County board approves 2022-23 budget
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a biennial budget of $774,095,817 in 2022 and $783,166,239 in 2023. This represents an increase of $25,257,019 (3.4%) over 2021 and an increase of $9,070,422 (1.2%) from 2022 to 2023.
"Faced with the realities of the persisting COVID-19 pandemic, this budget sustains and scales the transformative investments we committed to beginning in 2020-2021," said County Board Chair Toni Carter. "We continue prioritizing a Residents First approach to improve service delivery with a focus on systems reform, racial equity and community engagement. I extend our thanks to all residents, businesses and other stakeholders who shared their valuable feedback with us throughout this process."
On Aug. 24, 2021, County Manager Ryan O'Connor proposed a 2022 budget to commissioners. The $1.25 million addition to the 2022 budget since that time represents additional state grant funding received during the 2021 legislative session.
Property taxes fund about 43 percent of the budget. The 1.55% property tax levy increase compares with a statewide average increase of 3.7% in 2022 - one of the ten lowest among Minnesota’s 87 counties.
Commissioners also approved $11.1 million for the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Prior to passage today, Ramsey County had been the only metro-area county in Minnesota not to utilize this authority. The $11.1 million will be used to fund affordable housing efforts and the priorities of the county’s Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan.
Public hearings on the proposed property tax levy and budget were held on Sept. 14 and Nov. 29, 2021.
Video of the Dec. 21 board meeting and documentation, and links to all materials that were a part of budget deliberation process, are available in the budget and finance section.