DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute A Contract For A Multimedia Public Awareness Campaign, Allocate $150,000 Of Opioid Settlement Funds, And Amend 2025 Public Health And 2025 Non-Departmental Budgets
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a contract for a multimedia public awareness campaign, allocation of $150,000 of opioid settlement funds, and amendment to the 2025 Public Health and 2025 Non-Departmental Budgets.
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, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County residents.
Minnesota was part of a multi-state lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors. Dakota County has received $5,401,004 to date and is expected to receive more than $16 million from the National Opioid Settlement Agreements for the purposes of opioid remediation activities or restitution.
The Dakota County Opioid Response Advisory Committee (ORAC) was established as a County Board appointed advisory committee in October 2023 and supports the development of a comprehensive and effective countywide response to the opioid crisis. It provides recommendations to the County Board on the use of Opioid Settlement funds for external projects and initiatives.
By Resolution No. 25-200 (April 22, 2025), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners adopted the 2025-2026 Strategic Plan from the ORAC, which includes a priority to increase community awareness by which Public Health and its internal communication partners create and promote culturally appropriate and stigma-reducing opioid messages to increase community awareness. This includes starting a paid communication campaign to increase opioid awareness and recruit help from the community in the effort of opioid awarenes...
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