DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Accept Grant Funds From Minnesota Department Of Health For Response Sustainability Grant, Execute Grant Agreement, Add 1.0 Grant-Funded Full-Time Equivalent, And Amend 2024 Public Health Budget
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize acceptance of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Response Sustainability grant funds, execution of grant agreement, addition of 1.0 grant-funded full-time equivalent (FTE) for Emergency Preparedness Specialist position, and amendment to 2024 Public Health Budget.
SUMMARY
The Dakota County Board of Commissioners acts as the Community Health Board and is responsible for preventing disease and promoting and protecting the public health of Dakota County residents. Public Health provides programs and services that aim to create and sustain a healthy community for all in Dakota County. Per MDH, one of the foundational capabilities of any Public Health department is Emergency Preparedness and Response.
In 2023, the Minnesota State Legislature created ongoing and sustainable state funding through the legislative process to increase preparedness and response capacity and capability across all Public Health departments in Minnesota. Funding is to be administered by MDH and is allocated to local public health agencies through an annual formula-based grant. This grant aims to ensure that local Public Health is better prepared to respond to and recover from Public Health emergencies and to encourage cross-jurisdictional collaboration.
Public Health plans to utilize this grant to:
• Ensure workforce capacity to meet emergency preparedness and response priorities, including adding a 1.0 Emergency Preparedness Specialist position.
• Partner and train with other teams and departments internally to ensure continued readiness to respond to emergencies.
• Work with community partners and cities to ensure strong collaboration and situational awareness in emergency planning and preparedness.
• Conduct a health equity-focused assessment of existing emergency plans, policies, and activities and address any identified gaps.
The current funding term is July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2027, with the allocation amount of $299,820.53 for July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The current agreement is for 3.5 years with a new funding letter including the allocation amount distributed each fiscal year.
OUTCOMES
• Increase staffing capacity to plan for and prepare for public health emergencies.
• Work collaboratively and offer training with other jurisdictions and disciplines to develop exercise plans to better prepare Dakota County for emergencies.
• Ensure all plans and responses encompass the needs of all Dakota County residents with healthy equity at the center of the work.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to accept MDH Response Sustainability grant funds in the amount of $299,820.53 for the first year of the term, execute the grant agreement, add a 1.0 grant-funded FTE for an Emergency Preparedness Specialist position, and amend the 2024 Public Health Budget.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
There is a $0 net County Cost anticipated as a result of this action. The 2024 Public Health Budget is requested to be amended to add the anticipated grant funds and will include the remaining funds in the future Public Health budgets. Included in this request is funding for a new 1.0 FTE. This position is contingent upon the availability of grant funding. Unspent budget will be requested for carryover to the next budget year.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☒ Amendment Requested ☒ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners acts as the Community Health Board and has the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County Residents; and
WHEREAS, Public Health provides programs and services that aim to create and sustain a healthy community for all in Dakota County; and
WHEREAS, per the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), one of the foundational capabilities of any Public Health department is Emergency Preparedness and Response; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, the Minnesota State Legislature created ongoing and sustainable state funding through the legislative process to increase preparedness and response capacity and capability across all Public Health departments in Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, funding is to be administered by MDH and is allocated to local public health agencies through an annual formula-based grant; and
WHEREAS, this grant aims to ensure that local Public Health is better prepared to respond to and recover from Public Health emergencies and to encourage cross-jurisdictional collaboration; and
WHEREAS, Public Health plans to utilize this grant to:
• Ensure workforce capacity to meet emergency preparedness and response priorities including adding a 1.0 Emergency Preparedness Specialist position
• Partner and train with other teams and departments to ensure continued readiness to respond to emergencies
• Work with community partners and cities to ensure strong collaboration and situational awareness in emergency planning and preparedness
• Conduct a health equity focused assessment of existing emergency plans, policies and activities and address any identified gaps
; and
WHEREAS, the current funding term is July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2027, with the allocation amount of $299,820.53 for July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, and the current agreement is for 3.5 years with a new funding letter including allocation amount distributed each fiscal year.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to accept the grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for the Emergency Preparedness Response Sustainability grant in the amount of $299,820.53 for the term July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute the grant agreement for the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2027, and accept future annual allocations for the grant term, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That unless the grant program requirements change, the Community Services Director is hereby authorized to amend the grant to extend the grant term up to two years after initial expiration date, accept additional grant funds, and continue grant-funded full-time equivalents, consistent with County contracting policies, and inclusion of grant funds in future yearly Recommended and Approved Budgets, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the 2024 Public Health budget is hereby amended as follows:
|
Revenue |
|
MDH Grant Revenue |
$299,821 |
|
Fund Balance (for Indirect costs) |
$-29,981 |
|
Total Revenue |
$269,840 |
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
New Staff Costs |
$ 89,717 |
|
Program Expenses |
$180,123 |
|
Total Expenses |
$269,840 |
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Coral Ripplinger
Author: Lia Roberts