Sponsor: Community Corrections
Title
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Community Corrections Department Annual Authority for Procurement Requests
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Recommendation
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Authorize the County Manager, subject to review by the County Attorney’s Office and the Finance Department, to do the following:
1. Enter into the following expenditure agreements without solicitation through December 31, 2026, and execute future amendments to the agreements and contracts in accordance with the county's procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the budget for the services listed below:
A. Contracts in which the county currently provides services and receives payments from external sources, such as health plans, the Courts, other counties, and other parties, including payments for services already provided.
B. Community support programs, culturally specific African American community support programs and culturally specific American Indian / Indigenous community support programs if there is an urgent need for specific services for a target population that was not previously identified through a prior competitive solicitation process.
C. Providers of psychiatric, psychosexual, and psychological services; to conduct evaluations, consultations, therapy, and treatment, as long as the need exceeds the supply of providers, and the providers are registered or licensed.
2. Approve actions deemed necessary for the orderly administration of expenditure agreements through December 31, 2026:
A. Acceptance of supplementary awards or rate adjustments the county may receive from funding sources other than county levy; and approve related county budget adjustments and execute amendments with funders and contractors.
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Background and Rationale
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Ramsey County Community Corrections operates across both the Health and Wellness and Safety and Justice Service Teams, working collaboratively with the Second Judicial District and a variety of community service providers. The department supports the criminal justice system through a range of services, including client screening and assessments, court reports, community supervision, and short-term custody.
This board request seeks to streamline procurement processes in agreements for services the department provides, including direct agreements with mental health services when demand exceeds available vendors. These agreements provide essential services to justice-involved clients, helping them manage their risk of reoffending, address identified areas of need, and ultimately supporting their successful completion of probation and reintegration as productive members of the community.
The proposal enhances transparency in community engagement during the solicitation and contracting process, with a focus on meeting the needs of racially and culturally diverse individuals, families, and communities. It reaffirms the county’s commitment to an open, competitive process grounded in racial equity, while ensuring that county board approval is still required for any changes to practices or policies, new grant applications, or actions affecting complement, revenues, or appropriations related to the county levy.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Ramsey County is one of the most diverse counties in the state. Persons of color comprise 37% of the total Ramsey County population. Black youth and low-income communities are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system. In 2024, Black youth made up about 20% of Ramsey County’s youth population (ages 10-19) but accounted for 60% of detention admissions and 52% of youth who were admitted to out-of-home placement. Similarly, adults of color and American Indian individuals represent 38% of the county’s adult population, yet they make up 66% of those returned to prison for supervision violations.
Ramsey County Community Corrections is committed to reducing confinement and expanding culturally focused community programs to support clients' reintegration. A key race equity strategy involves contracting with culturally specific providers to enhance services for clients. The department works closely with race equity planners and incorporates community voice when developing all solicitations, evaluation processes and awarding contracts resulting from solicitations.
Aligning with the county’s strategic priority of putting well-being and community at the center of justice system transformation, Ramsey County Community Corrections continues prioritizing race and gender inclusion and equity in decision-making. By intentionally addressing inequities in the criminal justice system, the department seeks partnerships and input from those with lived experience to ensure fair, effective services. Race and Health Equity Liaisons collaborate with the Research and Evaluation Unit to analyze data to identify and address disparities in our policies, services, and outcomes.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Minnesota Statutes 401 mandates that counties participating in the Community Corrections Act establish a Community Advisory Board (CAB), with representatives from law enforcement, prosecution, the judiciary, education, corrections, social services, and lay citizens.
Community Advisory Board (CAB) Responsibilities:
The CAB is responsible for advising the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and the Community Corrections Department on matters related to community corrections. Its duties include:
• Advising on policies, programs, and practices that affect community corrections operations.
• Participating in the development and review of the department’s Comprehensive Plan.
• Making recommendations regarding the department’s budget and overall strategic plans.
• Providing input to ensure community needs and perspectives are represented in corrections planning and services.
Community Corrections has expanded its reform efforts by incorporating client and community input into hiring, planning, contracting, and program development. The department is fostering collaborative decision-making and sharing resources with the community by holding meetings and communities of practice to discuss budget priorities and planning processes.
Community members will be involved in identifying needed services and in selection of contracted vendors, ensuring the department partners with providers who offer culturally specific services that reflect community values, promising practices, and the needs of those served.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Funding for these services is included in the 2026-2027 proposed Community Corrections budget.
Last Previous Action
On November 19, 2024, the Ramsey County Board approved the Community Corrections Department’s request for processes streamlining the approval of expenditure agreements (Resolution B2024-233).
Attachments
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