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--VERSION 3/14/2025-- <br />Statutory Change Expanding Use of Ramsey County <br />Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) <br />SF 2521 (Hawj) HF 2349 (Lee) <br />Small businesses are the backbone of Ramsey County. It’s critical to our region that we continue to <br />invest in our business community in the wake of the pandemic. Ramsey County seeks to amend the <br />HRA statutory language to expand authority to better support diversifying industries, communities, <br />and emerging entrepreneurs as best as possible. <br />FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS <br />Why is Ramsey County not just revising its Housing and Redevelopment Authority to include business <br />programming as an allowable use? Why is establishment of an economic development authority included in <br />this legislation? <br />A: Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority is established under state statute. The state statute is <br />narrowly worded to the support and funding of affordable housing and redevelopment projects and programs. <br />Small business programming is defined as allowable uses with economic development authorities. Ramsey <br />County does not currently have an economic development authority. Based on legal guidance, the proposed <br />legislation expands the powers of the Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority through the <br />establishment of an economic development authority. <br />Will this legislative change result in a new property tax to Ramsey County property owners? <br />A: No. This legislative change has no change on property taxes. This legislative change simply expands the list <br />of eligible activities in which Ramsey County’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy is used. The text <br />change would additionally add programming for entrepreneurs and small businesses as an eligible use for the <br />Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy. <br />What is the county seeking from Ramsey County cities? If the legislation is successful, what is required from <br />Ramsey County cities? <br />A: The County does not require approval from Ramsey County cities for this proposed legislation. The County <br />does however seek support from our cities for this legislation. <br />If the legislation is successful, cities within the existing Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority <br />area of operation will have the choice whether to: <br />•Opt-in: A city that chooses to opt-in will receive the greatest flexibility of eligible programming. In <br />addition to the current portfolio of affordable housing and redevelopment programing, business <br />programing will be provided. City Councils will be asked to pass resolutions ‘opting-in’ by June <br />2025. With the first year of HRA levy funded business programming occurring in 2026. <br />•Opt-out: A city that chooses to opt-out will continue to receive the current portfolio of affordable <br />housing and redevelopment programing. <br />The City of North Saint Paul is not to be a part of the Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment <br />Authority Area of Operation. There is no change to North Saint Paul as a result of this legislation. <br />ITEM O8E