Benton County public-health officials informed the board that the Service Area 6 Federal Emergency Preparedness (FEP) grant award for fiscal year 2026 has been reduced to about 70% of the anticipated amount, and that county health staff will hold spending conservative while awaiting federal decisions on the remaining funds.

“Originally the service area as a whole was going to be awarded about $580,000. Iowa HHS can now only guarantee a little over about $405,000,” the health department reported, adding that Benton County’s expected share fell from about $18,076 to a guaranteed amount “a little over $9,100” as of the July 1 notice. Officials said the region is awaiting potential federal action later in summer or early fall that could restore the remainder.

Public-health staff said they will “remain conservative with spending” because the fiscal year had just begun and no large supply purchases were planned. The department said when it receives final guidance from Iowa HHS it will inform the Board of Health and the Board of Supervisors.

On communicable disease monitoring, county public health reported there were no confirmed measles cases in Benton County at the time of the meeting. Statewide, Iowa had several confirmed cases and the county is in a monitoring phase. The department said it can provide MMR vaccination at no cost to anyone over age 1 and urged residents to contact the health office for flexible scheduling.

Public-health staff reiterated standard bite/quarantine protocols and said regional epidemiology support and state guidance remain available for case investigations.

No board action was taken; staff said they will report back when the federal funding picture becomes clearer.