Sponsor: Human Resources
Title
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Proposed Ramsey County Commissioner’s Salary Ordinance for 2027 - Waive the Second Reading and Hold the Public Hearing
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Recommendation
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1. Waive the second reading of the proposed Ramsey County Commissioner’s Salary Ordinance for 2027.
2. Hold the Public Hearing for the proposed Ramsey County Commissioner’s Salary Ordinance for 2027.
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Background and Rationale
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The Ramsey County Home Rule Charter section 5.01.A.1 requires that certain acts of the Ramsey County Board shall be by ordinance. The provisions of the Ramsey County Home Rule Charter relating to compensation for the Board of Commissioners in section 2.01.D state that:
a. The Ramsey County Board may determine the amount of the annual salary of its members by passage of a salary ordinance; and
b. The salary ordinance must be passed by July 1 of the year prior to the effective date of the ordinance;
c. The ordinance shall not become effective until the first business day of the following year (January 1, 2027).
Ramsey County employees with settled bargaining agreements and unrepresented employees received a cost of living adjustment (COLA) of 3.50% in 2026. It has normally been the intention of the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners that future salary increases for the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners be set at a rate that matches the COLA given to employees in the previous year.
An increase of 3.50% for the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners will result in a salary increase equivalent to the general wage increase given to employees in the calendar year 2026. The current annual salary of the Board of Commissioners is $107,199 for County Board Members, and $112,559 for the County Board Chair. The proposed salary ordinance would increase commissioners’ salary to $110,951 for County Board Members and to $116,499 for the County Board Chair.
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 Ramsey County Board prior to its introduction. In accordance with these requirements, the proposed Ramsey County Commissioner’s Salary Ordinance for 2026 was provided to each commissioner prior to its introduction on May 26, 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.
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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 action is strictly operational and internal facing. It is the intent of the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners that future salary increases for the commissioners matches the cost of living adjustment (COLA) given to employees in the previous year.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Funding is accounted for in the Board of Commissioner’s approved 2026-2027 operating budget.
Last Previous Action
On May 26, 2026, the Ramsey County Board waived the first reading and set the public hearing date of June 16, 2026 for the proposed Ramsey County Commissioner’s Salary Ordinance for 2027 ordinance (Resolution B2026-065).
Attachments
1. Proposed Salary Ordinance
2. Proposed Schedule
3. Affidavit of Publication