Sponsor: Economic Growth and Community Investment
Title
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Proposed Environmental Services Department Ordinance - Waive Second Reading and Hold Public Hearing
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Recommendation
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1. Waive the Second Reading of the proposed Environmental Services Department Ordinance.
2. Hold the Public Hearing for the proposed Environmental Services Department Ordinance.
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Background and Rationale
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Environmental Health has functioned as a division of the Ramsey County Public Health department within the Health and Wellness Service Team, since the 1980’s.
In September 2025, as part of broad countywide Organizational Alignment efforts, it was proposed to the Board of Commissioners in the Ramsey County Manager’s 2026-27 Recommended Budget that Environmental Health would be moved to the Economic Growth and Community Investment (EGCI) service team in 2027. This move helps to achieve the goal of balancing service teams and supports the Operational Excellence Strategic Priority. With the move to EGCI, Environmental Health will be established as a standalone department, and the name will be changed to Environmental Services. This ordinance is necessary to establish and structure the Environmental Services department as part of EGCI.
The Ramsey County Home Rule Charter section 5.01.A.1 requires that certain acts of the Ramsey County Board shall be by ordinance, including: “Establish, structure, merge or abolish any county department, office, agenda, board or commissions, except as provided for in this charter.”
The Ramsey County Home Rule Charter section 5.02 states each proposed ordinance shall receive two readings: first, at the time it is presented, and second, at the time of the public hearing as required by law. Both readings may be waived if a copy of the ordinance is supplied to each member of the County Board prior to its introduction. In accordance with these requirements, the proposed Environmental Services Department Ordinance was provided to each commissioner prior to its introduction on October 13, 2026. Therefore, the second reading may be waived by duly made motion and majority vote.
The Ramsey County Home Rule Charter section 5.02 states that every proposed ordinance shall hold a public hearing as required by law. A notification of the public hearing, which includes the draft ordinance will be publicized in advance of the public hearing. This action sets the date of the Public Hearing as November 3, 2026 or as soon thereafter as possible, in the Council Chambers.
Persons who intend to testify are encouraged to sign up online at ramseycountymn.gov/chiefclerk or contact the Chief Clerk at 651-266-9200 prior to November 3, 2026. If in-person testimony is not feasible, comments may alternatively be provided via the following methods:
• Email: chiefclerk@ramseycountymn.gov <mailto:chiefclerk@ramseycountymn.gov>
• Written letter to: Chief Clerk, 15 West Kellogg Blvd., 250 Courthouse, Saint Paul, MN 55102
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
There is no specific racial equity impact associated with the proposed action.
Community Participation Level and Impact
This proposed action was approved as part of the 2026-27 Recommended Budget, which included opportunities for community input.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Management of the Environmental Charge and Solid Waste Fund are moving from the Public Health Department to the Environmental Services Department starting on January 1, 2027. All positions and programs funded by the Solid Waste Fund in the 2027 budget will remain the same. The direct fiscal impact will be to fund a newly created Environmental Services Director position and funding of an existing Planning Manager position to be transferred from Public Health to Environmental Services. Both positions will be funded from the Solid Waste Fund and will have no impact on the county’s general levy.
Last Previous Action
On October 13, 2026, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the Proposed Environmental Services Department Ordinance - Waive First Reading and Set Public Hearing Date (Resolution B2026-135).
Attachments
1. Proposed Environmental Services Department Ordinance
2. Proposed Schedule of Events
3. Affidavit of Publication - Public Hearing Notice