Scott County staff outline 2026 legislative wins, warn of looming long‑term services cost shifts

County staff delivered a detailed recap of the 2026 Minnesota legislative session, telling commissioners which county priorities advanced, which were deferred and which items pose continuing budget risk.

Jake Gruing, the county’s transformation enterprise services director, framed the presentation by reminding the board that counties are the administrative arms of state and federal programs and that much of the county’s work reflects state mandates. "Counties are the administrative arms of the state and federal government and the state and the federal government pass laws. They put mandates down onto counties and we are required to carry out those mandates," Jake said.

Perry Molron outlined specific outcomes. He said the legislature created a human services systems modernization package totaling roughly $90 million over two biennia that includes $10 million earmarked for county‑specific projects and establishes advisory and oversight bodies to guide spending. Perry also said a one‑time administrative allocation of about $10.7 million was made to offset SNAP/Medicaid administrative costs; county staff estimated Scott County’s share of that allocation at roughly $200,000, while cautioning that the county still faces an estimated $600,000 net administrative increase when benefit cost‑share shifts are included.

Perry reported a one‑time $15 million appropriation to support implementation of the Minnesota African‑American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act, to be distributed to counties using the existing child protection formula; however, he said funding for statewide case‑review functions was deferred to 2027. He and commissioners repeatedly highlighted a long‑term services and supports (LTSS) cost‑shift issue that could impose significant county costs (figures referenced in discussion totaled roughly $300 million statewide) if identified savings are not accepted or credited before an August 1, 2027 activation date.

Other outcomes discussed included partial successes on public safety communications (an 800‑MHz radio system study/work group), some bonding dollars in the regional package but no award for the county’s top bonding priority (the Louisville segment of the Miriam Junction Trail), and a set of pension and tax conformity measures with some one‑time property tax relief in the package.

Commissioners urged continued engagement with legislators and stressed the importance of educating incoming lawmakers about county responsibilities and the fiscal impacts of state mandates. County staff said they will continue to track implementation details, advisory council appointments and distribution mechanics for appropriations that affect county budgets.

What’s next: staff expect more detailed fiscal figures from association partners shortly and recommended continued county advocacy ahead of the 2027 session, especially to address potential LTSS cost shifts.