Sponsor: Sheriff's Office
Title
title
2025 Budget Adjustment for the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office
end
Recommendation
recommendation
1. Authorize the County Manager to transfer up to $1,500,000 from the 2025 General Contingent Account to the Sheriff’s Office 2025 operating budget for increased overtime costs associated with the Adult Detention Center and other personnel services deficits.
2. Authorize the County Manager to transfer up to $2,400,000 from the general fund fund balance to the Sheriff’s Office 2025 operating budget for increased overtime costs associated with the Adult Detention Center.
end
Background and Rationale
body
In 2025, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff’s Office) is projected to exceed available appropriations by up to $3.9 million or approximately 5% of total expenditures, primarily due to increased overtime costs associated with the Adult Detention Center (ADC) and other personnel services deficits related to staffing. This is a one-time authorization for a transfer of funds in 2025 and does not increase the Sheriff’s Office budget in future years.
During 2025, the Sheriff’s Office, Office of Safety & Justice, and Finance met to review spending and monitor the budget, including developing quarterly year-end projections. Throughout the year, the Sheriff’s Office worked toward reducing the amount that would be needed at year end by reducing select line-item spending, leveraging grants and other revenue sources, and engaging in other efforts to reduce overall spending.
Throughout 2025, the ADC population has been high with an expected 2025 average daily population of approximately 400. This has been lower in recent months due to the Project Bridge partnership with Community Corrections, who have taken up to 70 inmates to assist in managing the population at ADC but still remains high. Even with this partnership, in 2025, the ADC is projected to spend nearly $3 million in overtime, which accounts for 65% of all projected overtime within the Sheriff’s Office. The overtime in the ADC is a result of ensuring compliance with the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) staffing requirements and implementation of increased county-wide paid leave policies. In 2023, the DOC formally established the Office of Inspector General (OIG), which centralized oversight and compliance functions statewide. In turn, this has improved inspections and alignment with state standards, leading to a renewed focus on staffing requirements and well-being of individuals in-custody. In addition to the ADC overtime costs, the Sheriff’s Office has overtime and some additional personnel costs that are above budget throughout the office. Together, these account for the needed $3.9 million in additional funding in 2025.
To address long term staffing needs and reduce reliance on overtime, a staffing study is in progress and being led by Safety & Justice leadership. This study will provide an objective and comprehensive operational study of the Sheriff’s Office, including operations, staffing needs, and organizational structures. This work will also include a staffing needs assessment of the Adult Detention Center and will inform the 2027 budget.
This action requests the transfer of up to $3.9 million in contingent account funds and uncommitted General Fund fund balance in 2025 to the Sheriff’s Office. The requested transfer is an up to amount to ensure adequate authority exists to cover all outstanding costs and close the books for the county for budget year 2025.
end
County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Effective and transparent use of taxpayer dollars is critical to ensuring trust, accountability, and transparency for Ramsey County and the Sheriff’s Office. Careful consideration of use of public funds, particularly the general tax levy, is also critical to building trust with historically marginalized communities.
Community Participation Level and Impact
For this 2025 budget adjustment, the community participation level is to inform. However, there have been many opportunities for community to share input on the county’s budget during every biennial budget development process. Community input on spending priorities and results are also always welcomed and encouraged.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
For reference, the 2025 approved levy, before approved negotiated bargaining increases, was $54.88 million. The budgeted amount of overtime for levy-funded services was $1.08 million. Funding is available in the 2025 General Contingent Account and the unrestricted general fund fund balance. This action will reduce the county reserves; however, the county will remain in compliance with its fund balance policy.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. General Contingent Account Status Report