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Ramsey County Manager submits proposed 2026–2027 biennial budget

Ramsey County Manager Ling Becker submitted the proposed 2026-2027 biennial budget to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners for consideration. The spending plan reflects both the current challenges facing local government and the choices required to ensure a stable, resilient and responsive county government — now and into the future.

“This proposed budget shows our commitment to using every dollar wisely, protecting essential county services, and strengthening the systems that support our residents and businesses,” Becker said. “This is the most difficult budget in our recent history. It requires tough trade-offs, including targeted staff reductions and service adjustments. But it also invests in our people, our services, and the systems our community depends on.”

Budget and property tax levy proposal

The county’s proposed budget totals $929,256,728 for 2026 — a 6.57% overall budget increase from the 2025 budget — and $968,457,020 for 2027 — a 4.22% increase from 2026. It includes a property tax levy increase of 9.75% in 2026 and 7.5% in 2027. Critical investments in the county’s workforce are the largest driver of this change, accounting for 5% of the levy increase in 2026 and 4% in 2027.

While acknowledging the impact the levy change would have on households and business owners, Becker emphasized how a stable, supported workforce would mean residents continue to receive the services they need – whether it’s public safety, health, transportation, housing or human services – and that investing in employees is investing in residents.

“This moment is not business as usual,” Becker said. “Rather, it demands discipline, clarity, resolve and a stronger-than-ever workforce. We need to keep our systems and workforce strong, so we're better prepared for the challenges we all know are coming.”

Following its 2024-2025 countywide strategic plan, Ramsey County took necessary steps to attract and retain a skilled workforce. These steps included aligning employee compensation to nine comparable jurisdictions and including those adjustments in three-year labor agreements approved earlier this year. From the medical staff in our county health clinics to law enforcement officers, financial assistance workers, park workers and librarians, county salaries now better reflect market rates.

Targeted staff reductions of 43 filled positions are also included in the proposed biennial budget. “These are not easy decisions, but they are responsible ones,” Becker added. “They protect long-term stability while keeping our focus squarely on delivering core county services.”

Strategic investments

In addition to targeted reductions, the proposed budget makes critical investments to sustain and strengthen operations in the face of rising complexity, growing community needs and external uncertainty.

Key projects and initiatives in proposed budget

  • Project Bridge – The Adult Detention Center has continued to face significant overcrowding. Project Bridge, launched in 2025, addresses this challenge by relocating individuals to the Ramsey County Correctional Facility, which is designed for extended stays and has expanded programming. This shift creates space and staff capacity at the ADC to better serve those with the most acute needs, particularly individuals undergoing mental and behavioral health evaluations. Project Bridge not only eases overcrowding but also builds a rehabilitative system that improves safety, care and outcomes for residents and staff alike.
  • Appropriate Responses Initiative (ARI) – Many 911 callers do not need responses by law enforcement, firefighters or emergency medical service. ARI shifts some of that violence prevention and safety responsibility to county partnerships with mental health, public health and community. Initially funded by the sunsetting American Rescue Plan Act, ARI receives ongoing funding in the proposed 2026-2027 budget.
  • Child Protection Services – New proposed funding would expand staffing to reduce caseloads, provide enhanced training for child protection professionals, and build stronger partnerships with schools, health providers and community organizations. These investments would create a more resilient and responsive system that protects vulnerable children while supporting family stability and long-term community well-being.

“In uncertain times, it’s tempting to pull back — to delay investments,” Becker said. “But that increases our risk. This budget makes tough but responsible choices to preserve, strengthen, and equip the systems, people, and tools we rely on — so we can adapt, respond, and continue serving our community, no matter what lies ahead.”

Five budget priorities

The proposed 2026–2027 budget is structured around five themes that align with the County’s strategic priorities:

  • County-responsible services: Delivering the essential functions that counties are either legally mandated or uniquely positioned to provide.
  • Operating as one Ramsey County: Breaking down barriers across departments to drive collaboration, share solutions and serve resident needs with an all-hands-on-deck approach.
  • Investing in organizational excellence: Eliminating redundancies, improving service delivery and advancing the next evolution of the county’s organizational structure.
  • Advancing partnerships: Leveraging state and federal funding, plus strengthening collaboration with cities, schools, community-based organizations and other jurisdictions, with a focus on racial equity.
  • Supporting long-term fiscal health: Addressing structural funding gaps, safeguarding reserves, protecting strong credit ratings, and advancing economic development initiatives to grow and diversify the tax base.

Next steps

The county board will consider the proposed budget in the weeks ahead, with opportunities for community input through written comments, commissioner engagement and public hearings.

More about the proposed biennial budget

Board presentations and workshops

Posted on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 - 3:19 p.m.