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Commission signs township fund balance certification to qualify townships for flexible transportation funds
Summary
Ramsey County commissioners approved certifying township bank balances and mill levies to confirm eligibility for the state's flexible transportation township direct distribution, which requires at least 18 mills and a year-end general fund balance under $100,000.
County staff asked the commission to sign a township fund-balance certification required by the state to verify which townships qualify for the flexible transportation township direct distribution.
The clerk explained the state requested December 31 general‑fund balances for townships that levy at least 18 mills; the statute and related guidance mean eligible townships must both levy 18 mills and have year-end general‑fund balances of less than $100,000.
"This is telling the state what those townships have in their checkbook at December," the clerk said, adding that eligibility will be automatic for townships that meet the criteria and that the county will send the information to the state. Staff noted one township (Clingstrup Township) is under 18 mills and therefore does not qualify until it reaches the threshold.
Staff also said the county is collecting two-year road certifications at the same time and that the county will reconcile road miles maintained with funding eligibility. Commissioners discussed that townships sometimes delay raising mills to conserve funds but that not meeting the 18‑mill threshold could cost them access to the flexible transportation funds in 2027. The commission moved to sign the certification and approved it by voice vote.
Staff said payments to eligible townships should begin in the first quarter, provided the certification and road-mile reports are submitted.
