Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Grants topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County staff brief board on community crime-prevention grants, staffing and partners
Summary
Undersheriff Kyle Mestad and Ramsey County staff briefed commissioners on two community crime-prevention grants not included in the 2026–27 operating budget. The grants cover two FTE positions previously authorized in 2024, run through the end of 2027, and involve community partners such as KOM, Urban Village and the Nava/Navaad peace program.
Undersheriff Kyle Mestad and Inspector Daryl Gillett told the board Ramsey County received two Department of Public Safety grants for community crime intervention and prevention that were not included in the 2026–27 operating budget. Mestad said, "These 2 grants were not included in the 2026–27 operating budget, which is why they're here today for approval," and explained the awards provide additional revenue to support programming and staffing.
Mestad and staff said the grants fund two FTE positions that the board previously approved in 2024 but kept vacant pending grant triggers. Mestad explained, "So it's additional revenue to the county... We would continue the delivery of community-based services and programming, charge to the grant." Commissioners asked about partner organizations (KOM, Urban Village), program evaluation and whether positions would be supplanting levy-funded staff; staff said evaluation components are handled in-house and the grants run through the end of 2027. Budget details discussed included an example line item of roughly $350,000 for a 1.0 FTE over a two-year grant period (salary, benefits and fringe) and $75,000 for programming in one grant; commissioners asked for clearer partner lists and evaluation documentation going forward.
