Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nicollet County creates single‑county Community Health Board effective Jan. 1, 2025
Summary
The board approved a resolution to form the Nicollet County Community Health Board effective Jan. 1, 2025, replacing the Brown Nicollet Community Health Board; staff said they will seek a delegation agreement with the Minnesota Department of Health and hold a public hearing Sept. 24 on related environmental health ordinances.
Nicollet County commissioners voted Aug. 27 to form a single‑county Nicollet County Community Health Board effective Jan. 1, 2025, replacing the existing Brown Nicollet Community Health Board.
Health and Human Services staff (Cassie) told commissioners that the county evaluated governance options and determined the single‑county structure would improve efficiency, environmental‑health coordination and focus on county‑licensed establishments. Staff said the Brown Nicollet board gave one year’s notice to the Minnesota Department of Health after the county’s September 2023 decision to pursue dissolution and that the new board will assume roles, responsibilities and authorities outlined in Minnesota Statute 145A (Local Public Health Act).
Staff also explained that the newly formed board requires appointment of a Community Health Services (CHS) administrator to act as the board’s agent for communications and statutory responsibilities (Minn. Stat. 145A.04). Cassie said the county is pursuing a delegation agreement with the Minnesota Department of Health to establish a single‑county environmental health program and will revise local ordinances governing food and beverage, lodging, pools, manufactured‑home parks and public‑health nuisance regulations; staff requested a public hearing on those ordinance revisions for Sept. 24, 2024 at 9:15 a.m.
The board read the resolution aloud and approved the formation and related procedural steps by roll call. Commissioners noted the county had worked with Brown County leadership on the change and that the decision followed months of discussion. The resolution directs staff to complete statutory filings and to proceed with appointment and operational steps required under state law.
