Sponsor: County Manager's Office
Title
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Contract with Press Publications, Inc for 2025 Newspaper Publications
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Recommendation
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1. Award a contract to Press Publications, Inc., 4779 Bloom Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN 55110, as the designated Official Newspaper for the following Ramsey County publications:
A. Official proceedings of the Board of Ramsey County Commissioners and all notices for the year 2025; the 2024 Financial Statement; and the Notice of Expiration of Redemption in the Vadnais Heights Press in the amount of $6.47 per column inch for the first insertion, and $6.47 for subsequent insertions.
B. 2024 Financial Statement in the White Bear Press as the other newspaper of general circulation located in a different municipality in the county than the Official Newspaper, in the amount of $16.27 per column inch and $16.27 per column inch for subsequent insertions.
C. Official Newspaper for publication of Ramsey County’s List of Real Estate Taxes Remaining Delinquent on the first day of January 2025 in the Vadnais Heights Press in the amount of $6.47 per column inch and $6.47 per column inch for subsequent insertions.
2. Authorize the Chair and the Chief Clerk to execute the contract with Press Publications, Inc.
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Background and Rationale
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Annually, a competitive solicitation is released for official publication services required of Ramsey County for the subsequent year. The awarding of the contract is to be at the county board’s first regular session each year.
Minnesota Statutes require various official publications of Ramsey County. Minnesota Statutes 331A.02 define the requirements for a qualified newspaper.
Minnesota Statutes 375.17 requires Ramsey County’s 2025 Financial Statement to be published in the newspaper designated by the Ramsey County board as the Official Newspaper for such publication, and in a newspaper of general circulation located in a different municipality in the county than the Official Newspaper.
Minnesota Statutes 279.09-279.10 and 279.13 as amended requires publication in the newspaper designated annually by the Ramsey County board the List of Real Estate Taxes Remaining Delinquent on the first day of January.
Minnesota Statutes 281.23 as amended requires publication of the Notice of Expiration of Redemption for the County of Ramsey.
For the year 2025, two proposals were received in response to the Request for Bids. The awards are required to be given to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder - based on the lowest bid per publication type included in the solicitation, the award being given to the one proposer:
• Press Publications, Inc., 4779 Bloom Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN 55110, designated as the Official Newspaper for the following Ramsey County publications:
o Official proceedings and other public notices; 2023 Financial Statement; and Notice of Expiration of Redemption in the Vadnais Heights Press in the amount of $6.47 per column inch for the first insertion, and $6.47 for subsequent insertions.
o 2023 Financial Statement in the White Bear Press as the other newspaper of general circulation located in a different municipality in the county than the Official Newspaper in the amount of $16.27 per column inch and $16.27 per column inch for subsequent insertions.
o Official Newspaper for publication of Ramsey County’s List of Real Estate Taxes Remaining Delinquent on the first day of January 2024 in the Vadnais Heights Press in the amount of $6.47 per column inch and $6.47 per column inch for subsequent insertions.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Designation of an official newspaper to publish the official notices including the proceedings of the Ramsey County Board, the county’s Financial Statements and the List of Real Estate Taxes Remaining Delinquent is an annual organizational action. The decision is based on a competitive solicitation process and procurement policies requiring the award to go to the lowest responsible bidder.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Informing the community of this action provides transparency in the selection process, which is determined based on a competitive solicitation and procurement policies. The Official Newspaper provides transparency and information to the community, in the form of minutes and hearing notices, about the proceedings of the Ramsey County Board initiatives that are important to the community.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Funds are available in the approved 2025 County Manager’s budget.
Last Previous Action
On January 2, 2024, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners awarded a contract to the following (Resolution B2024-008):
• Press Publications, Inc., 4779 Bloom Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN 55110, as the designated Official Newspaper for the following Ramsey County publications:
o Official proceedings of the Board of Ramsey County Commissioners and all notices for the year 2023; the 2022 Financial Statement; and the Notice of Expiration of Redemption in the Vadnais Heights Press in the amount of $6.16 per column inch for the first insertion, and $6.16 for subsequent insertions.
o 2022 Financial Statement in the White Bear Press as the other newspaper of general circulation located in a different municipality in the County than the Official Newspaper, in the amount of $15.50 per column inch and $15.50 per column inch for subsequent insertions.
o Official Newspaper for publication of Ramsey County’s List of Real Estate Taxes Remaining Delinquent on the first day of January 2023 in the Vadnais Heights Press in the amount of $6.16 per column inch and $6.16 per column inch for subsequent insertions.
Attachments
1. Press Publications Procurement Contract 2025
2. Agreement Terms and Conditions with Press Publications
3. Pricing Worksheet 2025