Sponsor: Finance
Title
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Certification of the Maximum Tax Levy for the Proposed 2026 Property Tax Notices
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Recommendation
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Approve the proposed maximum tax levy to finance the 2026 budget in the amount of $434,565,563. The breakdown between the General County and Library levy is as follows:
General County $417,062,635
Library $17,502,928
Total $434,565,563
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Background and Rationale
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Minnesota Law (M.S. 275.065) requires the County to certify the proposed tax levy by the county auditor by September 30, 2025.
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners will approve the final 2026 tax levy in December 2025. This final levy can be lower than the maximum certified but cannot be increased over the maximum levy approved.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The racial equity impact of departments, programs and services is included in the 2026-2027 Proposed Biennial Budget documents and were discussed during the budget hearings in September 2025 and is included in county performance measures data available in the open data portal.
The impact of property tax trends and levy impacts on residents and businesses was also presented to the board by the County Auditor in September 2025 with a focus on equity.
Community Participation Level and Impact
On this specific action, the community participation level is to inform. This is one action in the larger county process of proposing and approving its biennial budget. The process has involved informing and consulting through community budget conversations, board presentations, and public hearings.
Two public hearings for the public to comment on the 2026-2027 proposed budget are incorporated in the budget process. The public hearings are scheduled for:
• Monday, September 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. - Ramsey County Courthouse, Council Chambers - 15 West Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55102
• Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. - Ramsey County Courthouse, Council Chambers - 15 West Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55102
Information on the 2026-2027 proposed budget is available at:
<https://www.ramseycounty.us/your-government/budget-finance>
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
A maximum property tax of $434,565,563 would result in a 9.75% levy increase. This funding will represent 46% of the total proposed 2026 County budget.
Last Previous Action
A public hearing on the budget was held on September 22, 2025.
Service teams and departments presented details on their proposed budgets from September 15 through September 22, 2025.
On September 2, 2025, the County Manager presented the 2026-2027 proposed biennial budget to the Board of Commissioners.
Attachments
None.