Spring is here, and the ice is melting. As the seasons begin to shift, it has been wonderful to see you gathering in community—whether at the Iftar Dinner hosted at the National Guard, the Garden Expo in Mounds View, White Bear Township’s Annual Meeting, the Irish Festival at the Landmark Center, or the many events focused on lifting up community-led support efforts. These moments of connection reflect the care and commitment that define our region. 

In recognition of Women’s History Month, I took the time to highlight the contributions of Carrie Chapman Catt, whose leadership played a critical role in the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, and in the founding of the League of Women Voters. See my board remarks here. The responsibility to protect and advance these rights continues today. 

I also joined self-advocates, caregivers, service providers, and policy leaders at the Mental Health Advocacy Rally at the Capitol. With this year’s theme, Keep the Door OPEN for Mental Health Care, the event underscored the urgency of protecting access to behavioral health services. I am grateful to NAMI MN and the Mental Health Legislative Network for their continued leadership and advocacy at a time when these supports are more important than ever. 

International Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31. This is an opportunity to uplift transgender leaders, voices, stories, and lived experiences while continuing to build a community where all residents are seen, respected, and supported. You can access a number of resources for LGBTQ Community connections and care through this link which leads to the Twin Cities Pride Resources page. Ramsey County Library is celebrating with an updated reading list of transgender literature.  Multiple genres are represented, you might even find your new favorite book or author.

Thank you for continuing to show up, engage, and care for one another in ways that strengthen our communities. Our office remains committed to listening, advocating, and working alongside you to ensure every resident has the opportunity to thrive.

“Why can’t county services be better, faster, and easier to access?” And “Can’t you cut your budget so my property taxes wouldn’t be so high?” These are the questions I get every week. As a former president and CEO, I know just how important and impactful it is to get what I call ‘the back of the house’ in order.

This is why I am thrilled to champion Operational Excellence one of Ramsey County’s strategic priorities. By strengthening how we work internally, we can continue to meet community needs, reduce our reliance on property taxes, and ensure our employees are set up to do their best work now and into the future.   

This means improving systems, delivering services more efficiently, maximizing the impact of available resources, reducing long term budget pressures, reducing risks, and investing in a strong workforce. All factors in ensuring that services are reliable, responsive, accessible, and support you and your community’s needs.  

Recently, the County received a high audit rating from the State Auditor's Office, reflecting strong financial management and oversight. In February, the Ramsey County 2024 Year in Financials received an unmodified opinion on our financial statements and on almost all of our committee reports and federal programs. This means we had a clean audit, showed adherence to all rules, and that the county has sufficient controls in place to ensure lack of fraud and waste. As Chair of the Audit Committee, I remain focused on ensuring we continue to uphold these standards.   

Ramsey County has also received the highest possible bond ratings from two major credit scoring agencies S&P and Moody, reflecting the county’s strong financial health-- indicating healthy reserves, consistently balanced budgets, effective fiscal management, and low long-term debt. This is important as these rating allow the county to access lower interest rates when borrowing, helping us reduce tax burdens on residents, while investing in the infrastructure our community needs. Read more about county bonds here. 

My focus remains grounded in real outcomes for residents. I will continue to push for continuous improvement and accountability in Ramsey County. We must be intentional in how we build our systems, so we can show up consistently for you in ways that matter, every day. 

If you have questions or disagree with your property classification or current year’s estimated market value, please contact the Assessor's Office first at 651-266-2131 to discuss your concerns. You can receive support in appealing your tax statement and providing documentation (such as a recent appraisal or sale of the property) that supports your claim of overvaluation or an erroneous classification. 

The open book appeal period began March 15, 2026, and will end June 1, 2026. Property owners can speak directly with an appraiser during the annual Open Book meeting on Tuesday, April 7 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Based on the documentation provided and our review, the county may be able to adjust the valuation or classification of your property without further appeals.  

You also have the option to file a formal appeal. If you choose to formally appeal your property value, you can do so to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization or through Minnesota Tax Court. You can receive a form to appeal to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization by contacting the assessor's office at 651-266-2131. Appeal forms must be mailed to the county and postmarked by May 4. To file an appeal through the Minnesota Tax Court you can visit https://mn.gov/tax-court/.  

Property Tax Resources: 

• Ramsey County 2026 Temporary Property Tax Extension: Due to economic disruptions and reduced revenue for local businesses caused by Operation Metro Surge, the county is offering a temporary two-month extension for first half 2026 property tax payments. 

• Minnesota Property Tax Refund: Minnesota’s Property Tax Refund provides direct financial relief to homeowners by refunding a portion of their property taxes. 

• Homestead Credits: Homestead tax relief helps reduce property taxes for homeowners by lowering the taxable value of your primary residence. There are also special homestead programs offered for veterans, the blind, and individuals with disabilities. 

• Property Tax Deferrals for Senior Citizens: The Senior Property Tax Deferral Program allows eligible homeowners age 65 and older to defer a portion of their property taxes through a loan and requiring repayment once the home is sold. 

Come together with community as Ramsey County hosts a cleanup event in celebration of Earth Day.

Date: Tuesday, April 21  

Time: 4:00pm to 7:00pm 

Location: Battle Creek Pavilion

(2300 Upper Afton Rd, Maplewood) 

If you would like to volunteer individually or with a group, email kenneth.pelto@co.ramsey.mn.us. 

In preparation for Earth Week, The WAVE Coalition is hosting an Earth Day Clean Up at the Vadnais-Snail Lake Regional Park! Bring your family and take a walk in nature while also helping WAVE volunteers clean the local park! 

Date: Saturday, April 18 

Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm 

Location: Vadnais Snail Lakes Regional Park - Sucker Lake Picnic Area 

(4500 Rice Street Vadnais Heights) 

Learn more and RSVP