Sponsor: Sheriff's Office; Office of Safety and Justice
Title
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Staffing Study Recommendations for the Adult Detention Center and Request for Personnel Complement Increase
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Recommendation
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1. Approve an increase in the personnel complement of the Adult Detention Center of the Sheriff’s Office by 23.0 Full-Time Equivalent Correctional Officers.
2. Approve an increase in the personnel complement of the Adult Detention Center of the Sheriff’s Office by 1.0 Full-Time Equivalent Community Service Officer.
3. Approve an increase in the personnel complement of the Adult Detention Center of the Sheriff’s Office by 8.0 Full-Time Equivalent Unfunded Correctional Officers.
4. Authorize the County Manager to transfer up to $1 million from the General Contingency Account to the Sheriff’s Office 2026 operating budget for the Adult Detention Center.
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Background and Rationale
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In 2025, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners allocated funds to the Office of Safety & Justice to conduct a comprehensive Staffing Study of the Sheriff’s Office. The county engaged Matrix Consulting Group to complete the work. The assessment evaluated staffing levels, organizational structure, deployment practices, and overtime utilization of the Sheriff’s Office. With the Staffing Study now complete, its findings and recommendations are being presented to the county board in phases, beginning with the Adult Detention Center (ADC).
The County Manager and Sheriff have identified that the ADC recommendations warrant priority because they address immediate operational needs, ongoing overtime issues, and compliance requirements. In total, the Staffing Study recommended adding a total of 33.0 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions at the ADC, including Correctional Officers, supervisors, and managers.
The Sheriff’s Office is seeking approval for the highest priority positions within the ADC recommendations, including: (1) 23.0 FTE Correctional Officers; (2) 1.0 FTE Community Service Officer; and (3) 8.0 unfunded FTEs Correctional Officers for a total cost in 2026 of $1 million, including personnel and equipment costs such as body-worn cameras. The request includes unfunded FTEs to allow for flexibility to hire and stay ahead of attrition, reduce overtime costs, and ensure stable staffing models while staying within the budget.
This request aligns with the recommended 8-hour staffing model for the ADC and meets state required staffing levels, as set by the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC), without significant reliance on overtime.
The requested investment in ADC staffing will:
• Strengthen recruitment, retention, and long-term workforce sustainability.
• Support improved resident outcomes through more consistent supervision and service delivery.
• Improve the safety and security of residents, staff, and visitors.
• Reduce financial pressures by decreasing overtime expenditures.
• Lower operational risk and potential liability.
This investment, along with the Project Bridge partnership with Community Corrections, will significantly relieve pressures at ADC. Project Bridge started in April 2025 and was fully implemented by September 2025. From September through the first six months of 2026, the Correctional Facility has housed an average daily population of 59 residents from the ADC. As Project Bridge continues, a housing unit (pod) closure at the ADC may be achieved.
In 2025, the ADC incurred $2,685,176 in overtime costs, accounting for approximately 65% of all Sheriff’s Office overtime expenditures. Overtime costs in 2026 are projected to remain at similar levels. Adding permanent correctional staff will reduce reliance on overtime.
In addition to the reduction in overtime, the Sheriff has agreed to:
• Reduce overtime costs by approximately $900,000 to $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2026, with additional reductions anticipated in 2027 and beyond as staffing levels stabilize.
• Deactivate a housing unit (pod) at the ADC as quickly as possible.
• Meet regularly with the Audit Chair and county leadership to review overtime usage and overall personnel forecasts.
Approval of this request addresses the most critical staffing needs, supports compliance with state staffing requirements, enhances safety, reduces reliance on overtime, and provides better resident outcomes.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
This action strengthens the quality of services provided to individuals who have become involved in the justice system. Nationally and locally, people from racially and ethnically diverse communities are disproportionately represented in the justice system. Many individuals involved in the justice system also have behavioral health concerns that require coordinated assessment, treatment, and support. The approval of this action provides staffing resources to strengthen services provided to residents, many of whom have been historically overrepresented in the justice system.
Community Participation Level and Impact
This is an administrative action. As a result, there was no community engagement with this board action.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The estimated cost associated with this action is $1 million in 2026, including personnel and equipment costs (i.e., body cameras, etc.). Funding for the 32 FTEs in 2026 is being requested from the General Contingency Account, which has sufficient funding. In 2027, this action will be reflected in the supplemental budget as an addendum and considered as part of the supplemental budget process. This action will also help to reduce overtime costs, including an estimated $900,000 to $1 million in overtime savings during the fourth quarter of 2026. This reduction results in a smaller deficit in overtime costs.
Last Previous Action
On December 3, 2024, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners were provided with an update regarding the Ramsey County Sheriff Operational Staffing Study Proposal.
Attachments
1. General Contingent Account Status Report