaders ready to take their companies to the next level. This program brings together CEOs to address the challenges of scaling and provides access to high-quality research and expert support.
Through a partnership with Dakota, Scott and Hennepin counties, CEO Next is available at no cost to individuals leading companies with annual revenues over $1 million and between 10 to 99 employees. Get more details and apply at ramseycounty.us/CEONext.
Applications due August 30, 2025.
Ramsey County – Climate Storytelling Project
Climate Change Storytelling – Connecting climate data to Ramsey County residents’ experience
Are you a Ramsey County resident with a climate change related story you’re willing to share? Join Ramsey County’s Climate & Health team in helping to connect personal stories to highlight climate change impacts on health. Participants will video record their stories and share about their individual experiences with climate change impacts and/or climate change action they are taking in their communities. These can relate to extreme heat, extreme cold, flooding, poor air quality, change on ecosystems, climate migration or related stories. These videos will be published along with Ramsey County’s 2025 update to the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment.
Commitment & Compensation:
- Meet at least once with Climate & Health team to flesh out story.
- Attend recording day in the fall.
- At every meeting or for time taken to develop story, participants receive a $25 gift card.
Contact: Nicholai Jost-Epp: Nicholai.jostepp@co.ramsey.mn.us or Uriel Tlatenchi: Uriel.rosalestlatenc@co.ramsey.mn.us / (763) 453-4084
Accessing Arcade Street during Construction
Yes, Arcade Street is currently under construction, but businesses remain open and accessible!
We recognize that road work can make travel more difficult, and we appreciate your patience and continued support. Local businesses and services are still here for you, and your efforts to visit and support them during this time mean a great deal.
Here’s how you can stay connected and plan your visit:
-
Call the location for assistance or personalized directions
-
Check current road closures at 511mn.org
-
Sign up for project updates at MnDOT’s webpage: mndot.gov/metro/projects/e7th-arcade
-
Use nearby side streets for parking and access in closure areas
Thank you for showing up for our local businesses and neighbors. Your commitment helps keep our community strong through every phase of improvement. |
