Sponsor: Community & Economic Development
Title
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Certification of the Maximum Tax Levy for the Ramsey County Housing & Redevelopment Authority
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Recommendation
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Approve the proposed maximum tax levy to finance the 2026 Ramsey County Housing & Redevelopment Authority Budget in the amount of $14,266,482.
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Background and Rationale
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Minnesota Statutes 275.065 requires the Ramsey County Housing & Redevelopment Authority (RCHRA), as a special taxing district, to certify a proposed maximum tax levy to the County Auditor by September 30, 2025.
An important provision of the proposed property taxes law is that the approved tax levy for the 2026 RCHRA budget cannot be more than the proposed maximum tax levy certified by the RCHRA.
The RCHRA will approve the 2026 Budget and Property Tax Levy in December 2025.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The 2026-27 RCHRA proposed budget and tax levy allows the RCHRA to implement eligible strategies from Ramsey County’s Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan (ECI Plan) by investing in projects and programs that specifically aim to reduce racial disparities and grow intergenerational wealth. Strategies include increasing the supply of deeply affordable rental housing units and expanding pathways to homeownership.
Ramsey County has large racial disparities between racially and ethnically diverse communities and white residents in accessing housing and homeownership. These disparities include a disproportionate number of African American and American Indian residents experiencing homelessness compared to white residents. Housing data demonstrates that racially and ethnically diverse communities are far more likely to be cost-burdened by hosting costs compared to white residents. The data is reflective of a legacy of racially exclusive housing practices such as redlining and racially restrictive covenants. To undo these historical and lasting inequities, inclusive investment is needed in communities that have experienced historic wealth extraction.
Community Participation Level and Impact
On this specific action, the community participation levy is to inform. This is one action in the larger County process of proposing and approving its budget. The process has invoiced information and consulting through community budget conversations, Board presentations, and public hearings held in 2025 and will continue through 2026.
Two public hearings are incorporated in the budget process and scheduled for the public to comment on the 2026-2027 proposed budget. The public hearings are scheduled for:
• Tuesday, September 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. - Ramsey County Courthouse, Council Chambers - 15 West Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55102
• Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. - Ramsey County Courthouse, Council Chambers - 15 West Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55102
Information on the 2026-2027 proposed budget is available at:
<https://www.ramseycounty.us/your-government/budget-finance>
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The 2026 proposed levy for the RCHRA is $14,266,482, which is an increase of $681,817 or 5.02% from the 2025 levy of $13,584,665.
Last Previous Action
On September 18, 2025, the Economic Growth and Community Investment Service Team presented the Ramsey County Housing & Redevelopment Authority 2026-27 budget to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners.
On September 2, 2025, the County Manager presented the 2026-27 proposed biennial budget to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners.
Attachments
None.