DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Grant Agreement And Accept Grant Funds From Minnesota Department Of Health For Local Public Health Grant And Foundational Public Health Responsibilities Grant
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of the grant agreement and acceptance of grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for Local Public Health Grant (LPHG) and Foundational Public Health Responsibilities Grant (FPHRG).
SUMMARY
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 375A.04, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is, and performs the duties and exercises the powers of a community health board under Minn. Stat. ch. 145A, and is required to govern and administer those functions as fully as other Dakota County functions, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County residents.
Minnesota’s public health system is described as a state and local partnership that has existed since the mid-1800s. This partnership, known as the community health services (CHS) system enables state and local government to combine resources to serve public health needs in an efficient, cost-effective way. In 1976, the Minnesota Legislature created Minn. Stat. §145A, the Minnesota Local Public Health Act, which identified six areas of responsibility that all local public health departments in Minnesota are required to provide. LPHG funds were developed and allocated to local public health to address the essential public health services which include assuring an adequate local public health infrastructure; promoting healthy communities and healthy behaviors; preventing the spread of infectious disease; protecting against environmental health hazards; preparing for and responding to disasters and assisting communities in recovery; and assuring the quality and accessibility of health services. The current LPHG supports 12.75 full-time equivalents (FTEs) of Public Health staff.
In 2023, Minnesota adopted a national framework, the Foundational Public Health Responsibilities, to address an aging public health system and to better align with national efforts to transform Minnesota’s public health system. The framework outlines five community-specific services (foundational areas) and eight foundational capabilities that all governmental public health systems must have, as where you live should not determine your level of health protection. During the 2023 session, the Minnesota Legislature allocated funds to local community health boards to fulfill foundational public health responsibilities. This ongoing, annual funding is also a legislative component of the LPHG used to specifically strengthen local and tribal public health departments. The current FPHRG supports 1.0 FTEs of Public Health staff.
Dakota County Public Health (DCPH) was awarded $1,281,472 for the LPHG from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, for essential public health services. DCPH was also awarded $145,707 for the FPHRG from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, to fulfill foundational public health responsibilities. The total grant allocation for January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, is $1,427,179. This stable, ongoing grant will receive annual allocations through December 31, 2029.
OUTCOMES
How much: Currently, LPHG and FPHRG funding covers approximately nine percent of Public Health’s total budget and supports all Public Health’s programs and services.
How well: Public Health has submitted all required LPHG and FPHRG documentation and invoices as directed.
Is anyone better off: LPHG and FPHRG funds will cover approximately nine percent of Public Health’s total budget which ultimately decreases levy funds needed for the budget. It also assures that Dakota County residents receive essential public health services.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to execute the grant agreement and accept the grant funds in the amount of $1,427,179, effective January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2029.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
There is a $0 net County cost anticipated as a result of this action. The grant award will be included in the 2025 County Manager’s Recommended Public Health Budget.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 375A.04, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is, and performs the duties and exercises the powers of a community health board under Minn. Stat. ch. 145A, and is required to govern and administer those functions as fully as other Dakota County functions, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County residents; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota’s public health system is described as a state and local partnership that has existed since the mid-1800s; and
WHEREAS, this partnership, known as the community health services (CHS) system enables state and local government to combine resources to serve public health needs in an efficient, cost-effective way; and
WHEREAS, in 1976, the Minnesota Legislature created Minn. Stat. §145A, the Minnesota Local Public Health Act, which identified six areas of responsibility that all local public health departments in Minnesota are required to provide; and
WHEREAS, Local Public Health Grant (LPHG) funds were developed and allocated to local public health to address the essential public health services which includes assuring an adequate local public health infrastructure; promoting healthy communities and healthy behaviors; preventing the spread of infectious disease; protecting against environmental health hazards; preparing for and responding to disasters and assisting communities in recovery; and assuring the quality and accessibility of health services; and
WHEREAS, the current LPHG supports 12.75 full-time equivalents (FTEs) of Public Health staff; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, Minnesota adopted a national framework, The Foundational Public Health Responsibilities, to address an aging public health system and to better align with national efforts to transform Minnesota’s public health system; and
WHEREAS, the framework outlines five community-specific services (foundational areas) and eight foundational capabilities that all governmental public health systems must have, as where you live should not determine your level of health protection; and
WHEREAS, during the 2023 session, the Minnesota Legislature allocated funds to local community health boards to fulfill foundational public health responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, this ongoing, annual funding is also a legislative component of the LPHG used to specifically strengthen local and tribal public health departments; and
WHEREAS, the current FPHRG supports 1.0 FTEs of Public Health staff; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County Public Health (DCPH) was awarded $1,281,472 for the LPHG from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, for essential public health services; and
WHEREAS, DCPH was also awarded $145,707 for the FPHRG from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, to fulfill foundational public health responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, the total grant allocation for January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, is $1,427,179; and
WHEREAS, this stable, ongoing grant will receive annual allocations through December 31, 2029.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Service Director to execute a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Health and accept the 2025 grant allocation of $1,427,179 ($1,281,472 for the Local Public Health Grant and $145,707 for Foundational Public Health Responsibilities Grant), and annual allocations thereafter, for the term of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029, 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.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
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: Coral Ripplinger