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Cook County reports reinstated COVID vaccine implementation funds; plans cross‑agency resource directory website
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Summary
Board learned June 17 that roughly $30,000 of the county’s COVID vaccine implementation grant remained after a temporary rescission and reinstatement; staff plan to use available funds to develop a cross‑agency resource directory website and will align contracts with county attorney before awarding work.
Cook County staff told the Public Health and Human Services Board on June 17 that a COVID vaccine implementation grant, briefly rescinded statewide then reinstated, left roughly $30,000 of the county’s allocation available for pandemic recovery activities, and staff described a plan to use the funds for a cross‑agency community resource directory website.
Plaman Dimitrov, the county’s fiscal supervisor, said about $30,000 of the county’s allocation remained unspent after the federal CDC funds passed through the state and some local partners declined allocations following the temporary rescission. "We had about roughly about 30,000 of our allocation that was left to spend," Dimitrov told the board.
Grace (public health staff) described a proposed project with Grand Portage Health Services, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and other partners to build a resource directory website that helps residents find local health‑related resources. The project would use the reinstated funds as a pandemic recovery activity approved by the Minnesota Department of Health and would include website development, branding and outreach costs.
Board members asked practical questions about timing and procurement. Staff said an RFP for website development is already out with a July deadline for bids; staff also said they will coordinate with the county attorney to ensure contract language protects the county in case the grant funding changes again. "We want to make sure that we can spend it responsibly and not find ourselves in a position where it's rescinded again," Grace said.
No formal vote was required; staff sought direction and confirmed they will follow procurement rules and work with legal counsel before committing funds. Staff said they will return bids to the board and include funding recommendations as part of normal procurement and grant‑reporting procedures.
The board also heard that local partners have accepted or declined portions of the reinstated funds, leaving additional allocation available to counties that will spend it. Commissioners asked how fast the county could obligate the funds; staff emphasized careful contracting and that the project qualifies as a recovery activity under current guidance from the state grant manager.
The county will use the RFP process to select a vendor and then bring contracts and spending plans back through standard review channels, including county attorney review and the board’s approval process as required.
