Ramsey County commissioners voted to approve a preliminary budget figure following a series of department budget presentations and extended discussion about levy limits, exemptions and carryover funds.

The board approved a preliminary levy-based budget number during the meeting’s budget session; the motion recorded in the transcript used the figure "$17,000,002.86" while earlier calculations in the meeting referenced a related computed figure of "$17,286,008.45." The motion passed by voice vote; a roll-call tally was not recorded in the transcript.

The vote came after separate budget presentations from several county offices. Daniel, the county’s state’s attorney, told commissioners his office budget “is almost entirely made up of salaries” and proposed step increases and cost-of-living adjustments for himself and his staff while trimming modest amounts from office supplies and miscellaneous dues. Shauna Middleton, introduced as the new library director, described her department’s budget as coming in under the 3% guideline and highlighted foundation support used recently for HVAC work and other projects.

Sheriff Brian outlined his department’s budget changes, saying the office included a 3% cost-of-living adjustment and step increases and that insurance and overtime estimates were increased to reflect usage and rising costs. A county roads presenter reviewed multiple highway and road funds and described a significant construction increase tied to an overlay project on Ramsey County 3 (a multi‑million-dollar project he said could total about $2.4 million, with roughly $1 million eligible for Federal Highway aid). He also described proposed wage adjustments for operators and projected savings tied to staffing shifts and retirements.

Commissioners and staff spent substantial time discussing how the county must compute the levy cap and which items are excluded from the 3% limit (for example, certain special districts or statutorily exempt levies). County staff explained the allowable levy calculation methods (base-year and adjusted-year calculations, plus a three-year average option) and emphasized that the board must select the greater calculation to set the formal cap. Commissioners also discussed using reserve and carryover funds to smooth multi-year spending pressures such as large road overlays and equipment replacement cycles.

Several funding sources and line items were noted during discussion: projected federal aid in the road fund, a possible prairie-dog fund deposit in a future year, and grant-dependent capital line items. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized prioritizing employee wages and retention over external grant awards, with multiple speakers urging the board to “take care of the people that work for us” before increasing outside contributions.

The preliminary number approved is not the final budget. County staff indicated additional budget items were still pending and that valuations, new growth figures and exemptions will affect final levy calculations. The board set a schedule for the public hearing on the budget (noted in the meeting as the second week in September, with a public hearing referenced for Sept. 16) and planned further adjustments before final adoption.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve preliminary budget figure (voice vote) — Motion carried; no roll-call tally provided in the transcript.

The meeting closed after the budget motion passed and commissioners discussed next steps for refining the budget and holding the public hearing.