Sponsor: Human Resources
Title
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Proposed Ramsey County Commissioner’s Salary Ordinance for 2027 - Waive First Reading and Set Public Hearing Date
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Recommendation
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1. Waive the First Reading of the proposed Ramsey County Commissioner’s Salary Ordinance for 2027.
2. Set the Public Hearing date of June 16, 2026 at 9 a.m. or as soon as possible thereafter, in the Council Chambers, third floor of Ramsey County Courthouse - 15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102 to afford the public an opportunity to comment on 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 general wage increase 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 the bargained cost of living adjustment (COLA) for 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 bargained COLA 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 2027 was provided to each commissioner prior to its introduction on May 26, 2026. Therefore, the first 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. A notification of the public hearing, which includes the draft ordinance will be publicized in advance of the public hearing.
This action sets the date of the Public Hearing as June 16, 2026 at 9 a.m., or as soon thereafter as possible, in the Council Chambers. Persons who intend to testify are encouraged to sign up online at ramseycountymn.gov/chiefclerk prior to June 16, 2026. If in-person testimony is not feasible, comments may alternatively be provided via the following methods:
• Email: chiefclerk@ramseycountymn.gov <mailto:chiefclerk@ramseycountymn.gov>
• Written letter to: Chief Clerk, 15 West Kellogg Blvd, 250 Courthouse, Saint Paul, MN 55102
The entire proposed Ordinance can be found on Ramsey County’s website https://www.ramseycountymn.gov/your-government/ordinances-regulations
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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 this Request for Board 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 be set at a rate that matches the bargained 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 July 1, 2025, the Ramsey County Board adopted the Ramsey County Commissioners’ Salary Ordinance for 2026 (Ordinance Resolution B2025-138).
Attachments
1. Proposed Salary Ordinance
2. 2026 Metro Area Comparisons
3. Public Hearing Notice
4. Proposed Schedule of Events