Clay County public health proposes 2027 levy request of $1.383 million, citing program realignments and grant shifts

Public Health Director Jessica Mickelson presented the county’s proposed 2027 public health budget, reporting a proposed levy request of $1,383,249 — described in the presentation as a $634,000 (31%) reduction from the 2026 levy. Mickelson said the change was driven largely by staff‑salary and benefit adjustments, the transfer of MN Choices work into Social Services and contract renegotiations that yield higher per‑member rates in some Medicare replacement contracts. She told commissioners the department had not been awarded a Drug Free Communities grant it had pursued and noted the clinic‑hours change (now Tuesdays and Thursdays) has increased utilization while reducing operating days.

Brandon Nelson reviewed program‑level shifts and grant allocations, highlighting that moving from a four‑county public health board to a two‑county Partnership for Health increased allocations in some grant categories. Nelson also called out a projected negative budget impact from contract changes (Medica replacing UCare) that reduced certain per‑member rates and estimated a $176,000 negative effect in one program area, while other program moves produced net levy decreases across multiple areas. Commissioners asked about retirements, backfill, clinic hours and community impact; Mickelson and Nelson provided clarifications and said staff will monitor utilization and grant outcomes as the budget proceeds through the process.