Mayor Carter in winter in front of cathedral
Mayor Carter in winter in front of cathedral

Mayor Melvin Carter

Melvin Carter is the 46th, and first African-American mayor of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota’s Capital City.

A fifth-generation Saint Paul resident, Mayor Carter leads with an unapologetic equity agenda. Since taking office in 2018, his accomplishments include raising the city’s minimum wage to $15/hour; tripling free programs in rec centers; eliminating late fines in public libraries; reestablishing an Affordable Housing Trust Fund; expanding immigrant & refugee support resources, and launching an Office of Financial Empowerment. One signature initiative is CollegeBound Saint Paul, Mayor Carter’s plan to start every child born in the city with a $50 College Savings Account, starting January 1, 2020.

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The

City Council

As the legislative body, the City Council is responsible for setting City policy through ordinances and resolutions. The Council also has sole responsibility for adopting the City’s budget. The Council legislates by passing Ordinances which become City laws. The Council also makes performance auditing decisions and monitors the operation and performance of city agencies and holds regular oversight hearings on city departments to determine how programs are working and whether budgeted funds are being spent well. In its decision-making roles, the City Council actively involves the public through its weekly public meetings.

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Latest News

RELEASE: City of Saint Paul welcomes ‘Youth on Boards’ members to several City boards and commissions 

11/20/2024 Parks & Recreation

The City of Saint Paul today announced the addition of 19 new youth members to several City boards and commissions as part of the Youth on Boards initiative.

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2025-2029 Consolidated Plan Survey Now Open

11/18/2024 Planning & Economic Development

Help the City of Saint Paul identify priorities for how to use federal HUD funds to address housing and economic development needs.

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RELEASE: Saint Paul’s 2025 Park Permit Lottery to Open Dec. 2

11/13/2024 Parks & Recreation

Saint Paul residents and businesses may enter the lottery online or over the phone Dec. 2-18, 2024, with permits being issued beginning on Jan. 2, 2025 to lottery entrants.   

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Mayor Carter Announces Nearly $40 Million of Medical Debt Abolished for 32,000 Saint Paul Residents

11/12/2024 Mayor's Office

The debt forgiveness is the first relief package of Mayor Carter’s Medical Debt Reset Initiative

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News Room

Last Edited: November 18, 2024