Title
Authorization to Accept Funds from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services through the Environmental Public Health Tracking Program’s “Taking Action with Data” Grant Program for the Take a Hike, Not a Tick Project (2026 BOH RES-023)
Body
WHEREAS, Public Health Madison & Dane County (Public Health) seeks authorization to accept funds of $10,000.00 from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) for the Take a Hike, Not a Tick: Building Tick Awareness Infrastructure in City and County Parks project; and
WHEREAS, In the Spring 2026, Public Health collaborated with the DHS Vector-borne Disease Unit and piloted three (3) Tick Check Stations throughout City of Madison and Dane County Parks; and
WHEREAS, Public Health Madison & Dane County was awarded $10,000.00 through the Environmental Public Health Tracking Program’s “Taking Action with Data” grant opportunity to support expanded tick‑related outreach and education in Dane County; and
WHEREAS, Public Health will use these funds to build on its pilot Tick Check Stations and collaborate with the City of Madison Parks and Dane County Parks to identify additional station locations; and
WHEREAS, the funds will also support development of a comprehensive outreach plan for Spring 2027, strengthening of bilingual educational materials, and planning for data product development such as a potential tick dashboard; and
WHEREAS, these activities will help address the rising Lyme disease burden and increasing tick activity documented in Dane County;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Health for Madison and Dane County on behalf of Public Health Madison & Dane County hereby authorizes the Director of Public Health, or their designee, to apply, sign the agreement, accept and expend the funding, and amend the 2026 Public Health Budget by $10,000.00.
Drafted by: Adrianne Bonow & Brandon Macomber
Introduced: 05Aug2026