Sponsor: Emergency Management & Homeland Security
Title
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Declaration of Local State of Emergency Due to City of Saint Paul Digital Security Incident
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Recommendation
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1. Under the authority given in Minnesota Statutes 12.29, declare Ramsey County to be in a Local State of Emergency effective July 29, 2025, due to the ongoing and expected response to the digital security incident in the city of Saint Paul.
2. Authorize the County Manager to declare that this Local State of Emergency will end at such time as the County Manager determines, acting on the advice of the Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and subject matter experts. The County Manger must notify the Chair of the Ramsey County Board within 24 hours that it is determined that the State of Emergency is no longer warranted.
3. Authorize the County Manager and Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to coordinate such actions and request such state and/or federal assistance as needed to protect lives and public and private property in Ramsey County and the recovery of the county to the extent practicable and allowed by law, ordinance, and Charter.
4. Direct the Chief Clerk to give prompt and general publicity of the declaration and any termination of the Local State of Emergency and that it be filed promptly by the Chief Clerk.
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Background and Rationale
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The city of Saint Paul declared a state of Local Emergency on July 29, 2025, as a result of a digital security incident in the city of Saint Paul after the city’s cybersecurity protection systems detected suspicious activity on the city’s network and determined the suspicious activity was a digital attack (“the Digital Security Incident”). Currently, Ramsey County’s information systems remain unaffected by the Digital Security Incident. Ramsey County Board Chair Rafael Ortega declared a Local State of Emergency effective for 72 hours beginning August 2, 2025. Pursuant to Minnesota Statute 12.29, the county declares a Local State of Emergency to take immediate action in support of the city of Saint Paul. This declaration is critical in order to support Ramsey County’s ability to act swiftly to protect public services and strengthen recovery efforts.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Cybersecurity risks require protective measures that affect all residents. However, vulnerable communities, particularly communities of color, are likely to face disproportionate impacts due to existing systemic inequities. Timely and proactive action is essential to prevent these disparities from widening and to ensure an equitable response that protects those most at risk.
Community Participation Level and Impact
There is no community engagement associated with this request for board action. The county is in active communication with its local partners to coordinate.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Mitigating this Digital Security Incident will have significant expense to Ramsey County. However, no estimates are available at this time.
Last Previous Action
The Chair of the Ramsey County Board declared a Local State of Emergency valid for a period of 72 hours effective 11:00 a.m. August 2, 2025, through 11:00 a.m. August 5, 2025, pursuant to Minnesota Statute 12.29.
Attachments
1. Emergency Declaration of the City of Saint Paul
2. Ramsey County Local State Emergency Declaration