| Greetings District 1,
The Ramsey County Board is rolling up its sleeves for budget season. This is the time when we sort through priorities, look closely at the numbers, and make decisions that affect the daily lives of our residents.
I want you to be part of that conversation. Whether it’s through sharing public comments, attending a hearing, meeting with me, or just sending me a quick message, your input helps shape where and how we invest.
This newsletter will provide you with valuable information on the 26-27 budget cycle and the many ways you can stay engaged. Together, we can make sure our budget reflects the values and needs of our community.
Sincerely,
 Tara Jebens-Singh
Commissioner, Ramsey County District 1
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.
Ramsey County 2026-2027 Budget Cycle
Ramsey County’s 2026-2027 budget process advances the vision, mission and goals established by the Board of Commissioners and the strategic priorities outlined in the County's strategic plan.
Budget proposals from service teams will include and focus on the following:
- Prioritizing County-responsible services
- Operating as One Ramsey County
- Investing in organizational excellence
- Advancing partnerships
- Supporting long-term fiscal health
The County Manager and service teams will present their 2026-27 proposed budgets to the board of commissioners for review throughout September in the Council Chambers.
- Sept. 2, 9:30 am. – County Manager presents the budget to the board of commissioners.
- Sept. 15, 1–4:30 p.m. – Strategic Team budget presentation.
- Sept. 16, 1:30–4:30 p.m. – Information and Public Records budget presentation.
- Sept. 18, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. – Economic Growth and Community Investment budget presentation.
- Sept. 19, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. – Health and Wellness budget presentation.
- Sept. 22, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. – Safety and Justice budget presentation.
Watch Board of Commissioners Meeting Here
August Board Meetings
This month, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners received two important presentations that will help guide future decision-making. The first focused on county funding streams, outlining the complex ways resources flow into and through the county. This discussion is especially timely as counties nationwide prepare for the “Big Shift”—the growing trend of costs and responsibilities being pushed down from state and federal governments to local counties.
Ramsey County plays a unique dual role: administering essential state and federal programs while also serving as an independent unit of government with its own priorities and responsibilities. Understanding how these funding streams work is critical as the Board considers how to balance these roles while continuing to provide high-quality services to residents.
The Board also received a presentation on community indicators—metrics shaped through extensive community engagement that track past and current trends impacting quality of life in Ramsey County. These indicators, which include measures such as affordability, wealth creation, early childhood development, health, and public safety, provide valuable insights into community-wide outcomes and progress. They serve as a compass for long-term planning and budgeting, guiding strategic priorities and advancing Ramsey County’s vision of inclusive prosperity while working to reduce racial and ethnic disparities.
Additional Resources
- Ramsey County 26-27 Biennial Budget
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Ramsey County Open Data Portal:
- The Open Data Portal, Open Ramsey County, makes data generated by the county openly available to the public to increase transparency, accountability and comparability, promote economic development and research, and improve performance management. Open Ramsey County provides a wide variety of data, charts, stories, maps and performance measures.
District One Office Hours
 Budget season is right around the corner at Ramsey County, and your voice is a key part of the process. 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 Commissioner Jebens-Singh would like to hear from you 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.
 Congratulations to County Manager Ling Becker and Commissioner Xiong – HAP Changemakers!
The District One office is thrilled to share that County Manager Ling Becker and Commissioner Xiong have been named two of the 35 Changemakers honored by the Hmong American Partnership (HAP) in celebration of its 35th anniversary.
This prestigious recognition highlights individuals whose leadership, advocacy, and heart have helped shape the collective journey of the Hmong and Southeast Asian community. Please join us in congratulating them on this well-deserved honor!
Rice Creek Commons Joint Development Authority
At the August Rice Creek Commons Joint Development Authority (JDA) workshop, the board reviewed the project’s updated Sustainability Guidelines. The conversation highlighted progress made in recent months around sustainability.
Staff also addressed key questions raised by commissioners at the previous meeting, providing responses and context to help guide future decisions on the developer solicitation process. The discussion covered the differences between developer types for various construction projects, the processes for both Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Information (RFIs), and the respective roles of the county, city, and JDA . Additionally, the board reviewed current market conditions and funding sources available to support affordable housing and clean energy initiatives connected to the site’s development.
View the full meeting, agenda, and minutes.
Outside Boards, Committees, & Workgroups
Youth Justice Transformation
 This month, the Ramsey County Board received a presentation on a Youth Justice Transformation (YJT) initiative highlighting the county's continued commitment to centering youth wellbeing, prevention, and restoration beyond detention reform.
Building on nearly two decades of work to reduce youth detention and address racial disparities, beginning with the adoption of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) in 2005, recent data from the county’s Risk Assessment Instrument (RAI) showed that many of our young people were previously being held in our Juvenile Detention Center when more supportive options could be used and some youth are currently still slipping through the cracks.
In response, the county is expanding community-based solutions and moving forward with new Healing and Treatment Homes—safe, stable, and culturally responsive spaces where youth can receive therapy, family support, and healing-centered care. Backed by a $10 million state investment, these homes are slated to open in 2026 and are designed to reduce detention, strengthen families, and build safer communities.
Watch the Board Presentation Here.
Grand Re-Opneing of the Maplewood Service Center
 Earlier in the month, Commissioner Jebens-Singh took part in the opening celebration of the newly renovated Maplewood Service Center, joining county staff and local leaders to mark the start of a new era in delivering reliable, accessible, and efficient public services.
The upgraded facility offers high-speed WiFi, public computers, scanning stations, and printers, along with multilingual support, family-friendly spaces, and inclusive artwork. Residents can access general navigator support, Community Career Labs, Child Support Services, Financial Assistance Services, Housing Stability programs, and Veterans Services—making it a convenient, modern, and welcoming hub for the community.
Ramsey County Pretrial Justice Council Community Event
 Ramsey County Pretrial Justice Council hosted a community event highlighting ongoing efforts to build a more equitable justice system through prioritizing community well-being, safety, and reducing reliance on pretrial detention.
Commissioner Jebens-Singh was able to hear presentations on mental health services within the Adult Detention Center, the experiences and definitions of the pretrial population, and an overview of the research process from the Minnesota Justice Research Center (MNJRC) on bail reform, which will work to continue informing the path forward for individuals who come within the county's custody and care.
The Ramsey County Pretrial Justice Council hosted a community event highlighting ongoing efforts to build a more equitable justice system by prioritizing community well-being, safety, and reducing reliance on pretrial detention.
Later in the month, Commissioner Jebens-Singh also attended the Treatment Court Community Picnic and observed commitment and Rule 20 court hearings. The picnic allowed judges and treatment court team members to break down some of the traditional barriers between criminal court staff and those who come before the court by participating in a game of kickball. Furthermore, the court hearing allowed Commissioner Jebens-Singh to gain deeper insight into the justice process from pretrial to trial to help better understand how decisions at each stage impact individuals who are under the county's custody and care.
Night to Unite
Ramsey County Friends of the Library 'Summer Night's w/ Friends"
Ramsey County League of Local Governments Members Social
Shoreview/Arden Hills Lions Club Community Picnic
Arden Hills/Shoreview Rotary Club 'Taste of Hops & Vines'
IndiaFest
City of Shoreview Tree Dedication in Honor of Rep. Melissa Hortman
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