Benton County Community Health Board approves public-health mutual aid agreement; staff report on tobacco compliance and grant application

The Benton County Community Health Board approved a Central Region Public Health Mutual Aid Agreement to formalize resource-sharing of personnel, training and supplies among regional public-health agencies during emergencies.

Jacqueline, the county public-health lead, introduced the proposal and asked the board to consider formalizing mutual aid after regional directors noted there was not a formal public-health mutual aid agreement covering the county's public-health region. Julie Willman, the county's public-health emergency-preparedness coordinator, explained the purpose: to share specialized staff (such as preparedness coordinators), supplies and technical expertise during outbreaks, natural disasters or other public-health emergencies. Willman said mutual aid improves surge capacity, reduces duplication of effort, and helps maintain equity of response for vulnerable populations. The board voted in favor of the agreement on a voice vote.

On prevention work, Substance Use Prevention Coordinator Kayla Roloffs reported the department completed "congratulate and educate" tobacco compliance checks at Benton County's 10 licensed tobacco retailers. The checks use a youth (ages 17-20) purchaser for educational visits; results are shared with retailers and with DHS and the sheriff's office. Roloffs said eight stores passed and two failed during this round; the county provides education and retailer handouts after a failed educational check. She noted last year two retailers had price promotions and flavored products concerns that the sheriff's office followed up on; this year those issues were resolved.

Jacqueline asked for permission to submit a separate federal grant application aimed at community-driven approaches to reduce commercial tobacco use. The board approved staff moving forward with a grant application that requests $100,000 to $200,000 annually for up to three years, with no local match required; the contract would start in 2026 if awarded.

Public-health staff also reminded the board that WIC operations were continuing normally despite a partial federal shutdown at the time of the meeting, per Minnesota Department of Health communications.

The board approved the mutual aid agreement and authorized the tobacco grant application and related consent items during the Community Health Board segment of the meeting.