Board of Health - January 9, 2026 Minutes
Board of Health – January 9, 2026
The regular Meeting of the Board of Health of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in person at City Hall Commission Chambers at 12:00 p.m., on Friday, January 9, 2026.
The Board members present or absent during roll call were:
Present: Oliver Frenzel, Jim Kapitan, Meg Forde, John Strand, Valentina Asiedu, Bernie Dardis, Dr. Grant Syverson, Dr. Andrew McLean
Virtual: John Seifert
Absent:
Others: Jenn Faul, Holly Scott, Dr. Jessie Lindemann, Suzanne Schaefer, Cheryl Wavrin, Grant Larson, Kim Vance, Jan Eliassen, Jordan Joshua, Lori Sall, Lyn Welk
Introduction of Members
Introductions were made. The two new members introduced themselves. First, Oliver Frenzel is a Pharmacist with a specialty in public health and an NDSU instructor in the Department of Pharmacy and Public Health. He also works on opioid harm reduction initiatives affiliated with NDSU and sponsored by the ND Department of Health and Human Services, partnering with community pharmacies, home health organizations, paramedics, tribal communities and public health units throughout North Dakota. They focus on informational and educational initiatives, providing naloxone awareness and naloxone placement throughout the community. Second, John Seifert joined virtually. He is in the Army reserves in Minnesota currently. He received his master’s in public health and is currently a Physician’s Assistant at Essentia walk-in clinics.
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda
Mr. Dardis moved the agenda for approval. Mr. Kapitan seconded this motion. All members voted aye. This motion was declared carried.
Approval of Meeting minutes from October 3, 2025, meeting
Mr. Dardis moved the item for approval. Dr. McLean seconded this motion. All members voted aye. This motion was declared carried.
Health Officer Update
Dr. Jessie Lindemann reported on respiratory illness cases in Cass County. The numbers on the graphic are from the previous week; the current week’s numbers have gone down slightly. There have been two pediatric deaths from influenza in the state. One of the reasons the numbers are up is that vaccination rates are down. Vaccination rates have declined over the past five years. Reasons for declining immunization rates goes along with the increase in exemptions for vaccinations. We also have the subclade K, which was a variant that’s not as well covered as we had hoped with the current vaccine. We still do encourage vaccination for influenza with this vaccine this year.
The next topic is the new HHS childhood immunization schedule that was released on January 5, 2026. The differences recommended by HHS are shown on the slide. Instead of one recommendation, they have split the recommendation into three different categories: recommendations for all, recommendations for certain high-risk groups or populations, and recommendations based on shared clinical decision-making, are now in effect. This is creating confusion. These key takeaways came from Sherry Adams, the State Health Officer, that families should still be able to have access to all the childhood immunizations that are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). That currently there are no cost changes to these vaccines and that the underlying clinical evidence for the AAP and AAFP vaccination schedules has not changed.
There will be challenges ahead with this confusion. Dr. Lindemann would like to state the position of Fargo Cass Public Health (FCPH) that we would like to continue with evidence-based practices and continue with the AAFP and AAP vaccination schedules as we have previously recommended. Dr. Lindemann requested that the board show support for this stance. Ms. Faul states the reason we’re asking for support is that this is a departure from the normal procedure of following the CDC. The CDC changes were done without the guidance of ACIP and ACIP informs the Vaccine for Children and the Vaccine for Adults that we receive funding to provide. The ACIP meets in February and may make changes as they usually make recommendations to the CDC. FCPH is asking the board of health for support to move forward with the AAP and AFP guidelines for immunization in their policies and practices. Mr. Strand asks for a motion for support. Dr. Syverson moved the item for approval. Oliver Frenzel seconded this motion. The risk of following this path is political and potentially financial. Dr. McLean and Dr. Syverson agree that this is confusing because all these decisions should be shared decisions and so categorizing one group as a shared decision and others as something different just makes no sense. A roll call vote was taken. All members voted aye. This motion was declared carried.
2025 Year in Review
Fargo Cass Public Health Division Directors spoke about their division’s achievements. Jenn Faul, Director of Public Health, spoke about:
• Strategic Plan
• Purchase of AchieveIT software for strategic planning and a public-facing dashboard
• New Health Officer in May 2025, Dr. Jessie Lindemann, who also became our lab director
• We used state workforce grant dollars and the Cass County Commission approved spending unspent funds from our 2025 budget to purchase and outfit a mobile medical unit
• Participated in Red Hawks' salute to public service night
• Completed the Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan. MPH student, Maggie Ridl, compiled these reports
• Partnered with Family HealthCare to create an Enrollment Specialist position here to assist with getting people signed up for health insurance
• FCPH staff attended the First Annual ND Public Health Conference
• Launched the regional CredibleMind Mental Health platform for the southeast region
Suzanne Schaefer, Nursing and Clinical Services Director, spoke about:
• Launched the grant-funded colorectal cancer screening program; education and testing
• Outreach and rapid testing events for HIV and Hep C (Walgreens and Fargo Pride)
• FCPH became a moderate complexity lab again, awaiting our CLIA certification
• Madison Verghis, Ryan White Coordinator, has done many education sessions with community partners, high schools, and universities
Doug Murphy, Emergency Preparedness Regional Coordinator, spoke about:
• Provided logistics support to FCPH staff for events
• Assisted the Great Plains Food Bank in distributing food to 31 locations
• Hosted a drive-through event for Great Plains Food Bank and distributed food for 440 households
• 77 Hazmat incidents were responded to by Hunter Hubrig, EP Environmental Health Practitioner
• Conducted exercises for emergency preparedness with long-term care facilities
Grant Larson, Environmental Health Director, spoke about:
• Mike Hondlik, Office Associate III for Environmental Health, received the Rising Star award from the City of Fargo for his incredible work ethic, impeccable professionalism, and for promoting a positive work environment
• After a 14-year statewide campaign, legislation was passed to establish the first uniform statewide licensing and inspection program for on-site wastewater treatment systems in the state of North Dakota. As the acting president for the ND Environmental Health Association, Aaron Johnson, a FCPH environmental health practitioner, was present for the official signing of this legislation by the Governor of North Dakota.
• In addition to daily education provided during routine health inspections, we also conducted education and outreach activities that reached over 850 individuals. This extends from West Fargo and Fargo Public Schools to NDSU MPH programs as well as our industry partners
• Conducted almost 3,000 individual food inspections based on the FDA model food code to ensure safety and sanitary practices were implemented in our licensed food establishments;
• Conducted 2,918 routine pool water quality tests to enforce the water quality standards established by the CDC health code.
Jan Eliassen, Harm Reduction Division Director
• Winter warming is occurring, now seeing an average of 72 people per night.
• Initial phase of the Downtown Engagement Center relocation has occurred. The lease was signed the first of January, and renovations will hopefully start soon.
• Mayor Mahoney, in the audience, offered his input; he’s meeting with 50-60 businesses. The concept of referral and recovery center has been very well received. People recognize there is an issue in our community with homelessness and our health care partners are stepping to help as well. Statewide, we’ve had good support. Emily O’Brien’s going to help get some state funding. Kelly Armstrong, the Governor, is also very interested in helping us.
• Offered the new Licensed Addiction Counselor position for the WMU (this person will help expedite the process of getting people connected to treatment since a referral is needed for placement in treatment and other services.
• Hosted the “My Empty Chair” event to increase awareness of overdose prevention. About 70 people attended. This event is to raise awareness of overdose prevention, especially in youth.
• Hosted an international overdose awareness day event. The mural on the side of the building is the international symbol for overdose. It’s honoring the people that we’ve lost to overdose and recognizing that it happens everywhere. Every year, we offer people who have lost someone to an overdose the opportunity to put their name in one of the butterflies above the larger part of the painting.
• Had community outreach and education events as well as doing a significant amount of HIV and Hep C testing at that facility.
Jenn Faul, Acting Health Promotions Director, spoke about:
• In May, hosted the Spring Bike Rodeo to promote bike safety
• Hosted two youth action summits regarding tobacco use prevention and education
• Using grant funds, we partnered with Jefferson Elementary to support a community garden, teaching about gardening and providing bags of fresh produce
• Two turn-in events for the Great American Smokeout (one at FCPH and one at West Acres mall)
Suzanne Schaefer, Clinical and Nursing Services Director, spoke about:
• Immunization Coordinator, Cheryl Wavrin, has been working with local media to get the message out about the importance of vaccinations.
• Cheryl has also conducted immunization education at the rural Cass County senior centers and in collaboration with health promotion, provided education sessions for childcare providers.
• She also provides routine vaccine events to eight different locations that she goes to regularly, on a rotating schedule, weekly or monthly, whatever works for each of those locations to provide vaccines and additionally works to serve those in our home visiting programs to make sure vaccines are getting into our community
• Adult health and school nurses put together a “Leap N Learn” event at the Arbors at McCormick Park community, which is near our building. An event where our nurses engaged with the youth and worked with the community in crafts and physical activity.
• Implemented foot care clinics at one of our senior living communities in Fargo. We would like to expand foot care into our community as it continues to be a high need.
• Hosted back-to-school and flu shot clinics, collaborating with Family HealthCare for the back-to-school clinics. Had 30-plus events for flu shots in Fargo and Cass County.
• We responded to the detection of positive measles cases, developing a measles resource for community providers and a toolkit in partnership with Sanford, Essentia, Clay County, and Family Healthcare.
• Expanded our services with the Fargo Public Schools contract because of growing health needs within the school.
• Nursing staff hosted 38 nursing students for their public health rotations from Rasmussen, Concordia, and NDSU.
• Oral health program rolled out for providing fluoride applications during our maternal-child health visits.
• Expanded the Fit and Strong program. It is an evidence-based exercise and behavior change program primarily for older adults or those with lower extremity osteoarthritis. Along with promoting a healthy, active lifestyle, it has been found to have an important social component for the participants. We have one at First Lutheran Church, one at Sky Commons, and one at FCPH
Kim Vance, WIC Director, spoke about:
• Performed an immunization project with the nursing and immunization coordinator to provide information about whooping cough and vaccinations for all WIC clients.
• We did a study of 80 WIC kids aged 19-36 months who were behind in their TDaP vaccinations, and we were able to get over half of them caught up on their missing vaccines.
• Fargo WIC helped 4,300 pregnant women, infants and children in 2025, providing healthy food, education, and referrals to community services.
• During the government shutdown, HHS stepped up and was able to give extra funding to make sure that WIC services continued. During those two months, we assessed every WIC client, making sure they had enough food at home. We did many referrals and we think a lot of our clients benefited from the 440 food baskets that were distributed behind FCPH in November, along with recipes on how to use these items to make a meal.
• Hosted a USDA breastfeeding training for 20 staff from North and South Dakota. The staff had previously completed 27 hours of training and this was the hands-on teaching portion of it. All our Fargo WIC dieticians are WIC-designated breastfeeding experts.
• WIC continues to partner with Sanford Health to host the non-profit baby café at FCPH, where lactation consultants help moms with breastfeeding concerns. The baby café is available twice a week and there were 802 mom/baby visits in 2025.
Ms. Faul concludes that we had some fun on the way. Halloween, PJ day, and WIC tea were activities featured. The WIC tea is hosted by the WIC staff.
Overview of Strategic Plan
Our vision remains the same: to have healthy people in healthy communities. Our mission to prevent injury and to promote wellness and to protect our community health remained the same. Our value statement changed to include collaboration.
We work collectively with internal and external partners for the mutual benefit of the community through the sharing of information to improve health and support a strong public system. There has been tremendous collaboration with our external partners this past year. Our next value, innovation, is rooted in a commitment to finding creative solutions to complex social challenges. We continuously seek new knowledge and evidence-based approaches to create a lasting positive impact and serve our community more effectively. In excellence, we strive to provide the highest quality services through individual efforts and teamwork. With respect, we approach all people with significance, understanding, compassion, and dignity. With integrity, we act with consistency of character and are accountable for our actions. In service, we responsibly deliver our exceptional and comprehensive programs with a highly skilled workforce. We also have three focus areas:
Focus area one is community awareness and engagement. In the strategic plan, our goal is to aspire to create communities where everyone has access to quality health services, safe environments, and knowledge to make healthy choices. Focus area two is workplace culture. We aspire to create an authentic, respectful workplace culture that attracts, retains, and cultivates team members who align with the mission of public health. Focus area three is to have public health policy and advocacy. We aspire to be a leader in the state with innovative actions and measurable outcomes. Focus area four is to have a cross-divisional collaboration.
We aspire to leverage the collective expertise from each of our divisions to better serve our community. We are partnering with Essentia and Sanford. Essentia’s Resourceful program is something that helps us track our own internal referrals in addition to referrals out into the community.
Budget
Melissa Perala stated that there’s not much to comment on right now. We ended the year for expenditures at 95%. It will be slightly higher than that. We have about $500,000 in expenses coming through what we call period 13. That is still going to keep us under our budget for 2025. We have had a lot of adjustments to the budget. Finance has done some budgeting changes along the lines of natural gas, electricity, water/sewer, and liability. Those are changed as the year progresses. We made some changes when we received increases in our WIC and Ryan White funding. We spent more in the workforce grant. Changes in staffing with turnover decrease payroll because of the time lag it takes to get someone hired.
We are going to end up in a surplus with our revenue this year. Ryan White funding had an increase of $100,000. WIC was an increase of $100,000. The workforce grant was unknown what we would spend, but we did big expenses in that program, which was all reimbursed by that funding. State Aid was slightly higher than our projection because of the timing. Right now, we are showing 104%. Along with the $500,000 in expenses still coming, about $500,000 in revenue is also still coming. We’ve had higher medical expenses and higher pharmacy costs. We used the workforce grant to send a lot of our staff to conferences, which are reimbursed. We are still waiting to hear on the family planning grant. That’s a $200,000 grant, which we’re in the middle of right now, ending in March, and starts again in April. No official number on that one yet. Women’s Way had a slowdown, but that one picked up and is coming through now.
Dr. McLean asks about the rural health transformation money that’s coming into the state, the $200 million. Do you see that impacting your work at all? Jenn said she has worked with some of the SACCHO leadership to help craft a two-page informational sheet, basically of what public health does and what they’re looking to map over to the rural health transformation and how, with 28 public health units scattered across the state, we have the state covered. Based on how the rural health transformation is worded, we needed to have a new or significantly changed program to qualify for some of the funding. We’re not sure what we specifically at FCPH will be able to receive from that, but we have been participating with SACCHO in the advocacy of public health to have an opportunity to receive some of those funds.
Director Updates
Jenn Faul wanted to assure each of you on the board that we did not cut any services due to the budget cuts. We did end up saving money when we entered our 2025 budget season with a low number. General fund expenses for public health for this year were $7,809,369. With the revenues exceeding and the expenditures controlled, we arrived at a bottom-line general fund expense of $6,191,000 for a positive change over to the general fund of $1,618,000. We are continually working on the budget and are being incredibly frugal. We are also generating money from services that we can do.
Dr. Lindemann's becoming our lab director was a projected positive change of $60,000 to us annually at a minimum. We are not sending out labs or denying insurance claims because we are sending labs to third-party vendors. When we change billing codes in nursing services, we can create positive revenue. It ended up being $153,000 gained by changing a billing code. Adding the oral health program not only helps those we are serving, but it is also potentially profitable to the nursing division. The program can also cross over into our clinic division and potentially into our WIC program. The cost of the fluoride is approximately $1.50 and the medical assistance reimbursement for that several-minute swab is going to be about $29 per reimbursement. Providing them with good oral health hygiene and providing a service that’s needed but also providing a revenue stream for us. Nursing increased care by doing a foot care clinic as well. She wants to be clear about the syringe services program that is paid for by grant funding; it is not through Fargo taxpayers or through the general fund.
We are looking at a projected 2026 budget to be under again what we had projected for 2025. Our projected general fund budget for 2026 is $6,479,304. That’s about 43% of our overall budget. So that’s lower than it’s been the last several years. We are looking to be very financially responsive to the community and to continue to provide the services that we’re providing. We had an employee engagement survey that was done citywide and we at FCPH had a first meeting to discuss. Dr. McLean came to that, and we did a review of our results. Using the survey results we are working on a plan for improvement. We have offered an anonymous feedback platform through Survey Monkey using a QR code. We will review results as they arrive. We put up QR codes throughout the facilities and we will review feedback in the director’s weekly meetings.
John Strand challenged anyone on the dais to stand with the FCPH folks and have their backs and help the community understand what harm reduction is. Dr. McLean mentioned that, regarding the employee satisfaction meeting that he sat in on, was that he was astounded by the high percentage of staff responding that they like what they do. He was impressed by how they found their people. They have the mission and it’s a matter of making things better.
Dr. Syverson commented about all the great work FCPH has done this past year and that he really appreciates the stance taken on vaccination. Mr. Frenzel comments that he would also like to echo Dr. Syverson’s comments with regard to the outreach, the multi-faceted approach for the health and well-being of the Fargo community. To Mr. Strand’s comments with regards to harm reduction centers. It is a tough narrative and there’s a lot of stigma around it, but he thinks when we communicate with our peers and our social network about the benefits of harm reduction centers and syringe exchanges, it’s more of a support system. We must be cognizant that it is reducing infectious disease spread, HIV, hepatitis, etc. There’s also a much higher likelihood of individuals seeking treatment for opioid use disorder when they are visiting a syringe exchange site as compared to not. Mr. Strand thanked FCPH for its service and thanked the board for being leaders.
Jenn offered a special thank you to Jayme Steig and Dr. Nagpal. Jayme will continue to work with us in our tobacco prevention efforts. Dr. Nagpal was so incredibly helpful to us when we were working on the measles coordination this past summer. We thank them very much.
Mr. Dardis comments from the bike rodeo to immunization to harm reduction; it’s an impressive spectrum of which you do good work. Thank you, FCPH.
Meeting adjourned at 1:17 pm
Next Meeting: 04.10.2026