Partnership for Health to continue as two‑county entity; Clay County to remain fiscal host

Clay County public‑health leaders and commissioners told the board Tuesday that two member counties of the four‑county Partnership for Health have notified the group they intend to form separate public‑health entities beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Kathy of Clay County Public Health explained the change affects a Partnership for Health made up of Clay, Wilkin, Otter Tail and Becker counties. “Two of the counties have determined they are going to start their own public‑health entity,” she said; Clay County and Becker County will remain together under the Partnership for Health name.

Clay County will continue serving as fiscal manager for shared grants and will update the joint‑powers agreement and other governance documents to reflect a two‑county structure. Kathy said grant distribution will be recalculated using a population and social‑vulnerability‑index formula rather than an equal split; that approach, she said, was recommended to produce an equitable division based on service demand and population served.

Staff warned the board that the change will increase workload for remaining partners because fewer public‑health directors will share state meetings and administrative responsibilities. Commissioners and staff said they expect a smooth transition and are working with Becker County and state grant managers to finalize allocations and responsibilities.

Commissioner Ebinger said staff documentation and financial work have proceeded smoothly and expressed confidence in Clay County’s fiscal management; Commissioner Baer thanked staff for the reporting and urged continued cooperation among the four counties during the transition.