Sponsor: Public Works
Title
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Approval of the 2024-25 Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority Budget and the 2024 Tax Levy
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Recommendation
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1. Approve and adopt the 2024 budget of $38,914,319 and the 2025 budget of $21,147,595, with all changes noted in the attached budget addenda.
2. Approve and adopt the 2024 tax levy of $34,167,111, a 12.4% increase over the 2023 RCRRA tax levy.
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Background and Rationale
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The proposed 2024 Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority (RCRRA) budget is $38,914,319. The proposed 2025 RCRRA budget is $21,147,595. The RCRRA certified a proposed maximum levy of $34,167,111 for 2024 on September 26, 2023, which represents an increase of 12.4% from 2023 and is the maximum allowed under state law.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The 2024-25 RCRRA proposed budget and tax levy allows the RCRRA to deliver projects that have a positive impact on users of all races and abilities. RCRRA transit projects are part of the Ramsey County All Abilities Transportation Network, whose policy is a commitment to creating and maintaining a transportation system that provides equitable access for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, health, education, abilities and economics.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The development of the county's transitway projects (Green Line, Gold Line, Purple Line and Riverview Corridors) can be used as a model of highly effective, transparent, and creative community engagement to connect with and hear a range of different voices and perspectives for the projects. Community engagement is embedded into the process and occurs throughout the lifecycle of the projects.
Two public hearings are incorporated in the budget process and included opportunities for public comment.
• Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. - Ramsey County Courthouse, Room 300 Council Chambers - 15 West Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55102.
• Wednesday, December 6, 2023 - 6:00 p.m. - Maplewood Community Center, 2100 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood, MN 55109.
Both public hearings had a virtual option to participate in addition to the in-person locations noted above.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority approval and adoption is required for the 2024-25 RCRRA proposed budget and the 2024 RCRRA proposed tax levy. The amounts approved with this action are reflected in the 2024-25 proposed budget as presented to the Ramsey County Board.
Last Previous Action
On September 26, 2023, the Ramsey County Regional Authority approved setting the proposed maximum levy of $34,167,111 (Resolution R2023-011).
On September 19, 2023, the Ramsey County Board held a Public Hearing on the 2024-25 proposed biennial budget and 2024 tax levy.
On September 12, 2023, the Budget committee of the Whole reviewed the Economic Growth and Community Investment Service Team’s proposed budgets including the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority.
On August 22, 2023, the County Manager presented the proposed 2024-25 biennial budget to the Board of County Commissioners.
Attachments
2024-25 Budget Addenda - Regional Rail Authority