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Ramsey County staff outline transportation levies, uses and statutory limits
Summary
Public Works staff briefed the board on two dedicated transportation funding sources — a county transportation sales and use tax (up to 0.5%) and the Regional Railroad Authority levy — and described eligible uses, statutory limits and major ongoing costs such as Union Depot operations.
Public Works staff and county planners told the Ramsey County Board on Aug. 19 that the county relies on multiple dedicated levies for transit and transportation projects and detailed statutory constraints and project-eligibility steps.
Staff explained the County Transportation Sales and Use Tax is a voter-authorized local option that counties may levy up to 0.5% and that Ramsey County has used the full half-percent to fund transitways, pedestrian and bicycle projects, and other specified transportation capital projects. The board must identify specific eligible projects (via a public hearing and capital improvement program) before spending sales-tax proceeds on those items.
The presentation also described the Regional Railroad Authority (RRA) levy, authorized under Minnesota statute 398A (Ramsey County formed its RRA in 1987). RRA funds can be used to acquire railroad property, advance bus rapid transit and related infrastructure, and for railroad-related capital costs. Staff noted statutory limits: RRA levy funds may be used for up to 10% of capital funding for light- or commuter-rail projects (the remainder must come from other sources) and cannot be used for general maintenance or operating costs unrelated to eligible projects.
Staff outlined typical uses for the combined levies: multimodal planning and engineering staff, project development and construction engineering, property-management functions for Union Depot and ongoing operating costs (staff estimated Union Depot operating costs of about $10,000,000 per year). Brian Isaacson said staff apply lenses of economic competitiveness, climate equity and accessibility when programming levy dollars across the county.
