Public health finance director previews 2027 budget; operating funds drop as infrastructure grant ends
July 11, 2026 | Fargo , Cass County, North Dakota
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Melissa Perla, public health finance director, presented the department's 2027 budget overview, highlighting revenue changes, grant awards and near‑term projections.
Perla said the operating budget is projected to decrease by about $153,000, primarily because a multi‑year public health infrastructure grant used for staff training and an enrollment specialist contract will end. "That is mainly due to two things: the public health infrastructure grant that we received a couple years ago ends next year," she told the board.
Funding sources and changes: Perla outlined the department's general funding buckets — Cass County support, state aid, federal and state grants, and fee‑for‑service/self‑pay revenues (including licensing, environmental services and clinical reimbursements). She said the department will request a 3% increase from Cass County for the general fund contribution and that state aid is holding level until the next biennium.
Grant increases and special funds: Perla reported several grant increases that will boost revenue lines starting July 1: a $3,000 increase to the Women's Way line, $6,000 to HIV funding, and a $159,000 amendment to the WIC grant that runs through September; the rural health transformation grant provides an initial $77,000 in the current period and then recurring rounds of roughly $80,000. She also noted special‑purpose funds outside the general fund, including opioid dollars supporting syringe services and a mammography fund for women's screening services.
Expenditures and capital items: Perla said some expense items — building repairs, harm‑reduction guest travel, and a new large plotter printer — were covered by grants or special funds. She cautioned that salary and benefit estimates were not yet finalized and would likely rise with step increases or potential reclassifications.
Next steps and presentations: Staff told the board the department will present more detailed budget material to the county commission during a July 20–22 workshop; the health department is scheduled to present its portion on July 21.
No formal budget adoption or binding vote occurred at this meeting; Perla requested questions and provided contact information for follow up.
Perla said the operating budget is projected to decrease by about $153,000, primarily because a multi‑year public health infrastructure grant used for staff training and an enrollment specialist contract will end. "That is mainly due to two things: the public health infrastructure grant that we received a couple years ago ends next year," she told the board.
Funding sources and changes: Perla outlined the department's general funding buckets — Cass County support, state aid, federal and state grants, and fee‑for‑service/self‑pay revenues (including licensing, environmental services and clinical reimbursements). She said the department will request a 3% increase from Cass County for the general fund contribution and that state aid is holding level until the next biennium.
Grant increases and special funds: Perla reported several grant increases that will boost revenue lines starting July 1: a $3,000 increase to the Women's Way line, $6,000 to HIV funding, and a $159,000 amendment to the WIC grant that runs through September; the rural health transformation grant provides an initial $77,000 in the current period and then recurring rounds of roughly $80,000. She also noted special‑purpose funds outside the general fund, including opioid dollars supporting syringe services and a mammography fund for women's screening services.
Expenditures and capital items: Perla said some expense items — building repairs, harm‑reduction guest travel, and a new large plotter printer — were covered by grants or special funds. She cautioned that salary and benefit estimates were not yet finalized and would likely rise with step increases or potential reclassifications.
Next steps and presentations: Staff told the board the department will present more detailed budget material to the county commission during a July 20–22 workshop; the health department is scheduled to present its portion on July 21.
No formal budget adoption or binding vote occurred at this meeting; Perla requested questions and provided contact information for follow up.
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