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Ramsey County raises sheriff's security-detail fee by $10 an hour for event staffing
Summary
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners on July 1 approved a $10-per-hour increase to the sheriff's security service fee, shifting the hourly rate to about $110 for non-emergency event details; county staff will provide a cost breakdown and liability analysis before the next budget cycle.
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners voted July 1 to increase the hourly rate charged for security services provided by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, approving a roughly $10-per-hour raise that moves the fee to about $110 per hour for non-emergency event details.
The change, described by under sheriff Kyle Mestad as a rate for services "above and beyond the typical level of service," applies to optional assignments such as college graduations, city-sponsored festivals and other events where organizers request deputy coverage. Mestad said the fees are intended to recoup overtime and related costs when deputies staff extra shifts for outside entities.
Why it matters: the fee affects municipalities, non-profit event organizers and private employers who contract Ramsey County deputies for site security. Commissioners said they want a clearer public-facing schedule, comparisons with neighboring counties and an accounting of how much of the fee covers liability costs.
Under sheriff Kyle Mestad said the detail rate covers events that go beyond contracted 911 and court services and that emergency response calls will not be billed to residents or cities. "This item here will, in part, raise what we call security service fees that are provided by the sheriff's office," he told the board. He added that for emergency 911 response "we're not gonna bill them for that." Mestad gave examples including work at Aldridge Arena and the Shoreview Community Center.
Board members asked how staffing for paid details is organized, whether assignments are drawn from deputies' regular shifts or created as overtime, and how liability is covered. Mestad said deputies typically sign up for details and that many of the assignments are overtime shifts; he said the proposed rate increase is intended to account for those costs. Commissioners also raised employee work-life balance and said a planned staffing study of the sheriff's department will help address scheduling and overtime concerns.
On liability, Mestad said county tort-liability statutes govern responsibility; commissioners asked county risk management and legal staff to review whether the fee appropriately contributes to liability costs. Commissioner McGuire and others requested a breakdown showing what portion of the hourly rate pays for wages, overtime premium, benefits and liability contribution.
The board also asked for a simple guidance sheet for community event organizers that shows typical staffing scenarios (small event, medium festival, parade) and the kinds of factors that increase staffing needs: alcohol service, event size, vehicle access and whether the event already has private security. Commissioners asked staff to return with a higher-level summary and comparative market data showing how Ramsey's proposed rate aligns with other metro counties; Kyle Mestad told the board the county would be "right in the middle" of the regional range.
The board approved the fee schedule by roll call: Moran 'Aye; Jeong 'Aye; Jevan Singh 'Aye; McGuire 'Aye; McMurtry 'Aye; Miller 'Aye; Ortega 'Aye.
What comes next: staff said they will provide a cost breakdown and additional guidance for event organizers, and they will continue conversations with risk management and the county attorney ahead of 2027 budget hearings when fee schedules will be revisited.
